Timeline

Joost – in 5 years 30NOW

Five years ago, Dirk asked me to set up an online meditation platform together. I was skeptical at first, but his enthusiasm, entrepreneurial spirit and optimism made an impression. “We can just try it and see how it goes,” I thought. That decision led to a special collaboration.
Now, thousands of text and voice messages between Enschede and Nijmegen later, I look back with gratitude. What always strikes me is Dirk's dedication. Often in the morning I see that he has been busy until late at night finishing a course page or solving a technical problem.
Two moments stand out for me. During the first lockdown in 2020 we started daily live meditations. I recently found an old meditation called 'Hard lockdown, soft login'. It was a time when we were able to support many people.
And then the recordings of our first live course: together with Bart van Melik, in Dirk's attic, with a real cameraman. In one day we recorded six dharma talks. I still remember how I brought several changes of clothes!
I am extremely grateful to the teachers from Buddhist Netherlands and Belgium, who were willing to contribute from the beginning. The positive reactions and involvement of participants are still the greatest source of inspiration for me.
I look forward to the next five years with great confidence and enthusiasm!

Dirk – in 5 years 30NOW

With 30NOW is a great wish expressed—and it feels like that wish is constantly being realized. It started in 2017 with the idea of ​​a 30-day program, so that everyone could discover in an accessible way what meditation can do for them: thirty days of living in the 'now'. Early participants may still remember that very first video?

Due to the corona period, the offer has grown further, the daily live meditations became a central force in addition to the various courses. For me personally, 30NOW a huge enrichment. I still remember how touched I was by the first warm messages, in which participants indicated what 30NOW meant to them—and that gratitude continues to touch me. It is and remains a privilege to be the founder of this platform.

Before 30NOW could really get started in 2019, an intensive preparation period preceded it. The focus was on determining the direction, with essential questions such as: what will be 30NOW yes, but especially also what not? In addition, it took a lot of time and attention to lay the technical foundation, design web pages and work out numerous texts.
One of the biggest challenges was financing. Many start-up online organizations need external financing, but that often comes with demands, such as expectations around growth and financial results. That can put pressure on and make it difficult to make choices that really come from the heart. I am very happy with the fact that 30NOW to this day is fully funded by its members.
Another indispensable factor is my collaboration with Joost. We have been working together intensively for five years, actually daily. We complement each other and, where necessary, we undoubtedly contradict each other. In major decisions that are part of a growing meditation platform, a strong emotional connection is needed in addition to rational agreement. It is special to experience that we are often on the same page in this, which means that we can often determine a clear direction with few words.

Our characters, qualities and passions match remarkably well with what is needed to 30NOW to flourish. Sometimes it feels like the two of us are doing the work of five people, and yet it remains relatively effortless. Joost focuses primarily on the offering; the wonderful team of supervisors is largely thanks to him. I take care of the technical basis—the website, the e-mail communication and the technical support. In addition, we share the dreams, the courage and the perseverance to take new steps every time and to keep adjusting the direction where necessary. It keeps us incredibly inspired and motivated.

I am truly grateful to our guides, members, daily participants and especially Joost that we can do this together, every day again. Let us continue to walk the path together: a path with hills, sometimes loose sand, countless flowers and a beautiful view.

Many thanks to everyone.