Social Week
A time of breaking down barriers, sharing values and building trust. A time of creating community and airing the skills and tools needed to
support its continued, peaceful evolution. Shared experiences included group challenges and games, celebrations and ritual, meals and mediation.
Starting with expectations of what the EDE had to offer, the goals of Gaia Education in the expansion of world consciousness and the weaving together of different intentional and traditional communities, to share and learn from each other.
Through games the participants formed small supporting ?home groups? that would not only take care of outer environment and recap the days learning, but also offer emotional support on a more intimate level.
Om inspired the Participants with the story of Bor Nok?s activist community and Pracha helped to expand the understanding of how a community can really be sustainable and resilient in this fast changing world. The importance of the heart of a community resonating in the heart of its members, be it Intentional or traditional, through their common goals, relationships and decision making process.
Participants learnt about art, ritual and celebration by making their own personal prayer flags and mandalas. These were raised in a group ceremony, after which the participants took ownership of lowering and raising the flags on departure and arrival at each new venue. The creative outlet helped to balance and centre a sometimes emotional process.
In a departure from the norm, May brought Transition Towns to the Thailand EDE, touching more on urban settings. This wisdom taught that the greatest challenge will be bringing about changes in these settings, where natural resources are scarce and people easily alienated. Everyone has value, bringing unique skills and knowledge to the Transition, which participants must all make in both their inner and outer worlds.
Some participants found it a relief to hear May talk about being ?nurses to the old system and midwives to the new?. As nice as it may sound to go live in beautiful eco-villages and ignore the manifold crisis going on, only together as a worldwide community, embracing the diversity of all that is present, can the required healing happen.
Tanida guided the participants through the learning of Compassionate and Non-violent Communication, giving them greater skills and valuable tools for community living. These came in handy in the weeks to come where living in such close proximity and taking on strong and diverse truths helped build the community.
