By Jenyng Wu

Dear Friends,

I want to share something with you that I truly believe. The calamities of today hold the roadmap to the possibilities of tomorrow for holistic retreat centers.

This letter to you has been long in coming. Since Transitions – Part I was shared, Breitenbush was engulfed in flames. Yet, by the grace of Gaia and commitment of its community members, Breitenbush did not completely smoulder to ash. It will be rebuilt. The outpouring of support both energetic and economic has been heartwarming and healing for those who called Breitenbush home (both residents and guests). In the calamity of the loss, the roadmap emerging is one of community, rebirth and hope.

Last week’s community call was a welcome homecoming for me as it has been a while since ‘Meeting the Moment’, our virtual gathering in May. It feels like an eternity since we all pivoted from preparing to travel and gather at Esalen to connecting online as the world went into lockdown. And since then, our centers have been in a tailspin of truly meeting every moment. [Read more…]

Our friends at Damanhur joined several of the HCN webinars in the Spring and wrote to say, “The sessions have been very helpful for us as we, like so many, have been asked to adjust our daily activities and offerings entirely.”

Damanhur is a Federation of Spiritual Communities, with its own Constitution, culture, art, music, currency, schools, and uses of science of technology. Nestled in the alpine foothills in the north of Italy, it was founded in 1975 to create a fertile reality based on solidarity, sharing, love and respect for the environment. The people involved are open to expressing and exchanging their knowledge by way of life, events and trainings. They are delighted to extend an invitation to a special event that has been planned over the last few months.

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Hello and greetings, this is Peter Moore, founding president of the Holistic Centers Network (HCN). I write from Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat & Conference Center in Oregon, where I serve as Business Director of this particular holistic center. Breitenbush typically serves some 30,000 guests each year and is a place I have been involved with since 1978.

I write to share the exciting news of my successor, Jenyng Wu, as President of HCN. [Read more…]

During the Virtual Gathering in May 2020, various threads emerged encouraging each center to explore their origins and focus on their essence, as a guiding pathway to evolution. Inspirational speakers included voices from different centers and perspectives;

• The role of our centers hasn’t changed. How we fulfil our missions is in question – Terry Gilbey, CEO, Esalen
• We must look back at our origins as we look towards the future – Barbara Vacarr, CEO, Kripalu
• Focus on the essential – Rev. angel Kyodo Williams, Author, Radical Dharma
• Who are we serving? – Mike Rowlands, Chair, Hollyhock

These threads then wove together into one of the final sessions of the month long event; Origins, Essence and Evolution: Findhorn Foundation (FF) as a Case Study, as each center responds to this time of crisis and opportunity. This nine minute video offers a taste of the conversation as the FF looks towards its sixth decade and each center asks how can we emerge stronger? Pivoting to online offerings and exploring hybrid models – in person and virtual events – is key, as we deepen into our role, relevance and service to the world.
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At a time when the world is seeking ways to address deep-seated inequities, a new video featuring Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne shines a light towards a better humanity. Called the Gandhi of Sri Lanka, the video showcases Dr. Ari’s inspiring journey to create a sustainable peace in Sri Lanka. The video premiered at the Stone Soup Leadership Institute’s16th Sustainability Summit on June 26, 2020 and can be viewed here.
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THE AUGUSTINIAN SISTERS WILL WALK FOR 20 DAYS IN SUPPORT OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS

The Augustinian Sisters of Québec are initiating a movement to show compassion towards healthcare workers and caregivers, through symbolic walks that will take place daily between June 15th and July 4th 2020. The nine sisters invite the public to join the movement by financially supporting Le Monastère des Augustines and its Trust (Fiducie du patrimoine culturel des Augustines) in helping those who care for the sick and most vulnerable among us.

“The work accomplished by healthcare workers during this pandemic is unprecedented,” says Isabelle Duchesneau, Le Monastère des Augustines’ General Manager. “These frontline workers need our support. Since 2015 Le Monastère has offered a respite and wellness program that targets these dedicated individuals. We therefore call on everyone’s generosity to help us welcome even more dedicated healthcare workers and caregivers. Together, we can help traverse this difficult period as well as highlight the continuing importance of nearly 400 year old mission!” [Read more…]

As many of us spend more time in the virtual world and centers pivot to create supportive online offerings, we discover it is possible to share love, learning and connection in this way. Although online events will never replace the in-person experiences we love and value, there are silver linings to be found in the unexpected. In person and hybrid events will hopefully be possible in time to come. For now we share a range of tools, services and practices to nourish us during this time. We invite you to be in touch so we can expand upon the offerings shared below.

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The Open Center, the country’s longest running urban holistic health and education center, has announced the launch of New Yorkers for New York, a free public service created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. New Yorkers for New York will provide frontline and essential workers, as well as all other local residents struggling with stress and anxiety, the mental and emotional wellness support they need right now amidst the city’s current health crisis. The program will offer an array of free tools, resources and services to those working to keep our community healthy, safe and nourished. [Read more…]