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Participation
A visit and stay in HEAL: Haven for Ecological and Alternative Living
See also www.mms-heal.org
Staff house, dining room en kitchen hermitage
From the end of May till middle of August Elly Verrijt participated in the life and work of HEAL, a newly started centre for Ecological Learning in the province of Pangasinan( about 300 km North West of Manila) and the village of Villasis. In 2006 the Medical Mission Sisters were given two hectares of land and that was the beginning of this remarkable project.
Already for years in the MMS community there was the growing attention for healing in the context of the present ecological crisis and the challenges we are faced with. We as MMS community are part of the yearning of creation for wholeness and healing. We are part of a growing movement of people who care for Earth’s human and ecological community.
HEAL is a place where humans become more aware of the devastation we are unleashing in our time. People are awakening to their vocation as protectors and healers of Mother Earth.
It has been a great gift and a challenge to live and learn from the wisdom of the Earth in this beautiful place. The two hectares of land, are now the home for many animals and trees and plants. The first fruits are ripening and the place is being guided by the principles of permaculture. (See www.permaculture.org)Permaculture is a way of designing sustainable human settlements based on the principles of the Earth processes. It is about caring for people, caring for the Earth and redistributing surplus to one’s needs.
The space and the life on the land create possibilities to demonstrate an alternative way of living that touch the Earth more lightly.
- The facilities are built with renewable and native materials.
- Zero waste management is practiced and taught.
- Developing demonstration possibilities for solar energy, biogas ( in the process)
- Promotion of alternative healing modalities. There is a extended herbal garden developed already.
Heal is a learning centre and more and more groups and individual people find their way to this place. Be it for courses on permaculture, Earth camps, modules on Ecological Spirituality, retreats of groups that make use of the place for an immersion in nature.
And as the weeks went by, in the silence of the land it has been an ever deeper homecoming in the life of the Earth. A very personal process while working on the preparation of retreats on Ecological Spirituality and Living. The stay ended with several retreats in places of Philippines were MMS and their coworkers are involved. A true deepening and celebration of our call to witness to the integrity of all creation.
Participants seminars
I have felt deeply immersed in the abundance of life in Heal. I saw the night become morning with all the sounds that go with is, the rhythm of the moon, the sun warming up the day, the coming of the clouds and the heavy rains at times, the moments of intense stillness when even no blade of grass was moving. As if the whole Earth held her breath before the coming of the evening. It was a homecoming to the Earth herself, nothing so much of my doing, but more of her invitation.
I realized deeper than before that the experience of connectedness with the Earth is primary, working with her for healing is secondary and follows out of that.
If one can feel the love for and of the Earth than one does not burn out from feelings of powerlessness, fear for the future of life and sadness about all that is already lost.
To feel the love for the Earth in one’s heart is a place of great strength, vitality and passion. It is a place of seeing clearly into the wisdom of our Creator.
I am very grateful to the whole Community of Life in Heal that gave me a home!
Interested to know more or willing to support this developing place?
Email: ellyverrijt@yahoo.com.phSee also:
Participation 01-08-09
->Participation 01-06-09