Zen

MODULE ONE: WHAT IS ECO DHARMA? Mari Rhydwen is a Zen Roshi and teacher for the Zen Group of Western Australia, writer and climate activist. Mari will introduce the concept of eco-dharma and explore the relationship between Buddhist practices, meditation, environmental issues and activism. We will discuss how Buddhist practices can guide us in facing […]

MODULE TWO: A SCIENTIFIC UPDATE A scientific update on the global ecological crisis and how climate change is affecting Australia Dr. Rosalie Chapple is an environmental scientist who has worked in conservation for 30 years. Rosalie teaches in UNSW Masters of Environmental Management Program & is Director of World Heritage Institute in the Blue Mountains. […]

MODULE 3: HONOURING OUR PAIN FOR THE WORLD Sally Gillespie did her Ph.D. research on the psychological effects of climate change and her latest acclaimed book is called Climate Crisis & Consciousness. Sally will speak about the range of psychological and emotional responses to climate change and ecological collapse and how we can develop more […]

MODULE 4: SEEING WITH NEW EYES AND DEEP LISTENING Subhana Barzaghi will share practices that open us to the insight of interconnectedness and inter-being to cultivate a compassionate response to suffering. The role of mindfulness in building resilience, renewal, inspiration, nourishment and regenerative work. Mari Rhydwen: In an age of constant chatter and argument via […]

MODULE 5: PRINCIPLES OF BEARING WITNESS AND COMPASSIONATE ACTION Subhana Bazarghi will outline the principles of non-violent action and the 3 Tenets of the Zen Peacemaker Order; not knowing, bearing witness and compassionate action. Carol Perry is an Insight dharma teacher and social environmental activist who has been involved in a number of successful Northern […]

MODULE 6: ADDRESSING BIG PICTURE ISSUES Sue Holmes is an economist who worked for the Australian Productivity Commission, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and active member of Get Up. Professor Neil Gunningham is a social scientist at the ANU who has researched and written widely concerning climate change policy and environmental activism. […]

MODULE 7: LOW CARBON LIVING AND DEEP ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE This session will explore what effective actions you might want to take to avert a climate catastrophe. John Merson is one of the founding Directors of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute and has been a consultant to UNESCO, APEC, IUCN and the Australian […]

MODULE 8: GOING FORTH WITH MINDFUL COMMUNICATION AND WISE ACTION Carol Perry is an Insight meditation teacher and an experienced communication expert. She will offer a seminar on wise speech, communicating mindfully, and developing empathy in conflict and difficult situations. She will outline principles of how to have open dialogues with different stakeholders who have […]