Past Events

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 an ecological crisis that threatens all life on earth. Subhana Barzaghi is a Zen Roshi, Insight Dharma teacher, Director of the Insight Meditation Institute and…

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. This session will be an opportunity to educate and update ourselves about the current climate change situation, its impact, projections, the status of the ecological…

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 resilience. Developing awareness of ecological threats and destructions can stir both eco-anxiety and grief. The more we talk about all of this, the more resilient…

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 social media, listening deeply is a practice encouraged in many of the responses to our current situation. Mari will speak about Aboriginal practices such as…

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 Rivers environmental campaigns. Carol will outline the 4 roles of the social activist and the importance of the positive rebel. Mari Rhydwen and Gerard Mazza…

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. In addition to personal actions, the earth needs governments to implement ambitious policies if a climate catastrophe is to be avoided. Only Governments are able…

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 Department of Foreign Affairs. John will outline practical actions that individuals, households and community can take for low carbon living. We will discuss the moral…

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 different views. Mari Rhydwen and Sage Ellis will talk about building and maintaining community. In times of existential threat, community is essential. How do we…