Spiritual Civilization
Collaborative Community
Spiritual Civilization
Collaborative Community
ABOUT
The Spiritual Civilization collaborative community explores the intersection of philanthropy, contemplative practices, self-reflection and spirituality. In brave spaces, leaders in philanthropy discuss how they are bringing inner work to outer action and the impact this creates for change.
Activities online and in-person are designed to promote the sharing of projects and learnings, explore and support collaborations, and provide a space for members to engage in contemplative and reflective practices.
Events and Programs
Authentic Leadership Retreat for Rising Leaders
New York, April 11-14, 2024
Taking an intentional pause from our routine allows us to create the conditions for our inner clarity to arise and guide us to show up to our commitments more thoughtfully and purposefully. This is an invitation for rising leaders who are devoting their resources and talents to creating meaningful change in the world; and who understand the importance of wielding power and influence responsibly and with integrity. We will explore how authentic leadership can help us bridge divides and create regenerative and equitable futures.
For more information about this event, please contact Melissa Durda, mdurda@synergos.org
To get first notice of open registration, please register your interest HERE.
Spiritual Civilization Gathering
Tarrytown, New York, May 9, 2024
The Spiritual Civilization collaborative community explores the intersection of philanthropy, contemplative practices, self-reflection and spirituality. Participants discuss how they are bringing inner work to outer action and the impact this creates for change. We will learn from each other, identify areas of collaboration, and nurture our personal journeys through group practices.
For more information about this event, please contact Melissa Durda, mdurda@synergos.org
To get first notice of open registration, please register your interest HERE.
Cultivation of Wellbeing
Virtual Session, February 29, 11:00 - 12:30 ET, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM CET
In partnership with Tianren Culture and in collaboration with the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and Healthy Minds Innovations we explored their scientific framework for the cultivation of well-being, which focuses on awareness, connection, insight, and purpose as the four core dimensions of well-being.
Inner Transformation for Outer Change: Retreat in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, Thailand, January 12-14, 2024
Peggy Dulany and leading philanthropists came together for this special gathering, hosted by Synergos network members, Mark Chen and Yangjin Lamu, at their meditation and retreat center in Chiang Mai. This immersion offered an opportunity to engage deeply with oneself - body, mind, and spirit - connect and build trusting relationships with others and discover insights and collaborative opportunities to amplify our missions.
Wednesday December 6, 11:00AM ET/ 17:00 CET
Virtual Session, 11:00am - 12:30pm ET / 5:00pm - 6:30pm CET
Breathing is one of the most natural and vital actions we perform every minute of every day. With just a little effort, we can transform this simple action into a contemplative practice for inner cultivation. The effectiveness of breathwork has been proven by several scientific investigations, including a study conducted by researchers at Stanford School of Medicine, published earlier this year. In this session, we heard from Professor David Spiegel and learned about the physiological mechanics of breathing, were introduced to various breathing protocols, to understand the benefits to our body and mind, as supported by science. We also participated in an inspiring contemplative breathwork session led by experienced breathwork teacher, Vivian Rosenthal. Dr. Spiegel and Vivian will also lead us through a discussion on how breathwork can be applied in our daily lives and social work.
Wednesday October 26th, 11:00AM ET/ 17:00 CET
Virtual Session, 11:00am - 12:30pm ET / 5:00pm - 6:30pm CET
The meeting was convened in collaboration with The 4th Sector Group and Tiime and explored the intersection of Consciousness, Philanthropy, Impact Capital and Economic Systems. The session aimed to address how the interlocking crises of climate, biodiversity, governance, inequality and social fragmentation threatens global stability by explaining how many of today’s challenges are consequences of outmoded economic systems that have prioritized financial performance at the expense of the wellbeing of people and the future of our planet and the importance of inner work and consciousness to creating meaningful, lasting change.
Synergos Gathering in Europe: Spiritual Civilization Meeting, October 29th to November 1st, 2023
Finca Bell-Lloc, Catalonia, Spain
The three-day gathering took place in beautiful Spain at the Finca Bell-Lloc, a state north of Barcelona, owned and operated by one of Synergos’ GPC member families. The stunning rural backdrop of the hacienda was the ideal setting for reflective dialogues, somatic exercises, meditation, and other experiential practices. The meeting was filled with holistic, reflective, artistic and experiential activities, as well as space for inner work, connection, and co-creation. The group engaged in provocative presentations broke bread together, and took part in a reflective nature walk, and co-created a collective poem: “Radical Love.”
Authentic Leadership Immersion: Inner Transformation for Outer Change
October 26th - October 29th, The Home, Spain
This experience convened leaders devoting their resources and talents to create meaningful change in the world; and who understand the importance of wielding power and influence responsibly and with integrity. This immersion offered an opportunity to engage deeply with yourself (body, mind, and spirit), connect and build trusting relationships with others and discover collaborative opportunities to amplify our missions. Our program explored how authentic leadership can help us bridge divides and create regenerative and equitable futures in service of life. Read the full report here.
Tuesday, September 19th 2023
Virtual Session, 11:00am - 12:30pm ET / 5:00pm - 6:30pm CET
In partnership with Tianren Culture and the Garrison Institute, we explored pro-sociality and its connection to resilience. Resilience is often understood as the ability to "bounce back” from challenging situations. Resilience is not one inner trait that we draw on as needed, but rather the result of a whole host of prosocial values, intentional practices and social supports.
This session nurtured our inner resilience using contemplative practices to create a transferable energy to positively impact our work and society as a whole. Research on the topic was presented by Christa M. Tinari, Director of Contemplative-Based Resilience (CBR) from the Garrison Institute. Meditation practice was led by Sharon Salzberg, co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, NY Times best-selling author and world-renowned teacher. Read the full meeting report HERE.
Becoming a Heart-Centered Leader, June 14, 2023 - June 17, 2023
Big Bear Retreat Center, Southern California, CA, USA
This gathering is for leading philanthropists and members of the Spiritual Civilization Collaborative Community. Participants will step outside of their daily routine and environment, providing space to clarify and sharpen individual life purpose. This event is designed to enable participants to approach their lives and social engagement in the world with greater joy and clarity. Participants will learn how to apply the Synergos Bridging Leadership approach, opening a space to become more self-aware, develop and enhance the capacity to think systemically, and facilitate and take part in inclusive partnerships. Read the full meeting report here.
Synergos Global Gathering: Spiritual Civilization Meeting, May 22 2023
Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, Tarrytown, New York
This gathering brought together philanthropic leaders who are active and interested in what can be done to increase consciousness in society, the ideals that drive members of society to help each other and work towards the greater good. We will be examining themes like love and our interconnectedness. Read the full meeting report here.
Virtual Session: March 2023
Members came together and were guided through meditation by Mark Chen in a session that combined eyesight, hearing, and breathing. Attendants reflected on the practice and shared updates about their work and journey. Read the full meeting report here.
Virtual Session: 6 December 2022
Members were guided through a sound healing experience led by Laura Inserra, a sound alchemist. Members then reflected on the past year and shared what has been impactful for them. This was followed by updates from community members Charlie Hartwell and Marlene Ogawa. Read the full meeting report here.
Synergos Europe Gathering
Finca Bell-Lloc, Spain, October 23-25
Members of the Global Philanthropists Circle & the Spiritual Civilization Collaborative Community came together in Spain at the Finca Bell-lloc, owned and operated by Synergos’ GPC member Victoria Engelhorn and her family. The stunning rural backdrop of the hacienda was the ideal setting for reflective dialogues, meta music meditation immersion, and other experiential practices. Members connected to their peers and to nature and took part in thought-provoking presentations with guest speakers at the event. The program included holistic, reflective, and experiential activities, as well as space for inner work, connection, and co-creation. Read the full report here.
Spiritual Civilization Meeting
Virtual Session: October 11
Members were guided through a visualization exercise tapping into “awareness, congruency and service.” This was followed by member sharing and updates by Peggy Dulany and Jeff Walker. Read the full meeting report here.
Synergos Spiritual Civilization Gathering
Mexico City, Mexico, September 12
This evening gathering and dinner convened 25 philanthropists and social entrepreneurs interested to explore Spiritual Civilization – how leaders are bringing inner work to outer action and the impact this creates for change.
Spirituality & Science Forum IV: Human Flourishing
October 2021 - June 2022
In partnership with Krueger & Lee and Fetzer Institute
The latest installment of the Spirituality & Science Forum, Forum IV: “Human Flourishing”, was a hybrid event that combined seven online sessions and virtual practice meetings, spanning over nine months, and a closing 3-day in-person gathering in Thal, Switzerland.
Spiritual Civilization Meeting
Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, Tarrytown, May 12 2022
This meeting convened 52 Global Philanthropists Circle members interested in diving deeper into exploring Spiritual Civilization – what can be done to increase consciousness of the ideals that drive members of society to help each other and work towards the greater good.
Spiritual Civilization Community Gathering
Virtual Session: 24 March 2022
A meeting for members to reconnect as a community and deepen relationships along with exploring opportunities for collaboration and nurturing personal journeys through a group practice. The group practice was led by Spiritual Civilization Community members Pascale Deau and Corey Cleland, both leaders of Wild Vessel, an academy for nature-centered human development.
DIGITAL OFFERINGS
The Synergos Cultivate the Soul podcast series, Wisdom Square on Instagram and One Minute Wisdom video series examine the intersection of philanthropy, contemplative practices, self-reflection and spirituality.
These projects are made possible through the support of grants from the Fetzer Institute and Tianren Culture.