Bridging From Dream to Reality: Lessons from Project Awe, Northern Vietnam
The journey of transforming an ecovillage dream into reality is one on which many of us embark, but often with uncertainty about where to begin or how to move forward. At Gaia Ashram, we’ve not only explored the concept of sustainable community building but have actively lived it over the years. This blog post is a reflection on how we bridge the gap between dreams and tangible outcomes, inspired by a recent conversation with Thao Kin from Project Awe and our shared experiences.
Listening to the Inner Calling
A common thread in our stories is the idea of a deep inner calling—an intuitive sense of purpose that drives our work in creating ecovillages. This calling doesn’t just appear overnight; it grows from moments of stillness and deep reflection. Kin shared that it wasn’t until she made space in her life to reflect and listen to her own heart that she truly recognized her desire to pursue the path of community and ecological regeneration.
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to be consumed by projects, deadlines, and to-do lists. However, to truly follow a calling, you need to make room for it to emerge. For Kin, it took a dedicated five weeks during her Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) Course at Gaia Ashram in 2016 to disconnect from her busy life and reconnect with herself. It was this space that allowed her to hear her own voice and determine what truly made her happy and fulfilled.
For me, that inner calling manifested in a deep sense of gratitude. I became aware of how much life had given me—the people, the earth, and all that made every moment possible. It wasn’t enough to simply feel thankful; I felt compelled to give back to the land and my community. It was from this place of gratitude and honor that the Gaia Ashram project was born.
Small Beginnings, Big Impact
One of the key lessons that Kin and I have learned over the years is the importance of starting small. It’s easy to get lost in the dream and feel overwhelmed by its scale, but starting small allows you to grow organically. In the early days of Gaia Ashram, we didn’t wait for perfect conditions or a large group of supporters. Instead, we began with the resources and energy we had.
Kin emphasized this point, saying, “Start somewhere. Small and slow.” Her experience with gardening was a perfect metaphor for this principle. The land they chose for Project Awe was depleted and lifeless after years of monoculture farming, making it difficult for anything to grow initially. Despite their impatience for results, the team learned to respect the natural rhythm of the land, realizing that true growth takes time. This patient, small-scale approach has allowed life to slowly return to the soil, creating a thriving environment over time.
At Gaia Ashram, we too have practiced this principle in every aspect of our development—from building our infrastructure to fostering community relationships. Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small; it’s about focusing on what’s manageable, learning from each step, and trusting that the dream will grow in its own time.
Building a Bridge Between Vision and Action
Bringing dreams to life requires more than just an inner calling and small steps; it demands action rooted in mindful planning and conscious effort. One of the challenges we’ve encountered, which Kin also reflected on, is the tendency to get stuck in the planning phase. It’s tempting to keep studying, researching, and perfecting ideas before taking action. But as Kin reminded us, “The learning accelerates when we start to do.”
In both ecovillages, Gaia Ashram and Project Awe, we’ve learned that while it’s important to research and reflect, real growth happens when we take that leap from theory to practice. Whether it’s planting the first tree, hosting the first workshop, or laying the foundation of a building, the act of doing brings invaluable lessons that you simply can’t gain from planning alone.
Over the years, we’ve learned to trust the process of experimentation, knowing that not everything will go perfectly but that each step brings us closer to our vision. We have found that taking action is not only a way to learn but also a way to invite others to join the journey. Once people see that something is happening, they are more likely to get involved, support, and contribute their own energy to the project.
Honoring the Land and People
For both Kin and myself, there’s a deep recognition of the sacred relationship between land and people. Kin spoke beautifully about how humbled she feels every day, being part of the web of life on the land they are regenerating. At Gaia Ashram, we share that same sense of humility and gratitude as we work with the land, learning from it rather than trying to control it.
This mindset of honoring the earth and recognizing our interconnectedness with nature has been central to our vision. By being patient and present with the land, we are not only regenerating ecosystems but also healing ourselves—reconnecting with a sense of belonging and purpose that modern life often obscures.
An Invitation to Dreamers
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our ecovillage journeys, it’s that anyone can turn their dreams into reality. It starts with listening to that inner calling, making space for reflection, and taking small steps toward your goal. The journey may be long and the challenges many, but with patience, perseverance, and a community to support you, even the wildest dreams can become a tangible reality.
At Gaia Ashram, we are passionate about sharing the tools, wisdom, and practices we’ve gathered over the years to help others start their own journey. If you feel called to create a community or deepen your connection to the earth, we invite you to join us in our upcoming Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) Course. For those who want to get a glimpse an ecovillage lifestyle, but don’t have enough time, you can also look into our 6-day Ecovillage Lifestyle Experience Week (ELEW) Course, stay at Gaia as a guest, or be a part of our minimum 2-week volunteer program. Together, we can learn, dream, and build a more sustainable future.
See more details of our 32-day Certified Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) Course:
https://gaiaschoolasia.com/ecovillage-design-education/
Link to 6-day Ecovillage Lifestyle Experience Week (ELEW) Course aka mini-EDE:
https://gaiaschoolasia.com/ecovillage-lifestyle-experience-week-2024/
And volunteering program: https://gaiaschoolasia.com/volunteering-thailand-gaia-ashram/
Asia Ecovillage Stories Series #2 – Project Awe, Northern Vietnam
Written by Sunisa Jamwiset Deiters and edited by Cait Charles
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