Back to San Francisco, Canticle Farm and workshop with Joanna Macy

After Boston un-conference organized by New England Eisenhower fellows I flew back to San Francisco. It was a very unique experience for me. Throughout Eisenhower fellowship travel, I had the opportunity to stay at hotels like Hilton, Double tree and many other star class hotels but two nights living in a small room at Casa de Paz at Canticle Farm (http://ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/making-peace-inner-city-oakland-one-block-time) was an unforgettable experience. It took me back to my university days when I did research living in Tropical Rrain Forests when I sleept on floor, living with minimum facilities this time eating vegetarian and sometimes even vegan (which is a new practice for me) walking in the organic garden watching humming birds!!! Wow…I really enjoyed few hours of those two days meeting very unique personalities in USA who are trying to get connected with Mother Earth with a simple life style. In fact it’s not very new to me as many people in Sri Lanka live that way but I think for many Americans its very unusual. They all talked about Ghandian philosophy, middle path of Lord Buddha, meditation, sustainability, connection with Mother Earth, inner peace, and low ecological impact and non violence. All familiar words! The beauty of it is they respect Buddhist philosophy, and teachings of St. Francis. Isn’t it wonderful??? I only spent the night and early mornings at Canticle farm as I had to travel to San Francisco to participate in Joanna Macy’s workshop on “Great Turning”. Read more about Canticle Farm community on this link. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqeS6zDnaMc9fFfbYNQSEXzCRV-pFwe8TOy_YnsHacU/edit?authkey=CLfVhNYL

Garden which provides food for all community members

seating areas giving the opportunity to connect with Mother Earth

Two days with Joanna Macy talking about “Great Turning” was giving me full of positive energy. It confirmed me what I was preaching for last 11 years is so true and Joanna confirmed me that I am on right track. This is what Joanna says about Great turning “A revolution is underway because people are realizing that our needs can be met without destroying our world. We have the technical knowledge, the communication tools, and material resources to grow enough food, ensure clean air and water, and meet rational energy needs. Future generations, if there is a livable world for them, will look back at the epochal transition we are making to a life-sustaining society. And they may well call this the time of the Great Turning. It is happening now”. 

During "Active Hope" workshop

Very happy to meet you Joanna...

Joanna Macy with full of positive energy

So ECO-V’s mission towards Eco friendly life style is the key path for more sustainable future on this planet. It was very nice to have a very positive feeling about life after 2 days of “Active Hope” workshop by Joanna Macy whom I have been admiring for past few years but never had the opportunity to meet her before (http://www.joannamacy.net/thegreatturning.html). I would like to thank Eisenhower fellowships for making all the arrangements to meet her and get that training under her.

Also I would like to invite all who read this blog to take some time to read more about “great Turning” and also to take possible actions to be a part of it.