Prologue

Zentauria (pronounced zen-tar-e-ah) was established back in 1463, as an experimental, multi-cultural community designed to foster the highest levels of human potential in the arts, sciences and esoteric spiritual practices. It was jointly founded by an eclectic consortium of European and Asian royalty, benefactors and patrons, on a remote island off the east coast of Africa. This location would serve as a neutral ground between the creative epicenter of Renaissance-era Europe and the spiritual nucleus of Asia’s deeply rooted Zen culture.

Part university, part think-tank, part mind/body retreat, Zentauria was intended to be the ultimate live/work environment for some the world’s most progressive thinkers, artists and spiritual practitioners. To this end, it would also serve as an inspirational hub for those wishing to study art, science or religion, join an apprenticeship or simply experience the ambience of a high-vibrational community. Ultimately, though, Zentauria would grow to become a strong but gentle beast with a mind of its own.

At the onset, the founders of Zentauria offered long-term residency to a select few from three distinct groups of people. First, there were the artists, or “Da Vincians;” those who had incomparable skills in the arts and/or sciences. They would be the life-blood of the community, embodying the Renaissance spirit of 15th century Italy. Then there were the monks, many from Asia’s Shaolin tradition, who were recruited for their devout spiritual practice and Zen influence. And finally, there were the warriors, brought in to police the community and protect the “investment” from any invading adversaries. They were among the world’s most accomplished combat specialists, enlisted from a cross-section of fighting arts traditions in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

This unlikely merging of Renaissance philosophy and Zen spirituality turned out to be famously harmonious. As this melting pot continued to churn and synergize, Zentauria would give birth to a vibrant, sub-culture movement known as “The Zenaissance.” And within a short decade of serving its initial purpose and being a revolving door to the world’s most highly-regarded artists, monks and warriors, Zentauria evolved into its own self-sufficient community, with quite an interesting and eclectic range of permanent citizens known as Zentaurians.

Initially, Zentauria was comprised of these three very distinct classes of people. But a profound mutual influence began to take place early on, and soon artists were studying martial arts, Zen masters were playing music or painting, and warriors were practicing meditation. Then, with each subsequent generation, there was an ongoing “mixing of the blood,” merging of ethnicities and refinement of ideals. Now, it seems that every present-day Zentaurian possesses some combination of attributes from the original artist, monk and warrior archetypes.

Through the centuries, the 50 square miles of island real estate that comprise Zentauria has changed ownership several times and survived a series of international political upheavals, only to emerge as its own autonomously governed country in 1763, the year of its 300th anniversary. It has also managed to represent human potential and self-actualization in a way that no other culture ever has.

Zentauria’s extreme isolation from the rest of the world has stemmed primarily from the rigid passport/visitation policies the country has consistently upheld, in an effort to preserve its utopian qualities. It has been nearly impossible to penetrate this community on any level, and this has given the island a hallowed mystique that has spawned more than a few pieces of Zentaurian folklore around the globe through the years. (By the way, “Zentauria” is the native name for the island and not how it would appear in certain world atlas listings.) More recently, however, policies have loosened, as some of the new leaders are more receptive to sharing their rich culture with the rest of the world…albeit on a limited basis. Accordingly, they have invited a few of the world’s brightest leaders, speakers and thinkers over to Zentauria with the intention of establishing a more global dialogue and a mutually beneficial exchange of ideas.

And so our story begins…

© 2009 Bobby Rock

 

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