Deep Ecology Weekend Workshop

*This is a non-profit workshop, all proceeds will be donated to rainforest preservation efforts by the Melbourne Rainforest Action Group (MRAG)*

We live in challenging and deeply uncertain times, where the words ‘climate emergency’ and ‘sixth mass extinction’ have hit the mainstream, and predictions of near-term social, economic and environmental collapse cause great concern for a growing number of people of all ages. The sickness of our culture has become hard to deny, and many of us feel alone as we hold within us the weight of the world.

So many of us are also expressing a longing to come into deeper connection with each other, to live meaningful lives and to feel ourselves returned to the circle of belonging within the wider Earth community. There is also a growing desire to participate in a collective shift towards a regenerative and sustainable culture, what Joanna Macy calls, The Great Turning.

In this body of work, we see the root cause of these converging crises to be the pervasive illusion of separation between humans and the rest of the natural world. By learning to recognize our interconnectedness we invite the spontaneous healing of the psyche and by extension, of the systems that were born from the deep split within us. We also come to understand the inseparability of personal, cultural, and ecological healing.

Engaging the transformative power of communal ritual, process, dialogue, poetry and music- we will create a foundation of radical gratitude, to honour and transmute the grief we are carrying for the Earth and our global family, explore new ways of seeing these difficult times, and seek meaningful ways to respond.

There are many hard things to face in our world today, but our pain is a sign that we are fully alive and connected to the web of life. If we want to contribute to a better world we must be willing to acknowledge and metabolize our fears and sorrows into inspiration, strength, and deeper purpose. Only then can we bring forward our unique gifts and shine a light into this dark night of the soul of humanity.

DETAILS

Fri November 29th, arrival from 5pm to start at 7pm.

Ends Sun December 1st at 4pm.

Camp Eureka 100 Tarrango Road, Yarra Junction Victoria 3797

Fully equipped kitchen to use with dining room/cutlery. We will provide dinner on Saturday night.

Please bring food to share for lunch on Sat and Sun, and something to contribute to dinner on Saturday night. You will be responsible for your own dinner on Friday night, breakfast each morning and snacks throughout the day.

Sleeping arrangements will be in cabins with mattresses or in your own tent if you prefer. Please bring your own bedding if using the cabins. For more info please visit: http://campeureka.org.au/using...

We would like to encourage carpooling from Melbourne, so feel free to post to this event if you have space in your car or you are looking for a ride share.

Workshop Fee:

Early Bird $120 before October 31st

Standard $150

*note, the last one booked out to the point of overflowing very quickly, so please don't leave it to the last minute if you don't want to miss out*

INTRO TO MRAG

MRAG (Melbourne Rainforest Action Group) is a grassroots working group affiliated with the Rainforest Information Centre. It was formed in 2018 as a response to RIC’s call out for support in growing a campaign to save Ecuador’s megadiverse rainforests in the Amazon and Western Andes from swathes of mining concessions, mostly held by Aussie companies and unscrupulous billionaires including BHP Billiton, FMG (Twiggy Forrest) and Gina Rinehart. If one single mine goes ahead, thousands of critically endangered species are at risk of extinction. These companies are also trampling on the rights of local and indigenous people living within their concessions. MRAG’s small team of volunteers have taken on the bulk of the work on the campaign. As well as fundraising to support Ecuadorian communities impacted by mining, MRAG conducts research and writes reports and media releases, all of which can be found at https://rainforestactiongroup.org/

ABOUT YOUR FACILITATORS:

Liz Downes has facilitated deep ecology practices and the Work that Reconnects for over ten years. She has worked closely with John Seed, who originated the work in Australia. As an activist, she knows exactly what it’s like to experience burnout, and therefore is passionate about the power of these processes as a personal and collective practice. She has a professional background in mental health and community development, and is also heavily engaged in volunteer campaign work, including for MRAG as an Ecuador liaison and communications officer.

Skye grew up on a farm in South Africa and spent her early years immersed in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation before going on to work as a wilderness guide. She then spent 5 years living in the Peruvian Amazon jungle where she was immersed in the study of traditional plant medicine of the Shipibo Indigenous people, and co-faciliated healing retreats with her partner Helm.

She moved to Melbourne 3years ago where she first encountered ‘The Work That Reconnects’ (Deep Ecology) through the workshops of John Seed and has been dedicated student of the work ever since.