Householders Yoga
Deep Ecology
“Deep ecology looks at the spiritual disease that underlies the environmental crisis: the illusion of separation between humans and the rest of the natural world… In order to nourish our ecological identity, Naess called for the development of community therapies “which heal our relations with the widest community, that of all living beings.” — John Seed
Deep Ecology takes an Earth centred view rather that a human centred view. The term Deep Ecology was coined by Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess who stated, “We must find and develop therapies which heal our relations with the widest community, that of all living beings.”
The experiential deep ecology processes created by Joanna, Macy, John Seed and others are community therapies where humans sit in circle together, to honour their pain for the world and connect deeply with each other and all life.
I came across Deep Ecology through my activist work. After meeting John Seed and participating in one of his powerful immersive workshops, he invited me to facilitate one with him and has continued to be my mentor and friend since that first introduction in March 2023.
I continue to facilitate alongside John and other facilitators of Deep Ecology and consider it to be one of the most powerful medicine journeys I have ever experienced. It is a deep remembering that we are not separate from other beings, but equal.
The Deep Ecology immersion weekends follow the spiral from 'The Work That Reconnects' transforming despair and overwhelm into inspired, collaborative action. The spiral begins with gratitude followed by honouring our pain for the world. There are then two processes, 'The Council of All Beings' and 'The Cosmic Walk', that open us up to seeing through new and ancient eyes. On the last day we complete the spiral through a sharing circle followed by 'Going Forth' which is where we state what we each will contribute to 'The Great Turning'. The great turning is a concept that describes the transformation from an industrial growth society to a life sustaining civilisation, emphasizing that humans have the technology and resources to create a sustainable and equitable world.
If you would like to experience Deep Ecology, you can see John Seed's schedule. Alternatively reach out to me to host an event on your property or community space. I can organise facilitation for one of the processes or the full immersion.
Upcoming
Event
Deep Ecology workshops typically cater for adults of all ages, and we would like to make this event more intergenerationally inclusive by welcoming the kids in. This will be an opportunity for them to express themselves, connect to nature and value their ecological identity.This workshop aims to model and encourage safe sharing of anxiety and other emotions while reminding all participants of their ecological identity. It will engage all family members with a series of both serious and fun activities that will be therapeutic and enlivening for all.We will follow the spiral of The Work That Reconnects beginning and ending with gratitude.The second process- Honouring Our Pain for the World will be carefully guided to ensure adults don't overshare and it is a safe container for young people to express their feelings. When we talk about our feelings we release the anxiety, fear and/or grief and then walk lighter in the world. This process will also hopefully improve the culture of sharing within each family when they return home.The third part of the spiral is Seeing with New Eyes which involves mask making and attending a Council of All Beings.We will then move to Going Forth which is an opportunity to consider positive possibilities for the future through dramatic play.