It’s now only two months until the International Holistic Centres Gathering – The Network of Light – an occasion when many different centres, often from different cultures, speak openly, honestly and warmly of their experiences, lessons, hopes and concerns. In this way, we deepen our sense of the worldwide movement towards holistic, spiritual and ecological awakening, and find inspiration and community in the often hard won wisdom of others.
Invitations have been sent far and wide and we now have participants coming from communities and holistic centres in the USA, (including Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington and New York), Canada, Spain, Greece, Denmark, Poland, Russia and India. They represent a diverse range of spiritual traditions, business models and environments, one a remote retreat centre, another completely off the grid, and a third located in one of the busiest cities in the world!
Our Community Exchange partners Auroville and Cortijo Romero are attending and we’re encouraging Esalen, Zegg, Damanhur and Tamera, amongst others to join us. The Gathering is an opportunity too exciting to miss and promises to be the most international mix in its thirty-year history!
Many of the Centres who wish to join us need financial support. The Findhorn Foundation is offering generous bursaries for many of them, and we are searching for additional funds for the remaining costs. Ecologia Youth Trust has been active in raising funds for its partners to attend the Gathering, including the founder of Kitezh Children’s Community in Russia, Dmitry Morozov, and two colleagues.
We are also seeking funding for three people from our partners in South East Asia and welcome your support and ideas to make their participation in the Gathering possible.
THAILAND
Na, previously a Buddhist monk for 20 years, is a resource person in the Spirit in Education movement and currently designing a holistic education centre in rural Thailand. He has a keen interest in process work, engaged spirituality and coaching and leads many workshops drawing on these skills as well as his deep experiential knowledge of Buddhism.
BURMA (MYANMAR)
Naw Aung is the Director of Tamarind Valley Community an exciting initiative emerging outside Yangon (Rangoon) that focuses on Holistic Education. Naw Aung is a writer from the Kachin Christian Community. He is greatly involved in the active Green Networks in Burma and is the key person behind the regular Green Memo Newsletter that supports Green Movement in Burma and beyond.
LAOS
Sisouvanh Chanthalangsy is the Assistant Manager of Suan Mai Laos, a holistic leaning community under PADECT a Laos NGO working with youth. Ms Sisouvanh has devoted her life to social change and has great potential as an emerging young leader in holistic education.
We need approximately £4135 to pay for their airfares, visas and the balance of their conference fees. If you can help we will be immensely grateful. Please contact either:
Christine Lines, Gathering Coordinator christine.lines@findhorn.org
Liza Hollingshead and Jane Rasbash, Ecologia Youth Trust info@ecologia.org.uk
We welcome your enthusiasm and support ~ Thank you!
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