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How can we meet the challenges of our time systemically, effectively and intelligently? The WISE EARTH PROJECT offers a deeply nourishing and revitalising space to investigate this question.
Join the Wise Earth Project’s nature-based leadership retreat in Catalunya, Spain, from 1-4 October 2024. Designed for 3rd sector leaders facing unprecedented challenges, the program offers a revitalizing space to explore systemic and intelligent approaches aligned with the natural unfolding of life.
Led by “Easy Day,” “Fundación Germina,” and “The BioLeadership Project,” this retreat encourages a deep investigation into leadership roles and responsibilities in today’s complex landscape. Embrace the opportunity to lead by example, reconnect with yourself, with nature, and develop strategies for navigating uncertainty while caring for your teams and ecosystems.
Are you ready to step back and view your work from a transformative perspective? Join us for a profoundly nourishing experience.
“Virtually all indigenous or native cultures have regarded nature or the universe or Mother Earth as the ultimate teacher. At few points in history has the need to rediscover this teacher been greater. “
Peter Senge, Otto Scharmer, et al
Discover the wisdom and ingenuity of nature within yourself.Nature tends towards equilibrium. In the absence of human intervention, ecosystems and wildlife populations self-regulate, correct and adapt to new circumstances — a model we, as part of nature, can learn from.
This program empowers leaders to navigate today’s challenges with clarity and efficacy. By acknowledging human-made issues and their underlying root cause, we gain insight into a deep-seated dysfunction in the human psyche that leaders must grasp. Through this understanding, we recognize the profound significance of inner work, and the importance of connecting with our essential nature. This practice not only enhances our personal well-being but also extends its positive impact to our families, organizations, communities, and the world at large.
Our base and home during these days will be the Masia Pont de Valentí, a centre for nature-based learning and retreats, located in the magical Sant Aniol valley, within the Alta Garrotxa nature park. Located next to a beautiful mountain river, participants will sleep in tents set up around the farmhouse.
We begin our learning adventure with a hike into the Sant Aniol valley. Along the way we will stop for an opening session that will help us arrive in the group and in the valley. A delicious welcome meal awaits us at Pont de Valentí, our home for the next few days.
This day is an invitation to explore the challenges of our time with a systemic look at their root causes. What do we observe happening in the world around us? How do we respond? We will address the personal, organisational and global transformation and change we feel is necessary. We will have these conversations during a spectacular route through the valley.
A través de la metáfora del jardín, exploraremos cómo trabajar con las semillas de la conciencia, cuidando de uno mismo y de los demás. Liderar personas, trabajar en equipos o fomentar cambios culturales en organizaciones son grandes oportunidades para la transformación. El cambio social empieza por uno mismo y desde allí se expande a nuestras familias, comunidades y el mundo.
Nuestra aventura de hoy ofrece un espacio personal para la reflexión profunda en un “solo en la naturaleza”. El ‘solo’ es una herramienta ancestral y muy poderosa, cultivando y regando la plena conexión con el medio natural. Por la tarde, abordaremos como dejar fluir la comunicación en equipos en un clima sano y abierto. Cerraremos el día con noche de pizza!
Dedicaremos la mañana al reto de traducir las experiencias y los aprendizajes a nuestro día a día. ¿Qué quieres llevarte de vuelta a tu organización? Exploraremos qué puedes aplicar ya en tu vida, equipo u organización y qué te ayudará a mantenerte en ello. Cerraremos a mediodía con una bonita ceremonia de despedida.
Ya de nuevo desde el contexto de cada participante, dedicaremos esta sesión a compartir y obtener claves para mantener la experiencia viva y profundizar en ella una vez hemos vuelto al día a día de cada uno.
Booking & Registration
Easy Day is the organisation responsible for the outdoor activities and accommodation in the valley, and therefore we ask that you register with them at the following link: here. Here you will need to enter your personal details, any special dietary requirements or medical information and the terms of participation.
To finalise your booking please make a BANK TRANSFER of the total programme fee, which is 350,- Euros per person. VAT, guide and facilitation, meals and camping fees are all included.
Our bank details are:
Banc Sabadell
Korbinian Hort, Easy Day
Iban : ES49 0081 0111 0900 0190 3294
Bic: BSABESBB
Bizum: 699960134
Meeting point: We will meet at 16:15 h in the public car park of Sadernes on Tuesday 1st of October 2024.
Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ENrz3bvno1M2umig8
After leaving our luggage in a transfer vehicle that will take our things to where we will be staying, we will start walking into the valley on foot (3 km). Along the way we will start the programme together.
Important: Come prepared to start walking. Wear sports or trekking shoes, long or short trousers, and in a small backpack a waterproof jacket, a first layer of warm clothes and swimwear (you can wear your swimming costume or carry it in your backpack). Before we start our walk we will offer you a snack and a bottle of water, as well as a notepad and a pen.
How to get here: if you are not travelling by car, you can take a bus from Barcelona. There are very good bus connections from the centre of Barcelona: C/ de Pau Claris, 117, 08009 Barcelona. The bus leaves at 14:00 h and arrives around 16:00 h at the Montagut roundabout. We can pick you up here. You can get your ticket with TEISA at the above address.
If you prefer to go by train you can arrive at Girona station. We will pick you up in front of the station punctually at 15.00 h. Location: https://goo.gl/maps/9i22CFMJ7qp89c7g8
Be sure to let us know a few days in advance if you need to be picked up at any of these places! Thank you.
For the Return: The bus to Barcelona leaves at 13:45. And we can arrange a transfer to Girona Train Station, if needed. Again please inform us beforehand.
Accommodation: Basic accommodation in individual tents with mattress and bedding. Ecological toilets and showers with hot water for shared use.
Food: Provided by the organisation based on fresh, organic, vegetarian and local food whenever possible.
Digital disconnection: There is no mobile phone or wifi coverage in and around the house in the nature park. So come prepared and communicate with the people you need before you arrive. We have wifi and the phone for emergencies only: the contact number for WhatsApp is +34.655 58 12 73 (Javi Gras).
Noble Silence: Every night we will ask the participants to keep silence from 23.00 onwards. It is an ancient practice that helps us to rest, to conserve our energy, to digest the experiences of the day and to enjoy nature at night.
Language of the programme: Spanish and some English.
Safety: During your stay, we would like to ask you to take good care of yourself, both physically and emotionally. Our educational methodology thrives on adventure and nature experiences, including time for yourself. Feelings of discomfort, inner resistances, doubts or harsh judgements are phenomena that can appear in transformative learning processes. They are not a bad sign, but something to be expected. In no way do we intend to create extreme situations or strong emotional states, but the aim is to co-create a caring atmosphere based on trust, openness and authenticity. If you have any doubts or questions regarding any aspect of your safety or well-being, please do not hesitate to talk to us.
Sometimes we will be moving off the beaten track, climbing, swimming, perhaps abseiling. These are activities that require a general physical fitness but no previous experience. Although the risk levels in these outdoor activities are very low, as we manage safety rigorously, it is important to recognise that we are not exempt from potential accidents.
We employ a comprehensive risk management and safety policy and are covered by professional indemnity insurance. We are backed by safely guiding and facilitating transformative learning adventures with thousands of participants since 25 years.
Items to bring:
– Small backpack
– 2 pairs of trainers or trekking shoes, one pair for getting wet
– Comfortable shoes to change into at the house
– Swimming clothes
– Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat).
– Several layers of clothing for warmth as well as rainy or cold weather conditions. Synthetic garments work best outdoors in wet weather,
cotton is not recommended
– Waterproof jacket
– Head torch
– Sleeping bag (10-15 degrees Celsius at night)
– Pillow
– Fitted sheet for a single mattress
– Toilet bag and towel
– Personal medication, if necessary
Thank you!
“When we take the time to listen to nature in a certain way, new forms of knowledge emerge.”
Andres Roberts
As qualified guide and group facilitator I draw on over 25 years of experience and have safely led thousands of people through transformative learning adventures. I am passionate about creating atmospheres and spaces in which people feel at ease, at home and inspired to explore what truly matters to their hearts.
These days I feel most satisfied in my work, if the facilitated process, which often blends nature experiences, conversations and guided meditations, can help participants to become inwardly silent, empty and open. It is here, that we really begin to feel, understand and appreciate the completeness and contentment of our natural state of being. The significance of this experience cannot be overestimated as it reaches into all aspects of our life.
I am founder and director of Easy Day. I hold a Masters degree in Sustainability and Business Responsibility from Ashridge Business School and a BSc in Outdoor Education from Edinburgh University. My family and I live in our beloved Sant Aniol valley in Catalunya, Spain.
Wonder is at the core of my work. As a professional I try to stay close to my own sense of wonder, in order to invite others to inquire and experiment together in the workplace. For me, a sense of wonder is about attention, curiosity and seeing beauty and possibilities in places where that might not be self-evident. But also about taking the time to hear and inquire into each others stories in organisations, as human beings.
I am always searching for those questions and stories that might create movement in a complex change issue. I love to design and facilitate change interventions and leadership programmes, but also to support the development of fellow practitioners through writing and teaching about my practice.
I am a partner at Kessels & Smit The Learning Company and live with my family in Amsterdam.
I am a Civil Engineer from UPM. I have extensive experience as a Project Manager in international engineering projects, coordinating teams, and developing road infrastructure projects.
In recent years, my focus as an engineer has shifted towards launching Innovation projects to implement more sustainable and regenerative processes in the technical office where I worked.
In 2022 I joined the Bioleadership Project team to lead projects that bring about a change in the narrative of progress and leadership. We achieve this through a culture deeply connected to nature, introducing principles of resilience, circularity, and community.
En esta edición pretendemos cuidar la composición de un grupo diverso y limitado a un máximo de 12 participantes provenientes de distintos con- textos y organizaciones sociales.
If you are interested in participating in the programme, or have further questions, please send an email Javi Gras (see below).
As part of the registration process we will ask you for your CV or LinkedIn profile and we will conduct an online interview to answer any questions you may have and to get to know you a little in order to evaluate your candidacy.
“Responsibility means primarily to take responsibility for ones own state of consciousness, which determines my thoughts and actions and thus what kind of world I create. Only a dysfunctional consciousness produces a dysfunctional world. ”
ECKHART TOLLE
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