Deep Ecology

The Convergence team

Course Description
For many people currently involved in environmental action, the belief that technology and the current economic and socio-political setup can solve our collective environmental predicament seems to be hopelessly naive. In this weekend course we will see how Deep Ecology, maintains that the root cause of the current crisis is to do with the way that people think and feel. Through workshops and sharing, we will explore ways in which we can deepen our perception of ourselves as an integrated part of the environment. We will explore the value of different aspects of nature outside of their relationship to the needs of human beings. The workshops will facilitate different ways of observation through a series of sensorial games, creative exploration through different medium, visualizations and relaxations, and projection and identification exercises.
By the end of the program participants will have gained an understanding of the essence of Deep Ecology and the movement that has formed around it. The focus of the workshops will be to facilitate a careful consideration of our own perceptions and ideas about our relationship with the rest of the "natural environment". As a practical application of the Deep Ecology principles, we will experience "The Council of All Beings", a ritualistic workshop which will help us to integrate our new perspectives. The Council of All Beings will help us to remember our deep connection with the Earth, and rediscover our priorities for action. During the workshop we will try to develop and experience empathy for the Earth and its plight, and by realizing that its pain is our pain, its fate our fate, we hope to find new clarity, inspiration and commitment. The day will provide time for quiet introspection, creative discovery and ritualistic expression where we will find a space to channel the energies released by despair and empowerment into facilitating a profound change to deep ecological awareness.

Dates and Times

Venue
Evergreen, Auroville

Registration
Registration forms are available on our website www.thepointofconvergence.org

or call 2623255/2622983 or write to creatingchange@thepointofconvergence.org

Presenter Bio
The Convergence team: We are 2 families, 9 residents, 5 adults, 4 children, it all depends on how you want to look at it. The 9 of us live at Evergreen in Auroville and are happy to welcome you into our home for Convergence. We come from India, South Africa, Israel, Canada and England with professional backgrounds as diverse as insurance, international development, ecology, yoga instruction and education.

Our staff is also an integral part of our family. We employ 4 people from nearby villages who help us with everything to do with the forest and our lives in it. Erumalai, Rajaswari, Kala and Kamla are integral to what we do and we feel blessed to be able to work with them.