Photography by Christine Morro
Seeds of the Future
A 4-Part Introduction to Spiritual Ecology
Sundays, 11 October – 8 November
Time: 4:00–6:00 pm (UK time)
Location: Online via Zoom
Price: £55 Standard | £45 Concession
We are living at the end of an era. Unprecedented heatwaves, wildfires, wars, political instability and growing social division: the fabric of our ecologies and societies is unravelling, and the stories and systems keeping them together no longer hold. Yet, within the grief and uncertainty of our time lies the potential for something new to come into being.
In his book Why the World Doesn’t End, mythologist Michael Meade reminds us that every ending contains the seeds of new beginnings. Amidst the breakdown and chaos of one world coming to an end, there is another that is waiting to be born – and its seeds and signs already exist in the world today.
As in the living world, the emerging future springs up from the wild edges: in the margins and understories where new relationships and possibilities take root. As disruptions to the dominant system deepen, these eventually become the foundations of the next system.
Spiritual Ecology is a seed of the future. Both an ancient lineage and a newly emerging field of thought and practice, it is constellating across the fields of science, religion, academia, art, environmentalism and activism, as we increasingly recognise the deeper spiritual roots of our polycrisis and begin to step into a paradigm of radical solidarity, reverence and reciprocity with our animate Earth and all of life.
This four-part course offers an introduction to the emerging field of Spiritual Ecology and its core values of interconnectedness, reciprocity, custodianship, reverence and solidarity. We will draw on indigenous wisdom, spiritual and faith traditions, new scientific paradigms and real-world projects to explore some of the following questions: How can we participate in the work of ecological, cultural and spiritual regeneration? What values, principles, and practices can form the foundation of what comes next? What stories, cultures and structures are emerging, and how can we begin to weave them into our own lives and work?
Course Introduction
“It is in the middle of what seems like the end of everything that things secretly begin again.”
-Michael Meade
Each 2-hour session offers space for deep listening, reflective journalling, small group discussions, and creative and contemplative practices. We’ll draw on stories and essays from leading thinkers in the field, and explore the teachings of spiritual ecology together in a global community.
Practices and readings to explore between classes
A mix of small group conversation and large group discussion
Reflective writing prompts
Slideshow presentation & talks
Time for discussion and contemplation
Part 1: Origins
“It’s only recently in Earth time that we have been severed from the Earth. Part of us is still longing, still searching, still remembering” - Linda Hogan
The first module will explore spiritual ecology as our collective origins, and a remembering of our deep ancestral relationship with Earth. We’ll reflect on our personal spiritual ecology origin stories, which include the larger story of humanity’s split from its sacred relationship with Earth.
Part 2: Principles
“We don’t need new systems, we need to remember the old agreements that kept the world in balance for thousands of years.” - Lyla June Johnson
In module two, we’ll introduce some of the foundational principles of spiritual ecology, and explore both their inner and outer dimensions. We’ll frame the principles as pathways towards learning how to orient ourselves in a sacred relationship with the living world once again.
Part 3: Practices
“We make something holy by the quality of attention we give to it.” - Dr Martin Shaw
The seeds of regeneration and renewal begin with embodying a new way of being and relationship with Earth in our own lives. Module 3 will introduce spiritual ecology practices and will explore examples of practices that we can integrate into our daily lives. We’ll consider how daily practices build an inner container which can hold us in turbulent and changing times.
Part 4: Application
“The spiritual and theoretical must be connected to real-world ideas” - Tyson Yunkaporta
Finally, we’ll learn from real-world case studies and examples of projects that are applying spiritual ecology values and principles in practice to create healing and regeneration. We’ll think about how we might apply what we have learnt to our own work and projects and gain support and inspiration from the community.
Course Overview & Modules
Course Dates:
Part 1: Sunday 11th October
Part 2: Sunday 18th October
Part 3: Sunday 1st November
Part 4: Sunday 8th November
Amrita Bhohi is a facilitator, educator and founder of The Mustard Seed. For over a decade, her work has explored the philosophy and practice of spiritual ecology, offering experiences to reweave people, the living earth and the sacred.
In 2015, she co-founded the Spiritual Ecology Programme at St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation & Peace, and has led spiritual ecology retreats and workshops internationally.
Course Facilitator
Seeds of the Future
A Four-Part Introduction to Spiritual Ecology
11 October – 8 November · Online
£55 Standard | £45 Concession
Places are limited to create space for conversation and participation.
Please get in touch if price is a barrier or with questions hello@themustardseed.space