FOR THE DREAMERS
January 2021

What is there to do on the island?

https://www.tourismbowenisland.com/destination/play/ https://www.tourismbowenisland.com/things-to-do-on-bowen-island-a-charming-island-off-the-coast-of-vancouver/

Where is Bowen Island and how do I get there?

Bowen Island is situated off the coast of Vancouver, accessed from Horseshoe Bay via a 20 minute ferry. If you’re selected for the program, we will be able to send you more information about travel options. Please see the BC ferries website for details

What is the daily schedule?

The daily schedule is subject to change to ensure participants have access to as many learning and growth opportunities as possible. The basic outline will be as follow:

How much free time will I have?

A week will comprise of the following hours which we expect participants to complete:

• 45mins - 1 hour of group yoga and meditation 3 times a week

Can I bring my phone?

You are welcome to bring your phone and any other technology you wish. However, during Week 1, there will be a digital detox in which we ask you to surrender all technology to the centre (it will be locked away and well cared for). The detox will last 5 days and we will ask you to remain in silence. The reason behind this detox is to calibrate your attention to yourself, rejuvenate and allow your hormonal system to rest. It has been shown that a few days of rejuvenation and contemplative rest can provide much needed regulation for anyone who is usually very busy.

Do I have to attend the whole thing?

We ask that only people who are able to attend the whole training apply to participate. This is due to the fact that the length facilitates a deep transformational process for individuals and as such, it would not be suitable to offer it in chunks. Weekends are free! And we will not have a program during statutory holidays.

I don’t have a spiritual practice (yoga, meditation, mindfulness etc), is this opportunity right for me?

Of course! Our main objective is for you to find a spiritual or contemplative path that works for you. However, we ask participants to take part in regular yoga/meditation/mindfulness practices and ceremonies at the centre so all we ask is that you are interested in developing a practice of your own - both individually and as a group. We practice yoga and meditation in a non sectarian way.

What are your expectations on participants in terms of end results/outcomes?

• We hope to support your project in whatever way that helps. We will provide you with business development tools, maps, skills, inspiration and mentoring (if needed). We are flexible enough to tailor the program to your needs.

What are the peer led days?

• The peer-led days are not full days, they are approximately 2-4 hours.

Why aren’t the yoga/meditation classes longer in the morning?

• Our yoga and meditation sessions will last approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

How will it work with food if we’re all buying our own?

• Each person will receive space for their food - cupboards, a pantry shelf, fridge and freezer.

What if I have allergies or an intolerance?

There is a shared kitchen (and kitchenettes in the Blue and Green rooms). We will make everyone aware of any intolerances and allergies amongst the group. We ask each participant to be mindful of the risks associated with individual needs. However, due to the shared nature of the centre, we are unable to guarantee a completely risk-free environment.

Do I have to share a room?

• The rooms in the main centre are dorm-style, with a maximum of 2 beds per room. There are two bathrooms which will be shared between a maximum of 7 people. There is also an extra washroom on the lower level.

What should I bring?

• Bring everything you will need for 3 months - books, technology, suitable clothes, walking boots, toiletries etc. We provide sheets, bedding and towels.

Will I have to stay at the centre for the whole time?

• You are not confined to the centre. We ask that you are present for all group learning sessions, collective practice and complete centre maintenance duties at the very least.

How are you managing Covid?

We are following the BC guidelines very closely. We have an extensive Covid risk assessment and policy. We can send this on request should you wish to see it. A summary of the plan and our approach can be found on our website: https://www.newearthinstitute.com/covid-policy.

Is the program actually free?

• We are able to offer you leadership training and mentorship worth in excess of $15,000+ for the cost of your accommodation. We are grateful for our supporters and donors.

I don’t have a lot of money, how do the scholarships work?

To find out more about our scholarship, please email info@newearthinstitute.com for more information.

Who will be teaching?

We have an incredibly diverse team of facilitators for this program. The main teacher will be Dr. Shahar Rabi. You can read about his experience on his personal website or on the program website. We're excited to have Chela Davison who is an extremely talented integral coach to not only facilitate intensive training days, but also give us free access to some of her online training. In addition, we have a diversity of local and national leaders in their field who will join us via zoom and in person every Thursday (Covid allowing). Some names include Dr. Sean Park, Tina Overbury, Christina Atkinson, Lieven Callewaert, Dr. Ellen Hayakawa, Ellen Goldberg, Shelley Cohl , Saskia Tait, Josh Colmen Judith Heezen and others. We will provide additional information in the weeks to come.

Please check out "teacher" page for more information

Are you expecting participants to contribute to learning sessions?

As this is a leadership program, we hope that you will be able to facilitate some aspect of the program. If participants have gifts, skills or knowledge to contribute towards their peers’ learning during the peer-led sessions then great! We want to create an environment that encourages peer-to-peer sharing and support.

Would I be able to use the “up to 500 hours” of course learning as a credit towards graduate study?

• We will offer you a New Earth Institute certificate on completion of the program.

What should I bring?

• Bring everything you will need for 3 months - books, technology, suitable clothes, walking boots, toiletries etc. We provide sheets, bedding and towels.

What about scholarships?

The scholarship system is dependent on the amount of funding we're able to generate through other bookings. Obviously, we would love to offer full scholarships to everyone who needs them but this may not be possible. At the first interview, make it known that you are seeking the scholarship. The panel will then be able to make a decision as to whether you and your project would be put forward for consideration at the second interview stage. Here, there will be the possibility to speak to Shahar in more detail about scholarship options. We envision the people who access the program through scholarship will be able to bring an idea or element of depth to assist in the development of the New Earth Institute's vision and next steps as an organization.