Spiritual Civilization
Collaborative Community

Awe and Nature Contemplation - Asia-Pacific Rim

Virtual Session, September 10, 2024 19:30- 21:00 PT (08:00 – 9:30 IT, 10:30-12:00 HKT) 

Culture and in collaboration with Dr. Dacher Keltner, Co-Director of the Greater Good Science Center based at the University of California Berkeley. Together we will examine the latest science on the benefits for the mind and body in finding experiences of awe in nature focused contemplation.  

In this session, Professor Keltner will share the deep Indigenous origins of nature focused contemplation, and how important this wisdom is for our times today to meet the climate and health crises. He will detail the latest approaches in building more awe and nature focused contemplation in cities, schools, hospitals, and public spaces and will guide us in several awe and nature focused contemplations.  

Join us to harness the power of Dr. Keltner’s work to nurture your inner wellness and create a positive shift in your philanthropic and social impact work. 

Registration requires being logged in.

Awe and Nature Contemplation

Virtual Session, September 25, 17:00- 18:30 CET (11:00 – 12:30 ET) 

Culture and in collaboration with Dr. Dacher Keltner, Co-Director of the Greater Good Science Center based at the University of California Berkeley. Together we will examine the latest science on the benefits for the mind and body in finding experiences of awe in nature focused contemplation.  

In this session, Professor Keltner will share the deep Indigenous origins of nature focused contemplation, and how important this wisdom is for our times today to meet the climate and health crises. He will detail the latest approaches in building more awe and nature focused contemplation in cities, schools, hospitals, and public spaces and will guide us in several awe and nature focused contemplations.  

Join us to harness the power of Dr. Keltner’s work to nurture your inner wellness and create a positive shift in your philanthropic and social impact work. 

Registration requires being logged in.

Inner Transformation for Outer Change Retreat in India
The Tamara Coorg, Karnataka, September 19-22
This is an invitation to take an intentional pause that can create conditions for our inner clarity to arise and guide us to show up to our commitments more thoughtfully and purposefully while we navigate the current world. We welcome rising leaders devoting their resources and talents to create meaningful change in the world. Our program will delve into authentic leadership practices that can bridge divides and foster regenerative, equitable futures.
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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 discussed how they are bringing inner work to outer action and the impact this creates for change. We learned from each other, identified areas of collaboration, and nurtured our personal journeys through group practices. Read meeting report

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 was an experience 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 explored how authentic leadership can help us bridge divides and create regenerative and equitable futures. Read meeting report

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. Read meeting report

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. Read meeting report

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. Read meeting report

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. Read meeting report

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.” Read meeting report

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 meeting report.

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 meeting report

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 meeting report 

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 meeting report

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 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 meeting report

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 meeting report​

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 meeting report

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. Read meeting report

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. Read meeting report

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.

View meeting report

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.

View meeting report.