*This is a non-profit workshop, 100% of the 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 a 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.

>>ABOUT YOUR FACILITATORS

▪︎John Seed is the founder of the Rainforest Information Centre. Since 1979 he has been involved in the direct actions, which have resulted in the protection of the Australian rainforests. John has written and lectured extensively on deep ecology and has been conducting experiential deep ecology workshops around the world for 25 years. In 1995 John Seed was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) by the Australian Government for services to conservation. https://www.rainforestinformat...

▪︎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 indigenous Shipibo people, and co-facilitated healing retreats with her partner Miraz.
She moved to Melbourne 4 years ago where she first encountered Deep Ecology through the workshops of John Seed and has been a passionate student and co-facilitator of this work ever since. https://deepearthdreaming.worl...

▪︎Miraz has diligently embodied the story of separation. He has wrestled demons of despair and shame in the spiritual vacuum of Disneyland, and lost many times.
He feels that there is something in this deep ecology stuff that is: true (like bird song or plant roots as they push up through the concrete)…so he continues to follow the thread.
With Skye, Miraz studied plant medicine in Peru and facilitated retreats for years. He also has a background in corporate law, dispute resolution and counselling. He feels that deep ecology is one of the ways we can address the ‘crisis of perception’ underlying the anthropogenic mayhem of our age. https://www.cicadiadepthpercep...

》DETAILS
Fri May 21st, arrival from 12pm to start at 3pm.
Ends Sun May 23rd at 4pm.

Camp Eureka 100 Tarrango Road, Yarra Junction Victoria 3797

Fully equipped kitchen to use with dining room, fridges and cutlery.
We will provide dinner on Friday and Saturday night. We are limited in our ability to cater to different food preferences and allergies so please bring your own food to supplement what we make if you need too, but vegan options will be available.

Please bring food to share for lunch on Sat and Sun (you will be responsible for your own lunch on Friday). You will be responsible for your own 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.php
We would like to encourage carpooling from Melbourne, so feel free to post to the Facebook event or email the organiser to arrange that.

》Workshop Fee:

Concession $140
Standard $220
Solidarity $300

>> Two scholarships available for activists or those of historically or currently disadvantaged groups, please message organiser to enquire about this option if you feel you apply.

*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/