Ecological Belonging Around the Hearths

Remembering, Renewing, and ReweavingRemembering, 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 NATURERECONNECTING WITH NATURE

“Nature is the source of all true knowledge.”

Leonardo Da Vinci

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.

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.

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 EARTHENTERING 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
In México at the annual Wellbeing in Higher Education gathering, Papalii Dr. Tusi Avegalio, an Elder of the student-led Ecological Belonging fellowship, shares his wisdom and vision. He discusses the power of ancestral wisdom to meet contemporary challenges; how Pacific community values can guide innovation and entrepreneurship; and strategies to boost community wellbeing through education and research. Watch the session (in English).

INDIAN WISDOM AND CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP

SESSION AT HEARTH SUMMIT HIGHER ED
In México at the annual Wellbeing in Higher Education gathering, Nilima Bhat, distinguished professor in gender and conscious leadership studies, introduced changemakers us to the concept of Shakti Leadership: a powerful fusion of ancient Indian wisdom and emerging knowledge. Learn about the essence of Shakti Leadership, which balances feminine and masculine energies, and the practices that can strengthen your leadership. Watch the session (in English).

REWEAVING RITUALSREWEAVING 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 SIQUJOR HEALERS

AT HEARTH SUMMIT PHILIPPINES

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. In 2025, Hearth Summit Philippines will take place on the island, hosted in collaboration with the Siquijor Healers Association, as a way to connect Filipino changemakers with Indigenous ways of knowing and their overall impact on wellbeing. Learn more about the Siquijor healers and a Philippine take on wellbeing.

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.