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Ecological Building Projects at
Divinya - What a learning!
The last four months have been truly a great journey and we
have learned so much and have grown as individuals and as
a community. We learned about eco-construction, how to
work with the different materials and how to create
together. Moreover, since the construction sector typically
comes with strong gender based stereotypes and behavior
patterns, this project became a beautiful opportunity for us
to reflect on this topic and to meet and transcend those
situations.
"We are not just
building
a building,
but building
a community.
Building
a community
means, building
Consciousness !"
We could observe how gender roles function in our societies
and how we inherit them, telling us what a 'man' or a
'woman' can or cannot do or how they should behave. In
contrast to the 'typical' construction site which is usually
dominated by a certain “macho” attitude, the atmosphere at
our construction site was filled with what is usually
considered 'feminine' qualities. We were caring for each
other, patient with each other, giving everyone the space to
learn and to try out new things some of us might have never
done before. People were singing, joking and laughing or
simply in serene silence while working together. When
people came to visit us, they were often surprised to find
such a clean, organized, peaceful and joyful scene.
Divinya is all about giving a new reference of
living, providing a space for personal
transformation and liberation. When the possi-
bilities to act expand, when new ways to express
oneself are available, in that very moment
liberation happens. As a conclusion we can truly
say: We haven't simply built a building, we have
been building consciousness.
insulation in the walls and the Ice-Stick heating system, everything is carefully chosen to create a
building as environment friendly as possible. And there is so much more to learn about design and
architecture! The composition of materials, shapes, forms and colors create a sensation of
spaciousness, harmony and transparency. Every detail is so thoroughly thought through. In the
building process I have learned so much about myself and how people can create together. To
learn about ecological building at Divinya means not only to learn how to build a sustainable
building, but it is all about building a sustainable human relationship; to learn how to create an
experience that is ecological in its own. Our intentions and the way we work together must be
harmonious, otherwise it cannot be called 'ecological'. I came to understand: To create a more
sustainable world outside, we first have to learn to become more sustainable within ourselves.
Learning architecture at Divinya means learning inner architecture and how we are constructed
ourselves.”
Karl, Sweden, Participant of the Ecology & Spirituality Course
-
"I have been engaged in the
construction project from the
beginning to the end and I can
say that I have learned so
much more about practical
architecture than I did in two
years of architecture studies at
University. It was an amazing
experience to build with all the
ecological material: From the
wooden structure, the perlite in
the foundation, to the hemp
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In Awe of the Abundance of our
Permaculture Garden
Whenever we enter our big permaculture garden, such a joy
and awe befall us in view of such an abundance and beauty!
This year we have diligently continued with
making new garden beds and like that, the great
landscaped geometry including the close-by lake, is
coming closer to its final form and contributing to the
overall natural harmony. Vegetables and flowers in a
joyful play of shapes and colors, give us the direct
experience how vibrant, overflowing life and peaceful
and serene calmness are no contradictions to each
other, but can come together just perfectly – giving us
inspiration for how we ourselves wish to bloom and to
flourish in vibrant aliveness and graceful peacefulness.
In our garden many Divinya values and components are
brought to life. For us the garden is not only about
producing as efficiently as possible as much food as
possible, which would mean to re-create the old paradigm
of seeing nature only as something to exploit for human
needs. We are very aware of the precious opportunity it
gives us to experience directly our connection with nature
and the cosmic movements. When we work with the soil
and the plants, we make sure to act with peace and love.
After all, these plants will reach our plates and our bodies,
passing on to us all the information they have collected
during their lifespans. They were allowed to grow under the
sun and in the fresh air, purely, without any pesticides or
any financial interest involved. What is more, we have put so
much loving care into them, both in the garden as well as in
the kitchen.
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As a consequence, they will nurture our bodies not only
with energy from the sun and the soil, but with the
information of freedom and love. This is why we become
still for a moment before each meal to thank for the
food, and in our mind’s eye we see the living plants
swaying in the wind in the garden, we see the sun and
the rain and all the people, all the hands who have been
involved to bring this food on our plate.
What a blessing, what a gratitude!
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1-year program
Ecology & Spirituality
Although the community is living in quarantine at the
moment, we are offering the opportunity to take part in the
life at Divinya to sincere aspirants, who want to make a life
transforming experience in our 1-year Ecology & Spirituality
Course. This course is designed to bring a deeper
understanding of life, key answers to the quest of a
sustainable future for all and an understanding of how to
practically take part in the shift in consciousness towards a
new, ecological and divine era. The aim of the course is
personal transformation, finding one’s passion and function
in this life and learning skills and wisdom to create the life
which one wants to live. It is an invitation to explore
possibilities of a harmonious coexistence and deep spiritual
connection with oneself, with others and with nature,
widening our individual human perspective and
approaching life from a new, positive standpoint.
You are welcome to rediscover your true potential in life. Use
the special time that humanity is facing at the moment, to
listen within and to focus on what world you would like to live
in. Let’s create it in joyful togetherness! Welcome to the
Ecology & Spirituality program - to take part in the life
transforming living and learning process at Divinya.
If you are interested in taking the Course please visit our
website to find more information about it:
https://www.divinya.org/ecology-and-spirituality/
The path of the
sustainable Yogi
The path of the sustainable Yogi
participants can join in
every month
"It has been around four weeks since I joined the Divinya
community and so much is happening to me right now.
Living here has been confronting me every day in such a
beautiful way. I feel so much space to explore the
connection I share with myself, with other people and with
nature. The life at Divinya is helping me to become aware of
conditioned behaviour and to consciously choose how I
want to respond instead, beyond any role that has been
taught to me in society. The typical gender behaviour is
something major that I really want to free myself from. I had
felt a contradiction within myself for a while already before I
came here, but only at Divinya it became so clear to me: This
contradiction of wanting to be a leader who is daring to
share her vision with others without being afraid of others’
opinions, but at the same time acting like a small girl who is
afraid to speak up for herself all the time. Now I can see
through the identities I have been telling myself is ‘me’
much more.
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Newcomer's Inner View
"Transformation
is when your
past imprints
don't influence
your present
any more."
It feels so liberating to realize that the small girl I have been
acting like, is not me. With new insights comes new behavior.
So right now I am engaged in the construction a lot, learning
how to use the sawing machine, placing floor insulation or
working on a scaffold. I hear this small girl thinking she can’t
do it, but she is not me. I can build, I am strong, I am a leader -
leading my own destination."
Veerle, Netherlands,
Participant of the Ecology & Spirituality Course
We celebrate autumn at Divinya with all our
senses. When we harvest in our garden, nature
presents itself in all its colors and fantasy.
Grateful for such a contribution from our
garden, this recipe brings a delicious autumn
experience into our kitchen. Today Florie
shares our favorite pumpkin soup recipe and
her experience at Divinya with you.
Ingredients ( for 4-5 people):
1 kg of pumpkin A pinch of nutmeg
1/2 leek 1 tbs of vegetable bouillon
1 stalk celery Salt
Sunflower oil
"During my time in Divinya I learned that
cooking is not just a simple act; it is not
just about cutting vegetables, adding a few
spices, mixing it together and making it
look beautiful, but it is an expression of
love itself. Every day is an opportunity
given to me to express the love I have
inside. To take care of the people with
whom I live. To give joy. To provide them
with the energy required to keep on
building Divinya, our consciousness and
our home.”
Florie, France
Cooking Instructions:
Cut the pumpkin into medium size cubes (you
can keep the skin on). Cut the leek and the
celery. Pour some sunflower oil into a pot. Fry
the leek and the celery for a few minutes until
they are very soft. Add the vegetable bouillon,
the salt and the pumpkin. Add some hot water
until the vegetables are entirely covered. Let it
cook for 20 - 30 minutes until the pumpkin is
soft. Add a pinch of nutmeg. Blend everything
together. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.
Enjoy your meal!
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A Divinya Recipe: Autumn Pumpkin Soup
