Charles Eisenstein

The Invitation

In an era of uncertain ecological and political futures, Robert Hall, GEN Europe’s Council President, invites participants “come and network with Europe’s grassroots change-makers. Join us to learn ways of increasing your happiness while being of greater service to humanity and the planet.”

Program

This years theme is Conscious Happiness: Living the future today. Solidarity, Resilience & Hope. We know that a more beautiful world is possible, and we will explore this together as in communal living topics such as the sharing economy and social currencies, food sovereignty, renewable energies, non-violent communication, group facilitation, governance models, collective and consensual decision making, bio-architecture and ecological activism. And of course a lot of community glue activities.

The people that walk their talk will share experiences and know-how, mostly through workshops and talks but also through art, music, dance, film and exhibitions.

Round-table talks, documentaries, and presentations from the ecovillages themselves – new and old – are also year-in, year-out favourites. Morning activities to get into our lovely bodies, concerts, dance and music in the evenings to come together.

Join us to learn ways to live a richer life while being of greater service to humanity and the planet.

Learn More…

A transition is underway in the deep mythology that underpins our civilization. Many of us are in a personal transition as well, initiated by a personal or social crisis that launches us into a “space between the stories.”

In this space you ask questions that require deep reflection, like, “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” “What can I trust?” “How do I do this thing called life?” In this gap, where the ground is shifting beneath you, the old answers no longer work, and the new answers haven’t emerged yet.

In this retreat with philosopher Charles Eisenstein, you remove yourself from your routines, social environment, and cultural and personal narratives that so powerfully constrain your choices and take the time to shape what is real, normal, practical, and possible. In this empty space, a new story can crystallize.

Anyone who is looking for a slower, deeper, more authentic way to navigate life is welcome.

More Information
Enrollment is limited for this program; register early. Tuition covers the Omega portion of this workshop. If you wish, you will have an opportunity to make a contribution directly to the teacher at the end of the workshop.

The faculty recommends you read the following book in preparation for the course:

The More Beautiful World our Hearts Know is Possible by Charles Eisenstein
Things to Bring:
Closer to the start of the program, you will be provided with a list of things to bring with you to the course.

Schedule

SUNDAY
4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Check In (Rooms available after 5:00 p.m.)
7:30 p.m.–8:20 p.m. Welcome & Orientation
8:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Celebrating Community or Centering Into the Omega Experience

MONDAY
8:00 a.m.–8:45 a.m. Commuter check-in (if not checked-in the previous evening)
9:00 a.m.–Noon Workshop
2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Workshop

TUESDAY
9:00 a.m.–Noon Workshop
2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Workshop

WEDNESDAY
9:00 a.m.–Noon Workshop

THURSDAY
9:00 a.m.–Noon Workshop
2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Workshop

FRIDAY
9:00 a.m.–Noon Workshop
Noon–1:00 p.m. Check Out
The above schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the faculty.

Learn More…

Charles Eisenstein will speak on a gift economy as a part of the societal transformation that is taking place.

Read More…

 

We are on the brink of an ecological mega-crisis threatening the future of life on earth. Our actions over the next few years may well determine the destiny of our descendants. Radical futurist and philosopher Daniel Pinchbeck comes to the Rubin to discuss his latest book, How Soon Is Now?, with Charles Eisenstein. Eisenstein will bring to the discussion his contention that the dominant climate change narrative is actually part of the problem, rooted in the same underlying, unconscious worldview that generates ecological ruin. He and Pinchbeck will explore how the biospheric crisis will not be resolved by technological changes alone but that it demands a transformation in our systems, myths, and consciousness.

Read More…

 

This Gathering is full with a full wait-list.

The world is in a time of transition in its stories, in the deep mythology that runs our civilization, and many of us personally are in such a transition as well. Often, it is a crisis that initiates this transition, a breakdown in a core part of life: work, health, or relationship. For some, the breakdown happens in every area simultaneously: an initiation into a new phase of life.

In this transition, the old story of who we are, what is normal, what is possible, what is real, and how to live life falls apart, as we prepare to step into a new story of greater wholeness, love, freedom, and connection.

Before that happens though, most of us must pass through a special phase: “the space between stories.” The old answers no longer work, and the new answers haven’t emerged yet. Who am I? Why am I here? How do I navigate life? The ground has shifted beneath us.

This is a sacred time, though our culture gives it little breathing space as it seeks to corral us back into the old story. Sometimes, it is an abyss, dark, lonely, and seemingly endless. Other times we find a ground beyond story, a security entirely independent of predictability or control, and we are filled with light and serenity. We may experience amazing synchronicities that defy what we were told about how reality works. Sometimes we may cling to the sinking fragments of our old story, trying in our panic to climb back onto it; sometimes we have an experience that foretells a new story, a promise of the life that awaits. All of this and more is quite normal, in the space between stories.

In The Space Between Stories we will take a step back from our routines and social environment, and enter a liminal space. We will remove ourselves from the cultural and personal narratives that so powerfully constrain our choices and shape what is real, normal, practical, and possible. The empty space that results is the clearing in which a new story can crystalize.

In order to create a container of safety and trust, participation on this 5-­day retreat is limited to 30 people. The retreat takes place from November 5th – November 10th, 2017.

The cost of the retreat is self-­determined. You will pay for room and board at the gorgeous Esalen center, famous for its natural hot springs overlooking the ocean, and a $100 deposit to hold your place. At the conclusion of the event, you will choose the tuition that feels right to you — that feels clear, fair, and reflective of the value received, considering of course your own financial means.

Please consider joining us if you…

(1) Are navigating the space between stories right now.
(2) Recognize you are still in an old story that is no longer able to hold you, and you perceive that it is coming to an end.
(3) Are recently emerged into a new story but still uncertain there, and the space between stories is still fresh in your mind.
(4) You feel an unreasonable Yes toward this retreat!