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De Gaarde |
Learning center for live in relationship |
in het nederlands
De Gaarde
De Gaarde is a learning center for Ecological Living. We live a spiritual vision in which cosmos and Earth are revered as a primary revelation of the Divine. It underpins all the work we do, our relationship with Earth and nature and all life.
After nine years in Udenhout on a small farm, is De Gaarde since early 2009 located in Berkel Enschot in a small cottage. It is a village near Tilburg, in the South of the Netherlands. Here is space for encounter, meditation, library and an office. From here we organize our activities and work together on the further development of De Gaarde Foundation and her mission.
De Gaarde started in 1999 and developed into a foundation in 2003.
The goal of De Gaarde Foundation ( mission Statement) is to promote ecological awareness and to contribute to a renewed relationship between humans and rest of the Earth-community.
The vision of De Gaarde is grounded in the New Story of Creation. The insights of the New Sciences in the cosmic order and the wisdom of Earth's functioning, are the context of our commitment to the preservation of the whole Earth community. It is for us a source of inspiration and a guideline along our way.
“De Gaarde” is an old Dutch word for a place with lots of trees. It refers to the first Garden of creation, where people learned how to live in harmony with all life. We are aware that our time needs “new gardens” where people can learn and experience again how to live in harmony with the whole Earth- community.
We are convinced that we need a new vision in working towards a real sustainable future for Earth and her life. The consciousness that guided our actions so far has brought humankind in the middle of the present serious ecological crisis. This consciousness cannot give us the light and the new perspectives to solve those problems.
We want to look further than the present situation and we are more than the dedicated problem-solvers of our age. We are creators of new ways of inhabiting the Earth. We look for a relationship with Earth and her life that is harmonious and beneficial for all.
De Gaarde Foundation works towards realization of this goal:
- By promoting a deepened and broadened spiritual consciousness
- By promoting a more sustainable life style
- By dealing with all creation in respectful ways
- By promoting more awareness about ecological justice and security.
To deal with the ecological crisis is a matter of heart consciousness and asks for a spiritual way of life. We share a vision of hope, while we look with open eyes and heart into the critical situation of Earth and her life at this moment in time. With Thomas Berry, historian of cultures, geologist and eco-theologian we dare to believe that we are not lacking the creative energy to shape the future. We know that we are guided and supported by the same powers that brought cosmos and Earth into existence.
All around us - in many of us individually and in groups - spiritual ecological awareness emerges.It brings people together, makes us realize what is happening to the Earth and evokes the conviction that not more destruction of life is going to take place! We become aware of the call of the Earth herself; to come home and work with her towards her healing and restoration.
In that way a community of dedicated and committed people has grown. We are soul-mates and earth-pilgrims on a common journey.
We envision life in abundance for the whole community of life on Earth and commit ourselves to this future.
- We honor and respect Spirit, God, the Source of all life.
- We learn from each other and together in circles of wisdom and compassion.
- We believe that each conscious choice for life matters for the Whole.
- We search for a lifestyle that leads to more ecological justice and security for all beings now and of the future.
- We respect the primary right of creatures and of the non-human world to fully blossom in their integrity and life purpose.
- We grow in living our life in the context of an evolving universe and Earth.
- We perceive and live our call in life in that perspective.
We realize that we are all learning all of our life in the school of Mother Earth. If you feel this also , you are invited to work with us with your creativity and wisdom and contribute to the Earth- wide process of growing consciousness and transformation. Let us share our love and passion for Mother Earth!