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De Gaarde |
Leerplek voor Spiritueel Ecologisch Leven
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De Gaarde
De Gaarde is a learning center for Ecological Spirituality. We live a spiritual vision in which the Earth is revered
as a primary revelation of the divine. It underpins our work in this place, our dealings with nature and all of life and the many courses and other activities that take place here.
De Gaarde was before home to a family of small farmers. Now the family has gone, this place is cared for by a group of like minded people. It is a small place, as in our country we do not have vast pieces of land. Yet in this limited place we have so many spiritual experiences and learning activities.
De Gaarde is situated at the outskirts of the small town of Udenhout, about 8 km north of the city of Tilburg, in the south of our country, The Netherlands.
“De Gaarde” is an old Dutch word for a garden with a lot of trees. Yes, De Gaarde is such a place. The garden symbolizes however the place where according to the Biblical Story of creation, the first humans were placed to
live in harmony with all of creation and their God.
Our time needs new “gardens”, where people can learn how to live again in harmony with the whole Community of Life, now life on earth is so threathened.
We're at a moment where there are no guarantees as to the Earth's future.
It's a question of our own critical choices. And I think what we're deeply in need of is a transforming vision....
A vision that opens the future up to hope."
Miriam Mac Gillis, OP, co-founder of Genesis Farm, from "Fate of the Earth"
photo B.Thissen
“De Gaarde” is a story; a process of growing consciousness in people in ever widening circles. We realize the crisis the Earth and all of life is in.
We know it and we look for ways how we can deal with this awareness in our daily life.
We question what our possibilities are to contribute with our giftedness, towards a fundamental change in the world.
We are more and more convinced that each of us can contribute something and that we are not powerless.
All who feel connected to De Gaarde ( since 2003 Foundation De Gaarde) search for a vision, sources of inspiration,
knowingness and knowledge to find a what can motivate us to live a life that is more and more in harmony with the rest of the Community of Life.
De Gaarde invites you to search together for ways to live an ecological-spiritual vision and lifestyle. And to contribute by the gift of our lives to a more sustainable and peaceful world.
The Ecological- Spiritual Vision of De Gaarde
We name the vision of De Gaarde “ecological” ( literally: knowledge of the house, our environment) , because we are deeply concerned about the fate of the Earth and the whole Community of Life.
Daily we are confronted by the endangered situation of the ecosystems and the environment and the effects on the life of all sentient beings on Earth.
We realize that one of the contributing factors is; the lack of consciousness of our belonging to the whole Web of Life and the consequences this has for our way of life.
We agree with Albert Einstein, that the consciousness that created the existing problems can never bring forth the solutions that are badly needed and more and more urgent.
What is needed is a new vision, a new consciousness. Ervin Laszlo speaks in a recent article about the need to enter a state of altered awareness to be able to find solutions. This can be done by going into deep meditation and prayer.
Goal of Foundation De Gaarde ( Mission Statement)
- The goal of De Gaarde Foundation is to promote ecological awareness and to contribute to a renewed relationship of the humans and Earth.
“The Great Work of our time is to carry out the transition from a period of human devastation of the Earth to a period
when humans would be present to the planet
in a mutually enhancing beneficial manner” Th.Berry
Foundation De Gaarde works towards realization of this goal:
- by promoting a deepened and broadened spiritual consciousness.
- by promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.
- by more respectful dealing with all living beings.
- by promoting more awareness about ecological justice.
With our life we want to stand guard for the Community of Life and to keep her for future generations.
We work together with all people of good will, irrespective of religious or philosophical backgrounds.
We consider the vision of De Gaarde Foundation to be spiritual ( literally; ”concerning the soul”) because we see the recent crisis of Earth and humans as a spiritual crisis; a crisis of values, motivation, visions, of soul.
It is our conviction that real change and a great turning are the fruits of spiritual renewal and new values.
The core of spirituality is openness for the connectedness to the Whole of Life, and the awareness to be a part of a greater Whole. Ecological Spirituality is the foundation of the vision of De Gaarde.
“Ecological Spirituality is a worldview, a vision of life that sees planet Earth
as one holistic system.
Total harmony in all its dimension is strived for. It results in “just” relations with our planet Earth, other humans, with our inner self.”
Mc. Phee 1996
Every person has an ecological call; that means to find an answer by one’s own life to live in harmony with the whole Community of Life. It is to know how to be “planet” in this time and age. The more we are conscious of this challenging task of life, the more we will participate in shaping the next phase of evolution by the use of our creative gifts. In each of us is knowingness about the next step in the evolution of the humans and the Earth.
A New Story about the Cosmos and all of Life is the foundation and frame of reference for our work and programs.
We take the words of Thomas Berry to heart, who says that if we have no story that gives meaning to our life, we have nothing to dedicate our life to. Here we find a key to the deep quest for meaning of so many that we meet here.
We find the foundations for an ecological Spirituality in the Ancient Cosmic Wisdom and Knowingness, in rediscovering the Divine Feminine and feminine wisdom and values, the classical cultures and religions and their wisdom, ( current) Eastern religions and their wisdom and the discoveries of the New Sciences in particular those of the current research in consciousness. They tell us that consciousness is the Source of Everything.
In De Gaarde we try to live as sustainable as possible in our given situation. Every contribution is given and received in connection to what is the best for the giver and for the receiver.
De Gaarde is made possible by the Society of Medical Mission Sisters ( www.medicalmissionsisters.org)
the fundraising group Vrienden van de Medische Missiezusters (www.vriendenmmz.antenna.nl) and other sponsors and benefactors.
De Gaarde functions to a great extend on contributions against minimal fees and of donated labour.
De Gaarde : a place for discovering, deepening and refreshing Ecological Spirituality and lifestyle
- In daily and monthly meditations and retreat possibilities. Open to everyone and free.
- In a restful atmosphere of working: for people who like to work in the garden and other places and find healing and integration.
- A specific documentation about Cosmos/Earth studies, Evolution, Ecological Life and Spirituality.
- A program of all sorts of courses and workshops around topics of quest for meaning, new worldview, growth-, healing and integration processes, Ecological Life and Spirituality.
- A possibility to for a stay, related to study, retreat and program activities. Crisis management and longer stays for rest are not possible.
- There is network professionals to whom can be referred for all kinds of healing therapies, career counselling, holistic massage etc.
