FINDING THE LOST PATHS – nature-based work for cultural (r)evolution

FINDING THE LOST PATHS is an international training course aimed to people who consider themselves - or strive to become - agents of cultural (r)evolution and social transformation. Humans who, with their daily actions, are models in their community and leaders of the awakening and change in the world. People who are ready to turn their look inwards and explore everything – light and dark - that is in their hearts and souls.

PROJECT RATIONALE

Reconnecting with nature is fundamental to human and planetary well-being and to the future of the global ecosystem. In the last 2000 years, many people have been increasingly alienated from their natural environment. Humans have forgotten the language of Intuition, Mystery and the wild world and replaced it with the language of science and technology. Fewer and fewer people turn to the wisdom of Dreams, Natural cycles, the Cosmos and the Forest, and we fear them more and more. Nature which created us has become for humans a warehouse for goods and things

By offering an eight day intensive immersion program, we are creating a space for connecting with the wisdom of Nature, the forgotten ways of intuition, vision, dreams and the deep human connection with nature.

THE NEED

"Modern" culture is based on anthropocentrism - the belief that the human is the highest creation and everything else is inferior to them. Even some people have the power of privilege over other people. Strongly associated with this belief is competition and the pursuit of power and supremacy. The modern education system develops in children and young people a desire to be “the best”, to take part in competitive sports, knowledge assessments, tests, following the promises of success if you are better, faster, and richer. The mainstream understanding of success is being more than others.

This belief is the basis of human development in recent millennia (fuelled by science, education, religions, esoterics and the overall social environment).

Many of the crises and challenges we face - wars, intolerance, genocide, ecological catastrophe, mass extinction of species, social inequality, violence are a result of the narrative of Superiority, and the same is the case for many of the unhealthy behaviors: consumerism, entitlement, conformity and materialism.

RECONNECTING IN THE WEB OF LIFE

Re-establishing the connection of humans with the natural world is an essential step in solving many of today’s social, economical and health problems. Living connected with Nature means to be rooted in one’s deep purpose, somatic and emotional intelligence, wisdom of the heart and gratitude to all living and non-living beings of the Cosmos where we fully belong.

Raising the awareness of youth and social workers, psychologists, and educators about the ecological role of humans and humanity is a guarantee for the ecological awakening of future generations. Thus breaking the chains of (patho)adolescent life-destroying materialistic economy and evolving into mature adult life-enhancing culture of environmental justice, spirituality, compassion, acceptance.

AIM OF THE PROGRAM

To provide innovative ways and methods to provoke deep nature connection and eco-awakening, and take steps towards personal transformation in a more wholesome and connected way. It will also aim at empowering the participants to offer these methods to the various groups and individuals they work with and become agents of visionary change within their communities.

OBJECTIVES

• To develop new skills, competences and ideas in facilitating the development of deep nature connection;
• To develop participant’s knowledge in nature-based human development by learning and practicing the principles and models of eco-centric development;
• To provide an opportunity to experience a space of safety, intimacy, and profound connection in which personal exploration is encouraged and supported by community;
• To engage and guide participants through innovative processes of personal transformation aiming at eco-awakening;
• To inspire in the participants a shift in values and worldviews that will foster a deep nature connection, empathy to all creatures and a sense of oneness with the natural world;
• To support participant’s connection to their sense of responsibility for the environment and Earth's future.