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Join us as we explore the creation of vibrant, local economies with a radically different paradigm—a paradigm that focuses on meeting real human and ecological needs through our ties to community and nature – through an ‘economics of happiness’.

We’re gathering internationally-recognized leaders from the localization movement together with local leaders and activists for two days of plenary talks, panel discussions, workshops and tours on the global-to-local theme. Topics include the economics of local food systems, promoting local investment, social impact investing, workers cooperatives, mutual aid networks, closed-loop local systems, local currencies, and working together to create, as Charles Eisenstein writes, the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.

Highlights include tours of Agraria fields and barn, a preview of Jim Merkel’s film Saving Walden’s World and a closing performance by the World House Choir.

Presenters include:

• Helena Norberg-Hodge, Author and Director of Ancient Futures and The Economics of Happiness
• Charles Eisenstein, author of Sacred Economics and The Ascent of Humanity
• Michael Shuman, author of Local Dollars, Local Sense and a founding board member of BALLE—The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies.
• Jim Merkel, author of Radical Simplicity and Director of Saving Walden’s World
• Anthony Flaccavento, director of SCALE—Sequestering Carbon, Accelerating Local Economies
• Brett Joseph on Community Banking and Cooperatives

The event is co-sponsored by the local, 76-year old Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions, which is working to establish local and regional equitable economies through the lens of community, and Local Futures, a pioneer of the new economy movement, dedicated to the renewal of community, ecological health and local economies worldwide.

Join Science and Nonduality Conference (SAND) for a 5-day immersive experience where leading scientists, philosophers and spiritual teachers gather to explore a new understanding of who we really are, both as individuals and as a society. Join us for 2 days of pre-conference workshops followed by a 3-day conference filled with talks, panels, meditation, performances, music and dance.

Tao gives birth to one,
One gives birth to two,
Two gives birth to three,
Three gives birth to ten thousand beings.
~ Tao Te Ching

Quarks in an atom; molecules in a liquid; proteins in a cell; cells in an organism; neurons in a brain; people in a city; grains of sand in a dune; snowflakes in an avalanche; stars in a galaxy: when the many parts of a system interact, behaviors appear in the whole system that weren’t present in the parts themselves. These surprising “emergent” behaviors are what our universe appears to be made of, from the Big Bang, to the unfathomable complexity of Life, to the unimaginable future yet to come.

Biology isn’t applied chemistry. Psychology isn’t applied biology. Every scale, every level of abstraction brings its own universe of phenomena, complexity, questions, hypotheses, exploration and experimentation. The whole is not only greater than the sum of its parts, it is fundamentally different. Analysis and reductionism can only provide limited insights, never capture the essence of the indescribable.

Join us to contemplate who we are, as individuals, as societies, as humanity, as cosmos from the perspective of emergence, listen to what science and the timeless wisdom traditions can tell us, and surrender to the awe which emerges when the mind gives up.

Learn More…

The world is in a time of transition in its stories, in the deep mythology that runs our civilization. And many of us personally are in such a transition as well. Often, it is a crisis that initiates this transition, a breakdown in a core part of life: work, health, or relationship. For some, the breakdown happens in every area simultaneously: an initiation into a new phase of life

.In this transition, the old story of who we are, what is normal, what is possible, what is real, and how to live life falls apart, as we prepare to step into a new story of greater wholeness, love, freedom, and connection.

Before that happens though, most of us must pass through a special phase: “the space between stories.” The old answers no longer work, and the new answers haven’t emerged yet. Who am I? Why am I here? How do I navigate life? The ground has shifted beneath us.

This is a sacred time, though our culture gives it little breathing space as it seeks to corral us back into the old story. Sometimes, it is an abyss, dark, lonely, and seemingly endless. Other times we find a ground beyond story, a security entirely independent of predictability or control, and we are filled with light and serenity.

We may experience amazing synchronicities that defy what we were told about how reality works. Sometimes we may cling to the sinking fragments of our old story, trying in our panic to climb back onto it; sometimes we have an experience that foretells a new story, a promise of the life that awaits. All of this and more is quite normal, in the space between stories

.This retreat is designed to provide the validation and support that our culture withholds to those going through this special time.

Please consider joining us if you…

1. Are navigating the space between stories right now
2. Recognize you are still in an old story that is no longer able to hold you, and you perceive that it is coming to an end.
3. Are recently emerged into a new story but still uncertain there, and the space between stories is still fresh in your mind.
4.  You feel an unreasonable Yes toward this retreat!

The price of the course includes accomodation, breakfast and transfers.  You will have an opportunity to make a contribution directly to Charles at the end of the workshop for tuition.  You will choose the tuition that feels right to you, from a sense of gratitude, propriety, and value, considering of course your own financial means. The Venue:

Montserrat Monastery is a Benedictine monk retreat about an hour’s train ride, northwest from Barcelona city.  We will be staying at Hotel Abat Cisneros situated in Montserrat Monastery itself.

The Hotel Abat Cisneros has provided accommodation for Pilgrims since its original construction in 1563. The simple accomodation lend itself to quiet meditation/contemplation, the background noise is simply the Monks choir or Church bells.

As the rooms were provided primarily for spiritual retreats, there are no double beds, and mainly have twin beds – you have the option to pay for a single room if you’d prefer a room to yourself.

All rooms have bath or shower, satellite television, telephone and free internet access is available in the lounge area. All transfers (to and from Barcelona airport) and breakfast is included. You will be able to buy lunch and dinner in one of the restaurant and cafes in the area (there is a restaurant in the Hotel as well).

Once your place has been confirmed we will advise you on flight booking and insurance details.

You will purchase flights and insurance separately. Once your booking has been confirmed we will contact you. All deposits are non-refundable.

If you have any queries then please call Venetia in the office on 0207 287 6711 or email me atVenetia@alternatives.org.uk.

The Invitation

In an era of uncertain ecological and political futures, Robert Hall, GEN Europe’s Council President, invites participants “come and network with Europe’s grassroots change-makers. Join us to learn ways of increasing your happiness while being of greater service to humanity and the planet.”

Program

This years theme is Conscious Happiness: Living the future today. Solidarity, Resilience & Hope. We know that a more beautiful world is possible, and we will explore this together as in communal living topics such as the sharing economy and social currencies, food sovereignty, renewable energies, non-violent communication, group facilitation, governance models, collective and consensual decision making, bio-architecture and ecological activism. And of course a lot of community glue activities.

The people that walk their talk will share experiences and know-how, mostly through workshops and talks but also through art, music, dance, film and exhibitions.

Round-table talks, documentaries, and presentations from the ecovillages themselves – new and old – are also year-in, year-out favourites. Morning activities to get into our lovely bodies, concerts, dance and music in the evenings to come together.

Join us to learn ways to live a richer life while being of greater service to humanity and the planet.

Learn More…

A transition is underway in the deep mythology that underpins our civilization. Many of us are in a personal transition as well, initiated by a personal or social crisis that launches us into a “space between the stories.”

In this space you ask questions that require deep reflection, like, “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” “What can I trust?” “How do I do this thing called life?” In this gap, where the ground is shifting beneath you, the old answers no longer work, and the new answers haven’t emerged yet.

In this retreat with philosopher Charles Eisenstein, you remove yourself from your routines, social environment, and cultural and personal narratives that so powerfully constrain your choices and take the time to shape what is real, normal, practical, and possible. In this empty space, a new story can crystallize.

Anyone who is looking for a slower, deeper, more authentic way to navigate life is welcome.

More Information
Enrollment is limited for this program; register early. Tuition covers the Omega portion of this workshop. If you wish, you will have an opportunity to make a contribution directly to the teacher at the end of the workshop.

The faculty recommends you read the following book in preparation for the course:

The More Beautiful World our Hearts Know is Possible by Charles Eisenstein
Things to Bring:
Closer to the start of the program, you will be provided with a list of things to bring with you to the course.

Schedule

SUNDAY
4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Check In (Rooms available after 5:00 p.m.)
7:30 p.m.–8:20 p.m. Welcome & Orientation
8:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Celebrating Community or Centering Into the Omega Experience

MONDAY
8:00 a.m.–8:45 a.m. Commuter check-in (if not checked-in the previous evening)
9:00 a.m.–Noon Workshop
2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Workshop

TUESDAY
9:00 a.m.–Noon Workshop
2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Workshop

WEDNESDAY
9:00 a.m.–Noon Workshop

THURSDAY
9:00 a.m.–Noon Workshop
2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Workshop

FRIDAY
9:00 a.m.–Noon Workshop
Noon–1:00 p.m. Check Out
The above schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the faculty.

Learn More…

Charles Eisenstein will speak on a gift economy as a part of the societal transformation that is taking place.

Read More…