TBA
Deep Ecology Weekend Retreat
Denmark Facilitators

Inspired by John Seed and Joanna Macy, we plan to offer regular Deep Ecology Retreats at the Centre with local experienced facilitators.  Contact us if you're interested in being part of this program.

"The central idea of Deep Ecology is that we are part of the earth, rather than apart and separate from it. 

This idea is in contrast to the dominant individualism of our culture, where seeing ourselves as separate from our world makes it easier not to be bothered by what's happening in it.

This century, two key ideas have emerged out of scientific thinking that support the view of ourselves as part of the earth. The first idea comes from Systems Theory and the second idea is called The Gaia Hypothesis.

Systems Theory sees our world in terms of 'systems', where each system is a 'whole' that is more than the sum of its parts, but also itself a 'part' of larger systems. For example, a cell is more than just a pile of molecules and itself is a part of larger systems eg. an organ. An organ is on one level a whole in itself, but on another, it is a part of a system at the level of an individual person. A family and a community can both be seen as 'systems' where the 'parts' are people.

The Gaia Hypothesis takes this idea further and applies it to the whole planet. All of life on earth can be seen as whole that is more than the sum of its parts, this whole being like a huge super-lifeform that we call 'Gaia' (after the name for the ancient Greek goddess of the earth). Living systems have a tendency to keep themselves in balance but also to adapt and evolve over time. Scientists have found that the earth also has these tendencies, with feedback mechanisms to 'keep in balance' the temperature and oxygen levels of the atmosphere, just as our bodies maintain the temperature and oxygen levels in our arteries.

The Gaia Hypothesis is stating that the earth is alive and that we are part of it. This is something that many cultures have known for centuries." - Chris Johnson

"We are part of the earth and it is part of us" - Chief Seattle, North America, 1854.

Testimonials for John Seed's Deep Ecology Workshops
Venue: Centre for Sustainable Living
Cost: TBA Worktrade: Available by negotiation
Enquiries & Bookings: csl@denmarkcsl.com.au or phone (08) 9848 3310