We’ve been reflecting on the idea of zen (small “z”) (largely because we recently launched zen garden retreats). Our understanding of zen is that it is another interpretation of “The Way”, that is to say “how the universe works”, which relies on a description of the universe. There is also zen behaviour which refers to …
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Tag:big picture thinking
More equitable alternative
(Extract from Sharon Ní Chonchúir‘s article We ditched our desk jobs to spend more time in nature — here’s why in the Irish Examiner 6 September. Tom Butler of Ballin Temple, Nurney, Co Carlow: ‘I’ve paid a financial price, but I’m a nature guy.’ Picture: Michael O’Rourke Tom Butler from Ballin Temple in Carlow describes …
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Celebrating 25 Years of Positive Change
“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” Peter Drucker’s comment captures the need for system change that defines Astraea. When we stepped out of our old lives and into the unknown in 1999, we had a clear goal: To find balance between people, …
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Astraea nominated for Sustainable Initiatives at Carlow Chamber Business Awards
VISUAL Carlow was packed out for the County Carlow Chamber business awards last week. The brilliant MCs were KCLR’s Shannon Redmond and Eimear Ní Bhraonáin who helped us recognise and celebrate some incredible achievements. It was a joy to be part of it with Tom Butler, we’re very proud that astraea was up for the …
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Feast Upon The Earth Engages Everyone in Choosing Our Future
Summer Inspiration At DLR Lexicon, Dublin The inspirational timescape Feast Upon The Earth has moved from Tullow to Dun Laoghaire’s Lexicon Library for the rest of the summer. The launch talk in July was “very engaging,” said Susan Lynch, senior executive librarian at Lexicon, who welcomed the timescape. “I don’t usually see so much participation …
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DLR Lexicon Welcomes Feast Upon The Earth
Feast Upon The Earth is on the move! DLR Lexicon will host the timescape from 26 July to 31 August 2024. The timescape prompts new perspectives. It situates us in geographical time and shows connections between nature, humans, food, finance, fossil fuels, consumption, pollution and climate change. We see how we have impacted our world, …
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education
Learning is connecting the dots to see the big picture, a story told in a moment. The dots are ideas that answer the questions. The questions are what, how, when, why … The who is incidental.
Mary Robinson, Nature and Dandelions
“We are in a crisis!” Mary Robinson’s keynote message was the right way to open her Climate Conference – which she promptly re-named the “Climate and Nature Conference – don’t you agree?” The whole audience agreed enthusiastically. Tom turned to me. “Mary Robinson CAN!” he smiled. A fitting acronym for “climate and nature”! Shortly after, …
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Art as Activism at Tullow Community School
We were delighted and grateful for an invitation to meet with a class of 5th Year art students at Tullow Community School, and very impressed with the students’ engagement with the big ideas presented in Feast Upon The Earth. Our presence was part of a day celebrating the student’s exhibition of a project bringing new …
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Big Picture Thinking and Wellness
Deirdre Lane, CEO of Shamrock Spring and Ambassador of The Circular Economy Institute, chats with Tom at the inaugural Lisnavagh Wellness Festival. Astraea supported the inaugural Wellness Festival at Lisnavagh. Pam offered a yoga practice session to a packed Garden Wing – there must have been nearly 50 people in there with more looking in …
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