14 – 18 September, 2009
One week course only
Satish Kumar, Stephan Harding, Christopher Lloyd
Already booked on the course? Click here for course resources
The third in our popular series of Earth Pilgrim courses broadens the focus to include a historical perspective on our experience of the earth around us, as well as an understanding of the science that underlies a deep ecological understanding, and Satish’s reflections on nature and spirit.
On Dartmoor, with Satish, participants will visit some of the landscapes pictured in the Earth Pilgrim documentary – woods, rivers, tors, stone circles, and the open moor – walking together, talking, sitting quietly and reflecting individually and as a group. The group will be joined on one of the walks by Stephan Harding who will introduce Gaia theory and deep ecology. The course will also include a guided visit to the beautiful Dartington Hall Gardens.
Chris Lloyd will spend one morning with participants asking What on Earth Happened? Based on his popular book of that name, Chris will introduce participants to a holistic historical perspective that includes geology, natural history and human cultural evolution. In the first session, he surveys the 13.7 billion years of history up until the emergence of the first hominids about 3 million years ago. The second session will look at the impact of human history on the natural world and vice versa from 3 million years ago to the present day. What is the place of humans in nature, and why does our perspective on history matter in a world dominated by nearly 7 billion people?
The Earth Pilgrim course offers the opportunity to slow down. As we explore some of the beautiful Dartmoor and coastal landscapes, we will enjoy periods of quiet reflection through mindful walking and sitting, as well as sharing some of our thoughts and ideas. This week aims to help you engage with the natural world and to reconnect.
You didn’t come into this world.
You came out of it, like a wave from the ocean.
You are not a stranger here.
Alan Watts
Satish Kumar undertook an 8,000 mile peace pilgrimage, walking from India to America without any money to deliver packets of peace tea to leaders of the four nuclear powers. In 1973, he settled in England, becoming editor of Resurgence magazine – a position he has held ever since. Satish is the guiding spirit behind a number of ecological, spiritual and educational ventures in Britain and was one of the founders of Schumacher College. Read more about Satish Kumar
Stephan Harding is Programme Coordinator of the MSc in Holistic Science at Schumacher College. He is a close associate of James Lovelock and an expert in the study of Gaia theory and deep ecology. He is the author of Animate Earth.
Christopher Lloyd is a journalist, writer and education manager with a background in history. His book What on Earth Happened? was launched in October 2008, and has since sold more than 20,000 copies in the UK. It was serialised in The Independent newspaper under the title The World, A Pocket History over 14 days between Saturday 7th to Friday 20th February 2009.
Participants will spend two full days on Dartmoor, taking a packed lunch, and one half-day on the coast. They will travel there by bus – journey times vary from 45 minutes to 1-1/4 hours each way.
Monday
Arrival by lunchtime. Spend the afternoon getting acquainted with the College and exploring the gardens and surrounding Dartington Hall Estate. Evening session with Satish.
Tuesday
Morning session on Gaia/deep ecology with Stephan Harding, followed by visit to
Wistman’s Wood and surrounding tors. Evening session with Chris Lloyd and Satish – What, if anything, makes humans special?
Wednesday
Morning session with Chris Lloyd. Afternoon trip to coast around Dartmouth, including a “time walk”.
Thursday
All-day visit to Scorhill stone circle and surrounding moorland, tors and woods.
Friday
Visit Dartington Hall Gardens with Satish and final reflections. Departure after lunch.
It is planned that walks will take place even if it is wet, but if weather conditions are extremely bad, we may need to change locations and timetable. Participants need to be reasonably fit and to come equipped with wet weather gear and good walking boots.
Forward by Rupert Sheldrake
Introduction by Satish Kumar
Green Books website for more information about the publication, due October 2009
Strictly limited number of places – early booking recommended.
Book your place now! – click here to access our on-line booking system
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For businesses: £1,200.
For individuals, NGOs & Educators: £700.
These include accommodation, food, all teaching sessions, transport to and from Dartmoor.
For further information about Schumacher College please see About the College
To provisionally reserve a place for 5 days, email us your contact details and the name of the course admin@schumachercollege.org.uk
We will hold the place for five working days for reservations – three weeks before a course or earlier. After five days we will automatically offer your place to someone else if we have not received your application.
