
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
Tuesday, September 19th 2023
Virtual Session, 11:30am - 12:30pm ET / 5:00pm - 6:30pm CET
Join us for our upcoming Spiritual Civilization meeting, in partnership with Tianren Culture and the Garrison Institute, as we explore 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. We can cultivate resilience through:
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Building caring relationships that can provide us and others with support
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practicing compassion for self and others to bolster our emotional and mental well-being
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practicing gratitude to stay in touch with all that brings us well-being and joy
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understanding more deeply the reality of our interdependence, which increases our kindness, compassion and altruism.
This session will nurture 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 will be presented by Christa M. Tinari, Director of Contemplative-Based Resilience (CBR) from the Garrison Institute. Meditation practice will be led by Sharon Salzberg, co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, NY Times best-selling author and world-renowned teacher.
To Register, please contact Joanna Safarik at jsafarik@synergos.org.
Authentic Leadership Immersion: Inner Transformation for Outer Change
October 26th - October 29th
The Home, Spain
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 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 offers 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 programming will explore how authentic leadership can help us bridge divides and create regenerative and equitable futures in service of life.
For more information, please contact Joanna Safarik at jsafarik@synergos.org.
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 Virtual Community 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 Lunt Foundation and the Fetzer Institute.