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Nature & Providence
balancing the elements of a transitioning age
July 30 - Aug 12, 2027
Bali
Indonesia​​​​​​​
​​Look at the world and ponder a while upon it.
It unveileth the book of its own self before thine eyes
and revealeth that which the Pen of the Lord,
the Fashioner, the All-Informed, hath inscribed therein.
It will acquaint thee with that which is within it and upon it
and will give thee such clear explanations
as to make thee independent of every eloquent expounder.
~
~ Baha'u'llah, Tablet of Wisdom ​​​
Core Presentation:
The Universal Nature Wheel
History, Prophecy, Efficacy
​​​​​Part 1: History & Prophecy
Lee Brown, a Baha'i and Native American Hopi elder, has pointed out that the ancient medicine wheels (aka nature wheels) found throughout the world share many great similarities; including a prophecy that speaks of every race as a special guardian of one of the sacred Elements (aka Spirits). For example, Native Americans are considered the guardians of the Earth Spirit and Asians are said to be guardians of the Air Spirit. This prophecy also tells of a day when the guardians will come together from all corners of the earth to share the wisdom of the Element/Spirit to which they have been given guardianship. This day will be known as the great gathering of the rainbow people.
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(Click Here to read the entire fascinating transcript of Lee Brown's talk: "North American Indian Prophecies")​​​​​
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Part 2: Efficacy
As mentioned above, nature/medicine wheel wisdom has been discovered throughout the world. Unfortunately, however, its utilization as an insightful tool for fostering healing and harmony has largely died out; with the exceptions of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Indian Ayurveda which still use them extensively. However, this wisdom goes far beyond one's physical health. In fact, it can be insightful into every "element" of one's individual, community, and spiritual life.
(T)he faculty of intellectual investigation into the secrets of creation... is the most praiseworthy power of man, for through its employment and exercise the betterment of the human race is accomplished, the development of the virtues of mankind is made possible. ~ Abdu'l Baha
Consider the Earth Element. Its firmness gives us a place to stand, strong and stable. Acting as a mother, it nourishes and exemplifies the caregiver archetype with its incredible acceptance and forgiveness. It is also the place where unity and diversity abide. These are just a few attributes of the Earth Element, but we could also go on for quite a while about the flowing, cooling, healing, connecting, nurturing, depths of the Water Element, or the qualities of adaptability with the Air Element as it changes, exchanges, controls and releases, or the vision, openness and perspective that the Space Element gives, which awakens our courage and inspires us to new explorations; which also happen to light our Fire with passion, drive, transformation and joy. In nature these are attributes, but in man they are virtues. In nature these are great teachers. For man these are great lessons.
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Presented by William Brashear​​
It (Nature) is endowed with a power whose reality men of learning fail to grasp. Indeed a man of insight can perceive naught therein save the effulgent splendour of Our Name, The Creator.
~ Baha'u'llah
Artificial Integrity
Today, with answers to virtually everything at our finger tips, it seems that modern schools would be cranking out geniuses. Unfortunately, however, studies are increasingly showing that a staggering number of schools are graduating students with far less capacity for basic problem solving than those of generations ago. However, doing away with AI at this point seems highly improbable. Thus, the challenge is not about how to do away with it, but how to work with it. Furthermore, we may very well need AI to help humanity find ways to heal the planet. In fact, AI experts are already of the consensus that AI can very well lead the way in this, but it would be contingent upon at least one of two things:
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1. How humans use AI. / What we ask of it.
2. Humans getting out of the way (i.e. extinction) so that AI can save the planet.
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Currently, AI only reflects what has gone before it / what we have put into it. Although it can make a trillion combinations and calculations with the information we enter into it, and it can seem vastly more intelligent than any human (even bordering upon otherworldly) it is still just a reflection of a vast collection of human knowledge.
Thus, it is of existential importance that as AI grows
that it feeds upon, and therefore reflects back to us,
the most noble and virtuous attributes that God has given us.
In other words, we want the virtues to guide where our education and planet is heading. Otherwise, we may be feeding soulless machines more of the endless programs that already reflect how to facilitate our destruction; programs AI has already learned solely from us humans! Thus, now is not the time to become complacent and let AI run everything for us. For humanity has a rather large and ugly reflection both in the present day and throughout most of recorded history. Thus, now is the time to urgently focus upon how our virtues -and the history we make today- must drive the data that shall guide AI in the future.
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Presented by William Brashear & Badi Yaganagi
In the sea he findeth a drop.
In a drop he beholdeth the secrets of the sea.
Split the atom’s heart, and lo!
Within it thou wilt find a sun.
~ Baha'u'llah
FarmSchool Zambia
Out with the old, and in with the new!
The foundations of an old world order — raised on injustice and self-interest — now shudder with ever-deepening tremors. Work, learning, the very architecture of society — all fashioned in that old order's image — stand poised for seismic change. And technology, racing ahead unchecked, only quickens what was already stirring beneath the surface. Yet within this collapse, the seeds of a long-promised order — one woven from equity, dignity, and love — are being sown and tended by hands attuned to that Divine blueprint. Built not from above, but by grassroots communities working together, these tender saplings emerge quietly — often in the most unlikely, unassuming soils.
At FarmSchool Zambia, we are tending but one such seed. Whether it flowers into fullness or not, the wisdom gathered along the way is a harvest in itself. As we take a peek into FarmSchool's journey, perhaps your input and ideas may help us explore pathways yet undiscovered.
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Presented by Badi Yaganagi​​
Badi Yaganagi (mentioned above) & Amita Yaganagi (mentioned below) are a dynamic duo that have run several schools and educational resource centers in India and other countries. Their vision, innovation and success eventually found them heading up the International, Baha'i' Inspired, Banani School in Zambia, Africa. Amita primarily runs the Banani school while Badi has tended to developing the FarmSchool (described above) among some villages nearby. (Learn more about it HERE)
The more we search for ourselves, the less likely we are to find ourselves;
and the more we search for God and to serve our fellow-men,
the more profoundly will we become acquainted with ourselves and the more inwardly assured.
Connecting Through Movement
Art & Service To Find Oneself
In this workshop we will explore the themes of service, art and nature.
Service to others has a profound and central place in the search for our identity as human beings.
When we bring joy to another person, we find a little bit of who we are.
Movement, art and drama have a profound influence and are a part of the essential fabric of our lives.
There is beauty all around us, if our inner eye is trained to find it. By sharing the beauty in nature and in the arts with those around us, we are enriched and find greater meaning in life and who we are.
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Presented by Amita Yaganagi
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Reflect upon the inner realities of the universe, the secret wisdoms involved, the enigmas, the inter-relationships, the rules that govern all. For every part of the universe is connected with every other part by ties that are very powerful and admit of no imbalance, nor any slackening whatever.
~ Abdu'l-Baha
Virtues, Meridians & Magnetic Fields
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To live in the world without becoming aware of the meaning of the world
is like wandering about in a great library without touching the books.
~ Manly P Hall
​The late, great, Manly P Hall spoke extensively on virtue, the wisdom inherent in nature, its relationship to religion, and how one's integrity has a demonstrable effect on the magnetic field of the human body. He drew his knowledge from many scientific and spiritual texts found throughout the world; including Indian Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); the latter of which is largely based upon the mapping and balancing of these magnetic fields. Hall explains that one's holistic health is greatly affected by the condition of their magnetic field, and that one's magnetic field is greatly affected by the sum of one's virtues (aka integrity). This is nothing new to Ayurveda and TCM but lost to most of the world. And, as Hall and the presenters of this workshop will explain, the implications of this understanding reach far beyond medicinal health.
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Presented by Jade DelRosario, William Brashear, and Manly P Hall
Were one to observe with an eye that discovereth the realities of all things, it would become clear that the greatest relationship that bindeth the world of being together lieth in the range of created things themselves...
~ Abdu'l-Baha
Holistic Comprehension
Mental, Vital & Emotive
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Some understand but cannot do.
Some do, but do not understand what they are doing.
Some understand and do, but cannot feel what they are doing.
Some feel, but cannot do nor understand how it is done.
And sometimes, although rare, all three come together ​
and everyone witnesses that something amazing has taken place
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Herein lies a criteria for holistic education / holistic comprehension.
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Presented by Will
The elements and lower organisms are synchronized in the great plan of life.
~ Abdu'l-Baha
Spiritual Companioning
The 5th Strategy of The Virtues Project
Most Baha'i's know of the highly successful Virtues Project created by Linda Popov, a Baha'i psychologist. And many probably utilize four of its "Five Strategies," whether formally trained in them or not. However, most Baha'i's are not aware of the 5th strategy and, even if they are, most are not trained in how to practice it. And yet, when it comes to teaching, it is probably the most powerful strategy of them all. It is called Spiritual Companioning and indeed requires a bit formal training for most people; unless they are already trained in the deep listening skills taught by the great psychologist, Carl Rogers (wherein Mrs Popov largely derived her SC technique). However, long before Carl Rogers taught his method, Baha'u'llah told us to look to Abdu'l-Baha, to observe his listening and teaching method, and to which we find an almost identical method developed by Rogers some 80 years later.
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Consider the way in which The Master teaches the people. He listens very carefully to the most hollow and senseless talk. He listens so intently that the speaker says to himself "He is trying to learn from me."
Then, the Master gradually and very carefully, by means that the other person does not perceive,
puts him on the right path and endows him with a fresh power of understanding. ~Baha'u'llah
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Carl Rogers would not only agree here with Baha'u'llah but would probably like to emphasize that a fresh power of understanding that one comes to in this process is largely because they were not told the path they should take, but instead were listened to sincerely and deeply and, therefore, prompted to ask the most pertinent questions about the truest direction one would like their life to take. These would be questions that have the speaker clarify their thinking as they respond to the kind, courteous and non-judgmental listener/companioner. In doing so, the speaker finds that they are also clarifying their own thinking to themselves. In other words, they hear themselves better when someone else is listening to them with a degree of sincerity that most people would not even give themselves. Thus, they begin to discover the greater truths around a matter (relatively) on their own. This not only imparts a fresh new power of understanding but also empowers one to find the truth within themselves.
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Presented by Donald Nicely
True loss is for him whose days have been spent in utter ignorance of his self.
~ Baha'u'llah
​Know Thyself
Observing the law of nature within​​
Many Buddhists and meditation practitioners believe that the Buddha taught a form of meditation known today as Vipassana. It is often defined as Insight Meditation, but its literal meaning is "as it is", which implies becoming present with the truth of what one is experiencing within themselves. Therein, we start to recognize patterns of reactivity, or what one might say "pushes their buttons". One way to address this is referred to as the third option which is also, usually, a forgotten option. This implies that when something is upsetting we usually either react to it (option 1), or suppress it (Option 2, which is also a reaction), but neither are ultimately healthy. Vipassana trains one to see and practice the third option, which is to observe, rather than to react or suppress. When one does this they become very aware of themselves, witness what triggers them, and realize that to observe is far better than to react. Thus, rather than the common, unconscious, reactivity that most people are susceptible to, Vipassana engenders and empowers one to consciously respond rather than react. It is practice of keen observation coupled with progressive equanimity.
Presented by Will​​​
A Gap Year For All Ages
It is as rare to find someone who really knows himself as it is to find someone who truly knows what they want to make of their life. Nevertheless, one can easily see how these matters greatly correspond to each other. And yet, nevertheless, one often chooses a course of life without knowing much about either.
A yogic gap year addresses these challenges and more. The yogic aspect teaches one how to know one's self {mind, body and spirit}, and the travel and service aspect opens one's eyes to see beyond the local horizon.
However, it is not meant just for students of college age. In fact, the people that we have found most interested in this program are usually between jobs or of retirement age. However, having already been entrapped by the rush to "be somebody" during their college years and, therefore, having already graduated and entered the workforce (although usually with a degree that has nothing to do with the work they find), their urgency has slowed down, they are cautious not to get caught up in a new tide that is going in the wrong direction, and they truly want to research and evaluate both themselves and what they truly want to do with their lives.
In this session we will discuss the importance of this program and have a Q & A session for anyone interested in a gap year, including one that we can facilitate. In the meantime, however, you can learn a lot more about it HERE.
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Presented by Will and Badi
We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions..
~ Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an Individual Believer
If Yoga Was Religion
Teaching the Baha'i Faith to Yogis
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It's already been mentioned that Bali is a magnet for nature lovers, but legions upon legions of aspiring yogis are drawn to Bali as well. But it is not just Bali, yoga is also growing by leaps and bounds everywhere in the world. In fact, if yoga was a religion, it would not only be the world's fastest growing religion, but no other religion would come remotely close. Furthermore, although yoga is generally not considered a religion -by comparative definition- all religions are a form of yoga.
Religion is a term derived from two Latin words:
Re - to bind back to Source / Legio - to make whole
Furthermore, bind is defined as to hold together.
Yoga is a Sanskrit word that was originally pronounced Yogh;
which can be traced forward to the Greek:Yolk, and later to the Latin: Yoke.​​​
You may already know that Yoga means to Unite, but it derives its name from an archaic Y shaped device called a Yogh/Yoke which takes two or more separate beasts and binds and holds them together to work as one under the reins of a Driver.
The implication in Yoga is that the driver is God (or Source) and that this connection and guidance leads to wholeness,
which is another definition of Yoga. There are many depictions of a yogh being used to harness wild horses together in Hindu art. Furthermore, among Hindus that know their scripture, they often note when speaking to Christians that when Christ said "My yoke is easy," He was basically saying My yoga is easy / My religion is easy.
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(Please Note: This is not just the presenters own logical conclusion. There are, in fact, english translations the Bhagavad Gita that actually substitute the word religion for the word yoga throughout the texts. Including a co-written translation by Christopher Ishwerwood and Swami Prabhavananda.)
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Yoga enthusiasts come from all religions and no religion (at least by the modern definition). Many also come with no belief in God as well; yet clearly looking for something that those who do believe in God have found. In other words, they are among the most ardent seekers of that feeling of binding back to Source and feeling whole. And, once you get into a deeper conversation, you quickly find that concepts such as "Source" and phrases such as "the infinite wisdom of the Universe" are terms most atheistic yogis are completely agreeable with. Furthermore, theist yogis are usually already on board with the idea that all religions come from the same Source. Even yogis from Judeo-Christian backgrounds, through the study of yoga, are often very familiar with Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist teachings and practices. And, when you postulate that they all come from the same Source, they usually and quite readily agree.
In other words, yogis from around the world are among the most open to the teachings of the Baha'i Faith; a Faith that strives to Yoke the wild and diverse peoples and religions of the world back to the One Source ~ to make humanity whole.
And yet most Baha'i's, like most people in general, know relatively little about yoga beyond breathing and stretching techniques; which are actually more about improving one's innate propensities and abilities to live a yogic life when properly understood. Therein, Bahai's actually do know a lot about yoga, even more than most yogis.
Fearlessness, purity of heart,
perseverance in the yoga of knowledge,
charity, sense restraint, sacrifice,
study of the scriptures,
austerity, honesty, nonviolence, truthfulness, absence of anger,
renunciation, equanimity, abstaining from malicious talk,
compassion for all creatures, freedom from greed,
gentleness, modesty, absence of fickleness;
splendor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness,
absence of malice, and absence of pride;
these are the qualities of those endowed
with divine virtues, O Arjuna…
Divine qualities lead to Nirvana...
~Krishna, Bhagavad Gita
Nevertheless, the typical techniques and practices we think of when yoga comes to mind are all excellent starting points for delving into deeper religious concepts and principles of all religions. For example, to Know Thyself is a teaching found in all religions, but not many religions give a lot of guidance how to actually do it. ~ However, this is where yoga excels!
Through Yoga, a Hindu becomes a better Hindu, a Christian a better Christian,
a Mohammedan a better Mohammedan, and a Jew a better Jew!
~Yogi Gupta
And one might add: 'a better Baha'i'.'
We have one (possibly two) more special guest presenter(s) that may join us, but we are awaiting confirmation.
Nevertheless, you can expect one or two presentations on each day of the conference.
Daily Electives​
Elemental Yoga & Meditation Classes
The campus for this retreat usually hosts yoga trainings that are run by Will & Jade. Every morning there will be a class in Elemental Yoga, which focuses of the energy channels of the body commonly known as meridians and which also are related to the various organs, which are related elements (earth, water, fire, air, space), which is related to certain virtues and attributes. Thus, in elemental yoga the student learns not only how to stretch, but also what meridians, organs and elemental qualities are stimulated. ​
Adventurous Excursions
In addition to these great programs we will also take excursions off the campus for...
Waterfall & Jungle Hikes, Volcanoes, Snorkeling, Beach Excursions, Ancient Monkey Forest, Jungle Elephant Reserve, Sound Healing Pyramids, Balinese Dance & Cultural Events, Green School, and Much More!
Acu-Thai
Ayurvedic Yoga Massage
Jade & Will hold trainings in Ubud for this magical healing bodywork technique; and it will be offered daily to attendees of this retreat following the morning yoga class. (Learn more about AcuThai)
READY?
LET'S DO THIS!