The Return to Naturalness
Basic information
Project Title
The Return to Naturalness
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
The purpose of the program “Return to Naturalness” is to inspire and practically guide people to discover their authentic naturalness.
The course program is designed to help us awaken our creativity, discover dormant abilities and affinities, ecological awareness, craft skills and practically train ourselves to live in harmony with nature, shearing that with other people helps developing togetherness and community.
The course program is designed to help us awaken our creativity, discover dormant abilities and affinities, ecological awareness, craft skills and practically train ourselves to live in harmony with nature, shearing that with other people helps developing togetherness and community.
Geographical Scope
Regional
Project Region
Central and sauthern region, Montenegro
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
We are Dejan and Vesna. For a number of years we have been practically dealing with the topic - development of consciousness, and for the last few years we have been striving to harmonize our lives with nature, cooperating and learning from it. Many of our acquaintances and friends are attracted to such a lifestyle, so we decided to create a course/program whose goal is to help people get closer to such a life. That's how we designed a multidisciplinary cycle of workshops that we called RTN.
It is a holistic course within which we have connected four related areas - consciousness development, permaculture, art and practical craft skills. The purpose and goal of our project is to bring people closer to their innate naturalness, to what is primordial in them through these topics and practical disciplines. When this is the case, people are more fulfilled, joyful, and satisfied. Such a people are open-minded and easily connects with other people, nature, such a people are responsible and care about people, the earth, the environment, nature, as well as themselves.
Our target group are all people who are interested and open to their own development and living in harmony with nature.
This September, we had the first cycle of workshops, which consisted of six one-day modules and was attended by a total of 21 people. The participants had the opportunity to learn techniques for improving their awareness as well as methods for freeing themselves from internal mental and emotional charges. We went through several permaculture topics such as: natural food growing, composting, mental ecology, bio texture, clay sculpting, and a special treat for them was practical work with hands-handcraft.
After the first cycle, we have great impressions. The participants are very satisfied because in a beautiful natural environment and through a whole series of diverse and useful topics, they got closer to their original selves and discovered some of their new abilities and skills.
It is a holistic course within which we have connected four related areas - consciousness development, permaculture, art and practical craft skills. The purpose and goal of our project is to bring people closer to their innate naturalness, to what is primordial in them through these topics and practical disciplines. When this is the case, people are more fulfilled, joyful, and satisfied. Such a people are open-minded and easily connects with other people, nature, such a people are responsible and care about people, the earth, the environment, nature, as well as themselves.
Our target group are all people who are interested and open to their own development and living in harmony with nature.
This September, we had the first cycle of workshops, which consisted of six one-day modules and was attended by a total of 21 people. The participants had the opportunity to learn techniques for improving their awareness as well as methods for freeing themselves from internal mental and emotional charges. We went through several permaculture topics such as: natural food growing, composting, mental ecology, bio texture, clay sculpting, and a special treat for them was practical work with hands-handcraft.
After the first cycle, we have great impressions. The participants are very satisfied because in a beautiful natural environment and through a whole series of diverse and useful topics, they got closer to their original selves and discovered some of their new abilities and skills.
Key objectives for sustainability
Through permaculture and its principles, our program promotes learning from nature and its processes, where we see cyclicity, permanence and sustainability.
We hold trainings on our property, which we built according to these principles, and we demonstrate these examples to the participants practically.
We compost all bio-waste in two ways - the classic way and the Bokashi way. We especially promote the Bokashi method to participants from urban areas with the hope that an increasing number of people will start composting in urban areas.
From the rest of the fruit we make a bioenzyme that is suitable for home hygiene, from eggshells we make liquid calcium for plants, and from citrus peels we make detergent for dishes.
We collect horse manure from nearby fields, which our California earthworms transform into high-quality soil for plants.
We regenerated the old chairs into new ones, the old bench that we found on the scrap now looks like new and beautifies our yard, and we made a wonderful greenhouse from the old windows in which we grow vegetable seedlings.
We are currently in an experiment where we make thermal insulation panels from sea grass and old cardboard boxes. Therefore, local natural and used material, naturally and sustainably.
We have just bought a low-energy and ecological stove for heating the house, which consumes thin branches and whose consumption is lower than conventional stoves. As it has a high percentage of fuel combustion (about 95%), it does not create exhaust gases in the form of smoke. In addition to reducing the costs of heating the house, in this way we want to send a message to our fellow citizens that we can heat ourselves without cutting down the whole tree, only the old branches, and without polluting the environment.
All of this we also promote on social networks, in this way we want to influence people, to show them the other way, to help them to heal from consumer mentality.
We hold trainings on our property, which we built according to these principles, and we demonstrate these examples to the participants practically.
We compost all bio-waste in two ways - the classic way and the Bokashi way. We especially promote the Bokashi method to participants from urban areas with the hope that an increasing number of people will start composting in urban areas.
From the rest of the fruit we make a bioenzyme that is suitable for home hygiene, from eggshells we make liquid calcium for plants, and from citrus peels we make detergent for dishes.
We collect horse manure from nearby fields, which our California earthworms transform into high-quality soil for plants.
We regenerated the old chairs into new ones, the old bench that we found on the scrap now looks like new and beautifies our yard, and we made a wonderful greenhouse from the old windows in which we grow vegetable seedlings.
We are currently in an experiment where we make thermal insulation panels from sea grass and old cardboard boxes. Therefore, local natural and used material, naturally and sustainably.
We have just bought a low-energy and ecological stove for heating the house, which consumes thin branches and whose consumption is lower than conventional stoves. As it has a high percentage of fuel combustion (about 95%), it does not create exhaust gases in the form of smoke. In addition to reducing the costs of heating the house, in this way we want to send a message to our fellow citizens that we can heat ourselves without cutting down the whole tree, only the old branches, and without polluting the environment.
All of this we also promote on social networks, in this way we want to influence people, to show them the other way, to help them to heal from consumer mentality.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Our program RTN is conceived as a multi-year project that will contribute to the development of people's consciousness in Montenegro. The main goal of this project is to turn people towards the original values in themselves and to make them aware that the greatest treasure is inside them. When people begin to discover that infinite beauty, magnificence, creativity are within themselves, they become satisfied and joyful, and such people can dedicate themselves to enriching their environment.
In our workshops, we first talk about how we feel and if we have negative feelings, we learn to transform them into peace. After that, we deal with the theoretical and practical part of the RTN program.
It is a real pleasure when you see that adults turn into playful and curious little children while learning new practical skills.
We had participants - girls who have an incredible gift for handcrafting, so we realize how unnaturally we are conditioned by a culture that divides jobs between men and women.
Here is the impression of our beloved associate Miliana Istijanovic:
"The RTN workshop was an inspiring experience. Through six diverse modules, I gained a deep understanding that everything matters when we work from the heart. The practical workshops were dynamic and inspiring, and included various topics and techniques such as: sea grass and cane insulation, smoothing walls, woodworking, contemporary art and sculpture. The hosts were extremely hospitable, warm-hearted and made sure that we all felt comfortable and in that way I became more aware of the importance of togetherness. The vegan lunch was not only delicious, but also a reflection of their commitment to a sustainable lifestyle. This workshop opened my heart to the importance of preserving naturalness both outside and inside and how to apply all that in everyday life. I hope that such projects will be more frequent and in this way people will be given the opportunity to jointly develop their potential.''
In our workshops, we first talk about how we feel and if we have negative feelings, we learn to transform them into peace. After that, we deal with the theoretical and practical part of the RTN program.
It is a real pleasure when you see that adults turn into playful and curious little children while learning new practical skills.
We had participants - girls who have an incredible gift for handcrafting, so we realize how unnaturally we are conditioned by a culture that divides jobs between men and women.
Here is the impression of our beloved associate Miliana Istijanovic:
"The RTN workshop was an inspiring experience. Through six diverse modules, I gained a deep understanding that everything matters when we work from the heart. The practical workshops were dynamic and inspiring, and included various topics and techniques such as: sea grass and cane insulation, smoothing walls, woodworking, contemporary art and sculpture. The hosts were extremely hospitable, warm-hearted and made sure that we all felt comfortable and in that way I became more aware of the importance of togetherness. The vegan lunch was not only delicious, but also a reflection of their commitment to a sustainable lifestyle. This workshop opened my heart to the importance of preserving naturalness both outside and inside and how to apply all that in everyday life. I hope that such projects will be more frequent and in this way people will be given the opportunity to jointly develop their potential.''
Key objectives for inclusion
We believe that the pace of human development and the overall quality of life directly depend on a supportive community. Thus, togetherness is a value to which we have paid special attention. Given that we have decided to live in harmony with nature and build a self-sustaining property according to permaculture principles (which is rare in Montenegro), we have also decided to share all valuable knowledge and discoveries with the community.
This is how the RTN program was born, which is open to all people who recognize the values we share. We advertise all our activities in advance through social networks and invite people to join us on the common path of our development. Also, after the completed activities, we make a detailed summary of what has been achieved, which we also publish publicly to promote the naturalist way of life. In addition to regular participants, our friends and children also actively participate in our workshops.
It is very attractive to people because we combine art and craft skills in our workshops. Vasilisa (12 years old) always demonstrates her ballet skills to us, while Alexije (4 years old) is interested in master crafts. Others are interested in skills such as smoothing wall surfaces, working with wood and glass, playing the piano, molding plastic, etc.
Well-known Montenegrin artists who have significant public influence, also participate in our project, so that an increasing number of people learn about it and are interested in the program "The Return of Naturalness".
For the past few years, we have been writing for the Croatian permaculture portal "Perforum" on permaculture topics, and a large number of people from the region follow our work. The goal is to organize regional camps for adults after building the supporting infrastructure, and we also have the idea to adapt this program to children, where the main emphasis will be on the topic of permaculture and the development of practical skills among young people.
This is how the RTN program was born, which is open to all people who recognize the values we share. We advertise all our activities in advance through social networks and invite people to join us on the common path of our development. Also, after the completed activities, we make a detailed summary of what has been achieved, which we also publish publicly to promote the naturalist way of life. In addition to regular participants, our friends and children also actively participate in our workshops.
It is very attractive to people because we combine art and craft skills in our workshops. Vasilisa (12 years old) always demonstrates her ballet skills to us, while Alexije (4 years old) is interested in master crafts. Others are interested in skills such as smoothing wall surfaces, working with wood and glass, playing the piano, molding plastic, etc.
Well-known Montenegrin artists who have significant public influence, also participate in our project, so that an increasing number of people learn about it and are interested in the program "The Return of Naturalness".
For the past few years, we have been writing for the Croatian permaculture portal "Perforum" on permaculture topics, and a large number of people from the region follow our work. The goal is to organize regional camps for adults after building the supporting infrastructure, and we also have the idea to adapt this program to children, where the main emphasis will be on the topic of permaculture and the development of practical skills among young people.
Results in relation to category
The first cycle of the program RTN exceeded all our expectations and the overall impression is that it helped the participants to expand their consciousness, to acquire a series of knowledge and practical skills that brought them closer to nature.
The following is the impression of our participant Natalie Lux, author of the "School of conscious living" from Zagreb:
"I'm Natalie Lux. I am conducting the "School of conscious living" in Zagreb.
I participated in a one-day workshop as part of the program "Return to Naturalness" and I am delighted with the concept of the course.
I like his holistic approach which resulted in me having a pleasant feeling of fulfillment and completeness throughout the day.
The leader easily led us from the spiritual to the physical level and gradually connected both levels into one whole.
At the workshop, two artists, each in their own way, enabled us to experience and activate our creative potential.
The whole time I was under the strong impression of how important it is in everyday life, regardless of what activity you are engaged in, to be aware of your creative center, your being.
I believe that this holistic approach should become a new paradigm of human living and action.
In this way, each individual could "recognize" what he really wants to do and what he wants to contribute to society and the community.
I would like it if this kind of workshop became an integral part of practical teaching in primary and secondary schools.
Also at the university, because most of the exercises that are practiced within individual studies, do not include the dimension of spiritual awareness, without which every work becomes difficult and tiring.
I think the time has come to integrate the spiritual and physical dimensions of practical work.
That is why I am truly grateful to the authors of the program "Return to Naturalness" for their initiative.
All in all, a great concept and great results.''
The following is the impression of our participant Natalie Lux, author of the "School of conscious living" from Zagreb:
"I'm Natalie Lux. I am conducting the "School of conscious living" in Zagreb.
I participated in a one-day workshop as part of the program "Return to Naturalness" and I am delighted with the concept of the course.
I like his holistic approach which resulted in me having a pleasant feeling of fulfillment and completeness throughout the day.
The leader easily led us from the spiritual to the physical level and gradually connected both levels into one whole.
At the workshop, two artists, each in their own way, enabled us to experience and activate our creative potential.
The whole time I was under the strong impression of how important it is in everyday life, regardless of what activity you are engaged in, to be aware of your creative center, your being.
I believe that this holistic approach should become a new paradigm of human living and action.
In this way, each individual could "recognize" what he really wants to do and what he wants to contribute to society and the community.
I would like it if this kind of workshop became an integral part of practical teaching in primary and secondary schools.
Also at the university, because most of the exercises that are practiced within individual studies, do not include the dimension of spiritual awareness, without which every work becomes difficult and tiring.
I think the time has come to integrate the spiritual and physical dimensions of practical work.
That is why I am truly grateful to the authors of the program "Return to Naturalness" for their initiative.
All in all, a great concept and great results.''
How Citizens benefit
We believe that the impact of our project on citizens and society in general is very significant. We see that with our actions we are contributing to a change in the awareness of our community, so more and more people are starting to apply an organic approach to gardening and to compost their bio-waste. In Montenegro, permaculture is not represented, so we are rare practical promoters of this important and useful field for people and nature. We feel like educators, but also like inspirers and initiators of a simple/natural life that is close to nature. One of our great contributions to the community is to practically show that despite all life's challenges, it is possible to turn the course of life.
On the other hand, the people we invited to join our program "The Return of Naturalness" were happy to get involved and contribute to the project on a wide range of topics such as: Mental Ecology, EM organisms, sculpture, art...
People contact us saying that they see us spreading the meaning of life, in these very challenging times and that it is very encouraging for them. Children love coming to our workshops and their testimony is that they have rarely felt so good somewhere and they ask their parents when they will be brought again.
We also perceive our workshops as therapeutic because people's life tone and mood are visibly raised after them.
The following is a review of one of our participants and associates:
"This was a wonderful and very valuable experience for me. It completely displaces us from our everyday life (obligations, stress, bustle, unconsciousness...), and makes us forget about the external world. Intoxicated with childlike curiosity, we absorb new knowledge of the benefits of nature that was given to us through playfulness of practical work and socializing... I wished to live such a life, not to leave the estate. Nowadays, it is of inestimable value that we have the opportunity to attend such workshops .''
- Jelena Ergić
On the other hand, the people we invited to join our program "The Return of Naturalness" were happy to get involved and contribute to the project on a wide range of topics such as: Mental Ecology, EM organisms, sculpture, art...
People contact us saying that they see us spreading the meaning of life, in these very challenging times and that it is very encouraging for them. Children love coming to our workshops and their testimony is that they have rarely felt so good somewhere and they ask their parents when they will be brought again.
We also perceive our workshops as therapeutic because people's life tone and mood are visibly raised after them.
The following is a review of one of our participants and associates:
"This was a wonderful and very valuable experience for me. It completely displaces us from our everyday life (obligations, stress, bustle, unconsciousness...), and makes us forget about the external world. Intoxicated with childlike curiosity, we absorb new knowledge of the benefits of nature that was given to us through playfulness of practical work and socializing... I wished to live such a life, not to leave the estate. Nowadays, it is of inestimable value that we have the opportunity to attend such workshops .''
- Jelena Ergić
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
There are several innovative practices within the project. First of all, connecting permaculture, art and the topic of consciousness development into one harmonious ensemble is something completely new. Why do we think it is important to connect permaculture and art with the development of consciousness, that is, with inner development?
A very large number of people within the permaculture community believe that the biggest problem on Earth today is environmental and say that permaculture will save the world. We believe that the biggest problem is that man has become alienated from ourselves and we believe that returning to our natural self is the most important step towards healing society, and thus ecology. A man who is connected to his essence is consequently connected to all of nature and respects its universal laws.
In Montenegro, we have a big problem with waste. Many activities are being undertaken to change this, but the results are not satisfactory. At these workshops, we offer a completely new approach. We believe that external waste is a reflection of our internal waste, which manifests itself in the form of constant and repetitive thought flow and negative emotions, and we believe that it is the cause of external waste. In these workshops, we talk a lot about cleaning that internal waste and do practical exercises that aim to free us from those recurring thoughts and negative emotions of fear, worry, anger, etc. We encourage the understanding that taking care of internal and external waste must be done at the same time. When people learn how to clean themselves from the inside, they become environmentally responsible and begin to adequately care for the cleanliness of their surroundings.
A very large number of people within the permaculture community believe that the biggest problem on Earth today is environmental and say that permaculture will save the world. We believe that the biggest problem is that man has become alienated from ourselves and we believe that returning to our natural self is the most important step towards healing society, and thus ecology. A man who is connected to his essence is consequently connected to all of nature and respects its universal laws.
In Montenegro, we have a big problem with waste. Many activities are being undertaken to change this, but the results are not satisfactory. At these workshops, we offer a completely new approach. We believe that external waste is a reflection of our internal waste, which manifests itself in the form of constant and repetitive thought flow and negative emotions, and we believe that it is the cause of external waste. In these workshops, we talk a lot about cleaning that internal waste and do practical exercises that aim to free us from those recurring thoughts and negative emotions of fear, worry, anger, etc. We encourage the understanding that taking care of internal and external waste must be done at the same time. When people learn how to clean themselves from the inside, they become environmentally responsible and begin to adequately care for the cleanliness of their surroundings.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Through the project - many fields were represented, such as: development of consciousness, permaculture, natural gardening, mental ecology, vertical gardens, EM technology, waste management, clay sculpting and many artisanal skills.
Within the development of consciousness we were taught a series of techniques for emptying the contents of consciousness and keeping our mental space clean and tidy. We also practiced the transformation of negative feelings into peace and practiced awareness within all the activities we engaged in.
Through natural gardening, we learned about natural processes that contribute to the production of original and healthy food. We talked about sustainable growing of vegetables on smaller areas, as well as self-sustaining fruit growing and food forests on larger areas.
We practically started a garden bed without digging, engaged in seed production and learned how to revive the land, and planted old autochthonous types of fruit.
With the vertical gardens workshop, we showed the participants how to grow some plants and food on a small balcony area and how we can enrich urban environments with greenery. We practically made the elements of the vertical garden using old wooden pallets and used plastic pipes.
Favorite part of the workshop was the craft skills and working with hands. The participants made a number of things: a bird feeder, a hotel for California earthworms, natural detergent for dishes, liquid fertilizers for plants, compost tea for revitalizing the soil, they learned how to sand wood, cut glass and smooth wall surfaces.
People were open to learning, enthusiastic and joyful. There was wonderful energy, and the leaders of different fields and scientific disciplines complemented each other nicely and were cooperative.
At these workshops, we try to establish conscious communication, and that helps us achieve good mutual understanding and harmonious relations.
Within the development of consciousness we were taught a series of techniques for emptying the contents of consciousness and keeping our mental space clean and tidy. We also practiced the transformation of negative feelings into peace and practiced awareness within all the activities we engaged in.
Through natural gardening, we learned about natural processes that contribute to the production of original and healthy food. We talked about sustainable growing of vegetables on smaller areas, as well as self-sustaining fruit growing and food forests on larger areas.
We practically started a garden bed without digging, engaged in seed production and learned how to revive the land, and planted old autochthonous types of fruit.
With the vertical gardens workshop, we showed the participants how to grow some plants and food on a small balcony area and how we can enrich urban environments with greenery. We practically made the elements of the vertical garden using old wooden pallets and used plastic pipes.
Favorite part of the workshop was the craft skills and working with hands. The participants made a number of things: a bird feeder, a hotel for California earthworms, natural detergent for dishes, liquid fertilizers for plants, compost tea for revitalizing the soil, they learned how to sand wood, cut glass and smooth wall surfaces.
People were open to learning, enthusiastic and joyful. There was wonderful energy, and the leaders of different fields and scientific disciplines complemented each other nicely and were cooperative.
At these workshops, we try to establish conscious communication, and that helps us achieve good mutual understanding and harmonious relations.
Methodology used
The methodology we used in the program was oral lectures, group interaction and practical workshops.
The project included six one-day weekend modules. In each module, we covered a different topic.
We will describe what a one-day module of the program RTN looks like in practice:
- We meet from 9 a.m. at our family estate, which is surrounded by an oak forest and with a beautiful view of the sea.
- We call the block from 9 to 11 a.m. interactive, and then each participant presents something that is currently important to him, whether it is a current problem or a project, plan, or vision. All the others listen to it with the intention of being as present and aware as possible. This block aims to connect, harmonize and bring us into a relaxed and receptive state for the topics and lectures that follow.
- From 11 a.m. we have a theoretical lecture and it is always related to a specific topic. We had nine different topics:
- Self-development and permaculture - living in harmony with nature
- Natural gardening - living food
- Mental ecology
- Development of consciousness
- Play in Clay – clay modeling
- Biowaste is a resource - composting
- Effective microorganisms
- Bokashi composting
- Biotexture – Vertical gardens
A vegetarian lunch and a break followed in 1 p.m.
From 2 p.m. we had practical workshops and work with our hands. In this block of socializing, we learned some practical skills such as smoothing wall surfaces, working with wood, plastic, clay, glass, and we practically made insulation from sea grass, bird feeders, elements of vertical gardens, a bench for sitting, liquids for house hygiene maintenance, bokashi and regular compost, liquid fertilizers for plants, microbiological soil improver, plaster art, small-format land art, and we also started an organic garden, planted plants and cultivated indigenous fruit species.
The program officially ended at 5 p.m., but we always stayed longer.
The project included six one-day weekend modules. In each module, we covered a different topic.
We will describe what a one-day module of the program RTN looks like in practice:
- We meet from 9 a.m. at our family estate, which is surrounded by an oak forest and with a beautiful view of the sea.
- We call the block from 9 to 11 a.m. interactive, and then each participant presents something that is currently important to him, whether it is a current problem or a project, plan, or vision. All the others listen to it with the intention of being as present and aware as possible. This block aims to connect, harmonize and bring us into a relaxed and receptive state for the topics and lectures that follow.
- From 11 a.m. we have a theoretical lecture and it is always related to a specific topic. We had nine different topics:
- Self-development and permaculture - living in harmony with nature
- Natural gardening - living food
- Mental ecology
- Development of consciousness
- Play in Clay – clay modeling
- Biowaste is a resource - composting
- Effective microorganisms
- Bokashi composting
- Biotexture – Vertical gardens
A vegetarian lunch and a break followed in 1 p.m.
From 2 p.m. we had practical workshops and work with our hands. In this block of socializing, we learned some practical skills such as smoothing wall surfaces, working with wood, plastic, clay, glass, and we practically made insulation from sea grass, bird feeders, elements of vertical gardens, a bench for sitting, liquids for house hygiene maintenance, bokashi and regular compost, liquid fertilizers for plants, microbiological soil improver, plaster art, small-format land art, and we also started an organic garden, planted plants and cultivated indigenous fruit species.
The program officially ended at 5 p.m., but we always stayed longer.
How stakeholders are engaged
Through this project, we did not cooperate with official institutions, except for one media house that took an interest in the RTN program and gave us some media TV space.
The collaborators of the project were individuals from the fields of art, science and spirituality, and we will transmit these experiences.
In the official part of the program, two well-known artists Milena Živković and Milijana Istijanović took part, as well as the representative of Japanese EM technology Boris Jabučanin. The guest of the program was the Croatian writer Natalie Luks, who is the founder of the "School of Conscious Living" from Zagreb and who has 30 years of experience in working with people in the field of developing human consciousness.
All of them contributed to the project and the participants in their specific ways.
Natalie shared with us about her many years of experience in working with people, gave her contribution to the topic of conscious living and held a lecture on how to practically develop consciousness.
Visual artist Milena convinced us with her specific energy that the artist resides in every person, regardless of education, and that it is necessary to be discovered and awakened. She presented us with her project "Mental Ecology" and guided us through the synaesthesia exercise for the development of creativity and through the creation of small-format Land art.
Sculptor Milijana gave us a practical "Play in clay" workshop and made that playful child who put her hands in clay awaken in us. She completed what Milena started - she made us practically feel the creator and artist in ourselves through the creation of a sculpture.
Through the story of Em microorganisms, Boris showed us how regenerative nature is. He demonstrated to us the power of these tiny creatures in the field of soil and river purification, bio waste, composting and human, plant and animal health.
With his patience and calmness, he demonstrated to us how calm, unhurried and gradual nature is.
The collaborators of the project were individuals from the fields of art, science and spirituality, and we will transmit these experiences.
In the official part of the program, two well-known artists Milena Živković and Milijana Istijanović took part, as well as the representative of Japanese EM technology Boris Jabučanin. The guest of the program was the Croatian writer Natalie Luks, who is the founder of the "School of Conscious Living" from Zagreb and who has 30 years of experience in working with people in the field of developing human consciousness.
All of them contributed to the project and the participants in their specific ways.
Natalie shared with us about her many years of experience in working with people, gave her contribution to the topic of conscious living and held a lecture on how to practically develop consciousness.
Visual artist Milena convinced us with her specific energy that the artist resides in every person, regardless of education, and that it is necessary to be discovered and awakened. She presented us with her project "Mental Ecology" and guided us through the synaesthesia exercise for the development of creativity and through the creation of small-format Land art.
Sculptor Milijana gave us a practical "Play in clay" workshop and made that playful child who put her hands in clay awaken in us. She completed what Milena started - she made us practically feel the creator and artist in ourselves through the creation of a sculpture.
Through the story of Em microorganisms, Boris showed us how regenerative nature is. He demonstrated to us the power of these tiny creatures in the field of soil and river purification, bio waste, composting and human, plant and animal health.
With his patience and calmness, he demonstrated to us how calm, unhurried and gradual nature is.
Global challenges
Nowadays, we see an increasing alienation of people, both from each other and from nature. Also in this era, man relies more and more mentally and physically on technology, and less and less on himself and his abilities. We think that technology is useful, but full reliance on it leads to the decline of our psychophysical capacities and we are reduced more and more to becoming consumers, which is a shame when we were born as creators.
What we can also see today is the increasing consumer mentality of man. Our program "The Return of Naturalness" is the answer to these challenges and provides adequate solutions. Through attentive, compassionate listening, we develop mutual connection and build a spirit of community. We learn not to judge other people and their actions and thus bring more understanding and empathy into our relationships. This is how we help others overcome their own challenging moments, unsupportive habits and behaviors. This kind of relationship even has a therapeutic effect and strongly influences the strengthened bonds between people.
We decided to practice working with our hands as much as possible in these workshops and to make new and useful ones from old materials and objects. With new skills, we awaken our hands and the playful child in us, we develop dormant abilities, and by using already used materials, we overcome the spirit of consumerism.
We place great emphasis on the connection and interdependence of man and nature. We become aware of how all our lifestyles are destructive to nature and discover how we are actually harmful to ourselves. That's why we observe natural processes and, learning from nature, we try to overcome our harmful lifestyles for the general well-being of both humans and nature.
What we can also see today is the increasing consumer mentality of man. Our program "The Return of Naturalness" is the answer to these challenges and provides adequate solutions. Through attentive, compassionate listening, we develop mutual connection and build a spirit of community. We learn not to judge other people and their actions and thus bring more understanding and empathy into our relationships. This is how we help others overcome their own challenging moments, unsupportive habits and behaviors. This kind of relationship even has a therapeutic effect and strongly influences the strengthened bonds between people.
We decided to practice working with our hands as much as possible in these workshops and to make new and useful ones from old materials and objects. With new skills, we awaken our hands and the playful child in us, we develop dormant abilities, and by using already used materials, we overcome the spirit of consumerism.
We place great emphasis on the connection and interdependence of man and nature. We become aware of how all our lifestyles are destructive to nature and discover how we are actually harmful to ourselves. That's why we observe natural processes and, learning from nature, we try to overcome our harmful lifestyles for the general well-being of both humans and nature.
Learning transferred to other parties
One of the most important aspects of the program "The Return of Naturalness" is a person's "awareness". We designed these workshops to practice and develop awareness through all the activities we carry out. When we work in the garden, we are aware of ourselves, our hands, the surrounding sounds, the plant we plant in the ground. When we work with clay, we feel the touch with this natural material, its flexibility, we are aware of how we sit, breathe. When we do craft skills, we feel with increased attention the tools we use, our body position and the raw material we work with. When we eat, we feel the structure of the food, its taste, smell, color, and at the same time we try to feel our body.
In this way, the thought processes that drag us energetically into the past or the future, becomes silent and we can put all our attention simultaneously on ourselves and on what we are currently doing.
This has a number of results: we are more alive and energetic, new ideas and solutions come to us more easily, we are more creative and flexible, engagement makes us less tired and we feel lightness, there is greater interest in the work process itself . In this way, we bliss and radiate good energy in everything we do. Plants planted in this way are more cheerful, the objects we make more alive, and our works more vibrant. Such foods and items have a beneficial effect on the people who use them.
The participants were delighted with this approach, as it generates a wonderful and supportive energy. People who follow us through social networks send us impressions that they feel wonderful while looking at the photos and reading about the workshops.
The author of the "School of conscious living", Natalie Luks, and the influential Montenegrin visual artist Milena Živković, believe that such workshops should become part of the education system, from the youngest ages to university.
This is the greatest value of this course and we wholeheartedly recommend this approach.
In this way, the thought processes that drag us energetically into the past or the future, becomes silent and we can put all our attention simultaneously on ourselves and on what we are currently doing.
This has a number of results: we are more alive and energetic, new ideas and solutions come to us more easily, we are more creative and flexible, engagement makes us less tired and we feel lightness, there is greater interest in the work process itself . In this way, we bliss and radiate good energy in everything we do. Plants planted in this way are more cheerful, the objects we make more alive, and our works more vibrant. Such foods and items have a beneficial effect on the people who use them.
The participants were delighted with this approach, as it generates a wonderful and supportive energy. People who follow us through social networks send us impressions that they feel wonderful while looking at the photos and reading about the workshops.
The author of the "School of conscious living", Natalie Luks, and the influential Montenegrin visual artist Milena Živković, believe that such workshops should become part of the education system, from the youngest ages to university.
This is the greatest value of this course and we wholeheartedly recommend this approach.
Keywords
Consciousness
Naturalness
Permaculture
Autenticity/ Creativity
Togetherness
