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Nature & Providence
balancing the elements of a transitioning age
July 30 - Aug 12, 2027
Bali
Indonesia
Sow the seeds of My divine wisdom in the pure soil of thy heart, and water them with the water of certitude, that the hyacinths of My knowledge and wisdom may spring up fresh and green in the sacred city of thy heart.
~Bahá'u'lláh
Bali is an amazing place to connect and imbibe the healing, revitalizing and wise influences of nature. Thus, it is of no surprise that so many teachers, naturalists, and advocates for sustainability are drawn to the region, such as the Bali Fresh Farm Cooperative, Bali Reef Conservation, BioSystems, Sustainism Lab, and many more. It is also home to the world renowned Green School, which has as its mission to nurture the "green leaders" of tomorrow.
Speaking of green leaders . . .
Workshops & Presenters:
Sustainable Inspirations
We are excited to announce that Mr. Orin Hardy will be one of our key presenters. Orin lives in Bali, near to where his parents founded the renowned Green School in 2008. Orin helped develop the school and the campus, fostering in him the qualities of a unique educator and an adept bamboo architect.
Although Orin has moved on from Green School, his latest green adventure is in the creation of Bamboo U, which is adjacent to the Green School campus. It is a place where bamboo enthusiasts come from around the world to learn how to design and build inspiring, sustainable, and incredibly charming living and learning environments.
Needless to say, Orin has many wonderful perspectives when it comes to learning environments, education, sustainability, and building inspiring and functional art.
We are very excited that Orin will be sharing his journey and insights with us, as well as the opportunity to take a tour of both Green School and Bamboo U.
Whatsoever surpasseth the limits of moderation ceases to exert a beneficial influence.
~ Baha'u'llah
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 many of the ancient medicine wheels (aka nature wheels) found throughout the world share 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.
(Click Here to read the entire fascinating transcript of Lee Brown's talk "North American Indian Prohecies")
Part 2: Efficacy
As mentioned above, nature/medicine wheel wisdom has been found throughout the world. Unfortunately, however, its utilization as a 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.
As Baha'i's know that the virtues are pivotal to our spiritual well-being,
the ancient nature wheels have long known what is pivotal to comprehending the virtues.
Consider the element of Earth. It's firmness gives us a place to stand.
If our feet are not planted upon its stability, we cannot lift ourselves up.
Acting as a mother, it nourishes and gives us strength.
As it exemplifies the caregiver archetype, Earth demonstrates 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.
Furthermore, we can explore the quality 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 be the types of things which light our Fire Element with passion, drive and joy,
and/or bring out our leadership qualities on a path of transformation.
These elemental insights, however, are just the beginning.
Let us learn about these methods from nature itself in nature's own elemental classroom.
Presented by William Brashear
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
Artificial Integrity
With answers to virtually everything at our finger tips today, it seems that modern schools would be cranking out geniuses. Unfortunately, however, studies are increasingly showing that a staggering number of schools today 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 save the planet. In fact, AI experts are already of the consensus that AI can very well lead the way to saving the planet, but this would be contingent upon at least one of two things:
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.
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 a 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.
Presented by William Brashear & Badi Yaganagi
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
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.
Presented by Badi Yaganagi
The dynamic duo of Badi (mentioned above) & Amita Yaganagi (mentioned below) have run several schools and educational resource centers in India and other countries. Their 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 among some villages nearby. (Learn more about it HERE)
Connecting Through Movement
Art & Service To Find Oneself
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.
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.
Presented by Amita Yaganagi
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
"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
Manly 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 religious texts, Indian Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine; that latter of which is largely based upon the mapping of these magnetic fields in the body via channels that are often referred to as meridians. (The basis of acupuncture and acupressure). 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 their integrity / the sum of one's virtues. This is nothing new to TCM but, as Hall (and the presenters of this workshop) will explain, the implications of this understanding reach far beyond medicinal health.
Presented by Jade DelRosario, William Brashear, and Manly P Hall
Holistic Comprehension
Mental, Vital & Emotive
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
Herein lies a criteria for holistic education / holistic comprehension.
Presented by Will
The elements and lower organisms are synchronized in the great plan of life. Shall man, infinitely above them in degree, be antagonistic and a destroyer of that perfection?
~ Abdu'l-Baha
The Art of Spiritual Companioning
The Fifth 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 only not aware of the 5th strategy but nor are they formally trained in its practice. 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 deep listening skills of the great psychologist, Carl Rogers, wherein Ms Popov largely derived her 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.
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
Carl Rogers would not only agree here with Baha'u'llah but would probably like to emphasize that the fresh power of understanding that one comes to is largely because they were not told the path they should take, but instead were listened to 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 are 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; which is indeed a fresh new power of understanding that people can find is within themselves.
Presented by Donald Nicely
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
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 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 look at this is referred to as the third option or the forgotten option. This implies that when something is upsetting we usually either react to it, or suppress it (which is also a reaction), but neither are ultimately healthy. Vipassana teaches 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. 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
True loss is for him whose days have been spent in utter ignorance of his self.
~ Baha'u'llah
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. But, nevertheless, one often chooses a course of life without knowing either. In other words, how can we know what we want without really knowing ourself? And, how can we know what to do in the world without having experienced the possibilities beyond our own front door? A yogic gap year addresses both of these challenges and more. The yogic aspect teaches them how to know themselves {mind, body and spirit}, and the travel and service aspect opens their 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 about it HERE.
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...
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. However, 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. However, although yoga is generally not considered a religion -by comparative definition- all religions are a form of yoga.
Religion is Latin, meaning:
to bind back and make whole.
Re - to bind back to source
Legio - to make whole
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.
A yoke derives its meaning from an archaic Y shaped device that is used to yoke two or more wild beasts together so that they can work wholly as one, as well as be guided by the reins of the Driver. (Many depictions of this are seen in Hindu art.)
Simply put, the definition of yoga is relatively identical to the definition of religion:
to bind back and make whole.
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, and 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. In fact, although they may have never thought about it, 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 universe 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 just the means to yoga when properly understood. Virtue, integrity, service, devotion, unity, oneness are the actual goals. Therein, Bahai's actually do know a lot about yoga; perhaps 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 how to know one's self. 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'.'
Teaching the Baha'i Faith to Yoga Enthusiasts
A personal note from the event coordinator
Allah'u'abha!
This is Will! I am the coordinator of this event as well as a presenter. As a personal note, I'd like to share with you that I have knowingly wanted to hold this event for about 3 years, but it wasn't until I started putting it together that it dawned on me that it is a culmination of something that was put in motion over two decades ago. Please allow me to explain . . . (continued at bottom of page)
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!
What Inspired This Event?
(continued from above)
You may have noticed that besides an emphasis on nature, this conference also says a lot about yoga; to which I would like to emphasize (as noted above), if yoga was a religion it would easily be the fastest growing religion in the world. More importantly, however, it is my hope that Baha'i's may come to recognize that yogis may be among the most ripened segment of humanity to embrace the Baha'i Faith as so many of its teachings are already what many yogis believe. ~ In fact, I came to the Baha'i Faith through yoga myself.
In 1988, at the age of 18, I found a book that was primarily about typical yoga practices, but it used those practices to introduce me to deeper spiritual truths that I had never encountered before; including the belief that there is truth in all true and unifying religions. Furthermore, before I found the Baha'i teachings, I came to love the writings of a yogi named Gandhi. He was the first to proclaim to my ears the essential unity of religion. In 1989 (after 4 non-stop days and nights on a bike trip) I found a newspaper article on the Faith and instantly embraced it without even knowing any details about it other than proclaiming the unity of religion. Later, in 2004 (after what some would call a "dark night of the soul" or what Krishna refers to as a stage of yoga called the yoga of dejection) I set out on a teaching tour of about a dozen major cities in India, wherein, probably by Divine coincidence, it landed me in Bangalore at a unique time. All 9 members of the NSA of India and all 9 LSA members of Bangalore happened to be meeting together. Somehow the 2 Assemblies got word that I was coming through the area and invited me to meet with them. I was amazed to be invited or that they even knew about me; although I was having rather enormous success. Without really any plan as to how I would be teaching the Faith in India, I found myself giving talks everywhere, even the opening address at an Ayurvedic college. I was also interviewed by several major newspapers. And, after having seen one of these newspaper interviews, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (a famous guru associated with the Art of Living movement) invited me to come and meet him at his ashram. Nevertheless, my main intention was to discuss with various Baha'i communities throughout India a wide range of correlations my yogic and Baha'i studies had found, and was continuing to find. Therein, I found myself blessed to give this report to the 2 Assemblies that had gathered in Bangalore.
They had gathered to discuss many important things, but took a pause to give me about 15 minutes to discuss my travel teaching adventures. After about 45 minutes, however, I was still presenting to them my findings which led to a consensus among the 2 Assemblies that the work I was doing should continue [correlating yogic and Baha'i teachings] and that I should create a compilation of my findings.
Now, more than 20 years later, a written compilation is in its 7th Edition and presented in a training manual for both Baha'i's interested in yoga, and also as a professional Elemental Yoga Therapy training manual for all who are interested in yoga as a way to heal and spiritually develop; wherein several hundred students have graduated since 2014. (Not to mention that, before this, the program was also adopted by Antioch University Midwest (AUM) as a Master's degree program; entitled as Integral Yoga Studies.)
In other words, much of what I will be presenting at this event in Bali is the fruit of over 2 decades of work that was inspired to continue after meeting with those 2 Spiritual Assemblies in India.