Remembering, Renewing, and Reweaving
Ecological Belonging x Regional Hearth Summits
With a name inspired by the fires around which humanity has gathered since the dawn of time, regional Hearth Summits are built on a profound appreciation for ritual, tradition, and culture. They epitomize a harmonious fusion of local traditions and global connectivity, fostering a profound discovery of cultural heritage and our intrinsic bond with nature. At the core of this exploration of Ecological Belonging: living in an ongoing interconnected relationship with ourselves, each other and our broader natural world.
These locally-led, globally-connected, and universally human events serve as vibrant hubs where communities converge to celebrate and preserve their unique customs. Through storytelling, workshops, and experiential learning, the Hearth Summits invite changemakers to a global dialogue rooted in the authenticity of local identities and a shared reverence for the natural world.
Across the regional Hearth Summits, discover how local communities are remembering their inherent bond with the world, reweaving ancient rituals into modern-day life, and reconnecting with the natural environment. Want to go deeper into the world of Ecological Belonging? Join our global movement.
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RECONNECTING WITH NATURE
“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.”
Gary Snyder
With many events hosted in the heart of local landscapes, changemakers immerse themselves in the raw beauty of their surroundings, allowing nature’s awesome wisdom to permeate every aspect of the Hearth Summit experience.
Nestled in the gardens of Tamarind Brasserie, Hearth Summit Nairobi offered changemakers a serene retreat into nature, with forests, flowers, and even new friends: cats, hares, tortoises, and monkeys regularly roamed through the space throughout the event.
Immersed in the magical landscape of the Omega Institute, changemakers at the first regional summit in North America were able to connect to each other and themselves, all in the awe-inspiring environment of the 250-acre campus.
In Athens, changemakers enjoyed a walk up historic Filapappou Hill. As one of Athens’ few public green spaces, wildlife photographer Andrea Bonetti guided changemakers on a serene walk along with a critical reflection on climate change, urban planning, and green spaces.
A “Planting Manifestation” station let changemakers contribute to Bangalore Creative Circus‘ permaculture garden. The activity guided them through a meditation as they held their plants, touched the soil, watered the sapling, and planted seeds of dreams into the earth.
Nestled on the banks of the Guarapiranga dam, The Wellbeing Summit São Paulo offered a pristine view of the Brazilian coast, including 200,000 m2 of preserved Atlantic forest, home to 290 native species that have been re-introduced to the environment, thanks to Clube de Campo’s conservation efforts.
The permaculture garden at Bangalore Creative Circus offered participants a serene space to reflect on the Summit’s theme of Ecological Belonging, enjoying a full multi-sensory experience with the garden’s different landscapes and treasures.
ENTERING IN DIALOGUE WITH THE EARTH
“Nature is the source of all true knowledge.”
Leonardo Da Vinci
Ecological Belonging and planetary wellbeing were key themes at Hearth Summit Nairobi, hosted in the biodiverse Karen neighborhood. A diverse group of experts – Fridah Kiboori, Nyaguthii Chege, Constant Cap, and Kevin Juma – shared perspectives on contributors and inhibitors to ecological wellbeing in Kenya. Reflecting on the drastic environmental changes over the years in Kenya, they offered ideas for different solutions to promote conservation, regeneration, and healthy cities, focusing on common themes like justice, grassroots empowerment, equity, and financing.
In Bangalore, a diverse panel on Ecological Belonging brought three perspectives on social change in India and the importance of reconnecting with nature. Abhayraj Naik, Co-Founder of the Institute of Climate Action, discussed the profound spiritual dynamic of the human-nature relationship; Dr. Mala Kapadia, Director of the Anaadi Foundation Center for Indigenous Knowledge Systems, reflected on India’s unique cultural traditions and their roots in nature; and Naveen Vasudeva, Co-Founder of Ritambhara, presented the deep wisdom and hope one can find in Yoga.
INTERGENERATIONAL EDUCATION
SESSION AT HEARTH SUMMIT HIGHER ED
INDIAN WISDOM AND CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP
SESSION AT HEARTH SUMMIT HIGHER ED
REWEAVING RITUALS
“Learning to touch deeply the jewels of our own tradition will allow us to understand and appreciate the values of other traditions, and this will benefit everyone.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
Bringing together people from all backgrounds, the regional Hearth Summits invite local communities to share their vibrant cultural heritage and wisdom. This celebration of diversity enriches us all, inviting cross-cultural, intergenerational dialogues and preservation of treasured indigenous ways of life.
YOGA AND
CONSCIOUS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
SESSION AT Hearth Summit São Paulo
In São Paulo, Marco Schultz, coordinator of Simply Yoga, shared a profound, transdisciplinary approach to human development, drawing on various traditions of India and other Eastern and Western cultures. This approach to self-awareness and self-knowledge encompasses the spiritual and integral aspect of the human condition. Watch the session (in Portuguese).
On the Philippine island of Siquijor, traditional healers have been practising spiritual forms of healing for generations. Their rituals are deeply connected to the immense biodiversity of the Philippines and the island itself — one of the most remotely populated within the nearly 8,000 islands in the Philippines, of which only about 2,000 are inhabited by humans. Today, these practices have become intertwined with Catholicism, the primary religion in the country, though traditional spirituality remains taboo at times. Hearth Summit Philippines, hosted in collaboration with the Siquijor Healers Association, invited Filipino changemakers to reconnect with Indigenous ways of knowing and their overall impact on wellbeing. Learn more about the Siquijor healers and a Philippine take on wellbeing.
In Brussels, Buddhist monk Bart Weetjens led the crowd in a chant of the ancient Shigu Siegan Mon, or the four great vows of the Boddhisatva. This sutra represents the ideal of all Buddhists: to liberate all beings by practising the ways of the Buddha. Watch the magical moment here of changemakers chanting alongside Bart, and practice it yourself:
Shujō muhen sei gan do: Living beings are limitless, I vow to to liberate them all / Bon-no mujin sei gan dan: Delusions are inexhaustible, I vow to understand them all / Ho mon muryō sei gan gaku: Gates of Truth are incalculable, I vow to count them all /Butsu do mujō sei gan jo: The way of awakening is unsurpassable, I vow to attain it
THE COREGUAJES
AT HEARTH SUMMIT BOGOTA
The Coreguajes make up a native indigenous ethnic culture in Caquetá, Colombia. Living in practical isolation in the depths of the Amazonian jungle, their native language is Korebajü, which means, “children of the earth.” In the session, “Explore With the Coreguajes: What Moves You?” changemakers in Bogotá connected with the Coreguajes’ sacred dance practices.In their culture, dance is the means to heal the spirit and connect with nature. They see this world as controlled by spirits or forces that determine the way the course of events, such as natural disasters, weather, scarcity and abundance of food, health, and death unfold. Dance is therefore the way they harmonize these events to be able to live with certain security.
MORE STORIES FROM THE REGIONAL HEARTH SUMMITS
About Ecological Belonging
HE TIKUNA
Members of the Tikuna, one of the largest indigenous groups in Colombia, joined The Wellbeing Summit Bogotá to share one of their culture’s wellbeing practices. Living deep within the lush Colombian Amazon rainforest, the Tikuna call themselves “The Children of Water”. They have a deep connection with nature, especially through the water element and animals. In the workshop “Exploring Your Power Animal,” the participants learned more about the Tikuna, and how for them, each of us has a power animal that represents us and guides us in life. Knowing our power animal allows us to understand our abilities, and for the Tikuna, it is a guide to determine what we are good at and what our purpose is in this world.
“GODS OF AMERICA”
The summit also featured the photographs of Antonio Briceño [pictured far left below his portrait, “Kalakshé. (Mama Romualdo Gil)”], who for more than 20 years has preserved the mythologies of native American groups through imagery. Capturing the rituals and stories of the “Gods of America“, he seeks to protect these ways of life from disappearing.
Reigniting Rituals Through the Arts, the Universal Language of Wellbeing
In an exciting collaboration with Community Arts Network (CAN), we are excited to launch a global initiative around the arts to create a unique and magical vision, along with local communities, around the concept of Ecological Belonging. Passionate and dynamic individuals in Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, India, Japan, the Philippines, and Senegal have taken on the role of Ritual Alchemist. Through the arts, they will delve into a local ritual or practice and engage the community in a journey to renew it for today.
The Ritual Alchemists have been chosen and are embarking on their journey of Ecological Belonging! Meet them on the Ecological Belonging Hub.
THE BASSARI
AT HEARTH SUMMIT Thiès
Both editions of the regional summit in Thiès welcomed members from the Bassari country, led by Black Keme (Antoine Indega Boubane) — an Ambassador of Bassari Culture and the 2024 Ritual Alchemist — who guided participants on an artistic, intellectual, and experiential journey exploring the Bassari’s coming-of-age traditions. Want to delve deeper into Bassari traditions and craftsmanship? Watch this introductory video to their nature-based coming-of-age practices (in English and French).
SOUTH INDIAN MYTHOLOGY
AT HEARTH SUMMIT BANGALORE
In Bangalore, Ritual Alchemist Poornima Sukumar allowed changemakers to practice making south Indian kolams: intricate, symmetrical designs drawn with rice flour or chalk powder, traditionally at the entrance of homes. They are a daily ritual in many households, symbolizing welcome, prosperity, and harmony. The practice dates back thousands of years, blending art, spirituality, and science. In mythology, kolams are said to please Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and ward off negative energies. The use of rice flour also reflects an offering to small creatures like ants, embodying the principle of coexistence. Over time, kolams have evolved into a cultural art form while retaining their deep-rooted spiritual significance.
VOICES OF ECOLOGICAL BELONGING
Hear Stories and Perspectives on Ecological Belonging From Around the World
TheMerode’s curated art exhibition, Shōkakkō, explored happiness in all its forms through works created by 54 artists from around the world placed throughout The Wellbeing Summit Brussels.
In collaboration with the 12th edition of Partcours, Tostan curated a special exhibit about wellbeing with Senegalese artists Fatim Soumaré and Omar Diouf (Yafane) called “Yoonu ci biir (The Inner Pathway)”.
The Omega Institute and Harlem Wellness Center worked with the Rubin Museum to bring the Mandala Lab to a regional Wellbeing Summit, inviting participants to explore their emotions.
At Tostan’s Training Centre, participants contemplated the “Art for Mental Health” exhibition, featuring creations from clients of the Moussa Diap psychiatric clinic’s groundbreaking art therapy programme.
EXPLORE THE RECONNECTION TO THE EARTH FURTHER
Dive Into Ecological Belonging Stories From Around the World
