In a recent Ecovillage Talk during the Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) course last month, we were honored to explore the essence of regeneration with Amena Anantishi Bal, trustee and president of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) and Earth Leader at Kai Farms in the Philippines. This conversation delved into the significance of The Inner Ecovillage, emphasizing the often-overlooked yet fundamental role of inner regeneration in cultivating regenerative communities. Hosted by Gaia Ashram and GENOA, this dialogue wove together reflections on personal well-being, community interdependence, and our relationship with the living Earth—highlighting the necessity of aligning our inner landscapes with the outer work of regeneration in response to today’s pressing polycrisis.
The Core of Regeneration
Amena shared a profound vision from Hildur Jackson, co-founder of the Global Ecovillage Network: “Matter itself is nothing more than a different external form of the mind. And mind and matter are both manifestations of spirit.” This insight reminds us that the world we build—our communities, our relationships, and even the land we steward—arises from our inner state. If our minds and hearts are fragmented, our external systems will mirror that disconnection. But when we nurture inner clarity, balance, and presence, we lay the groundwork for truly regenerative communities.
Regeneration, at its core, is not just about designing better systems but about fostering right relationship—with ourselves, with one another, and with the Earth. Amena emphasized that while practical structures and ecological solutions are important, they alone cannot sustain a thriving community. Without emotional resilience and inner work, even the most well-designed systems will eventually strain under the weight of unacknowledged tensions, burnout, and disconnection. In the face of today’s polycrisis, tending to our inner landscape is not a luxury but a necessity.
To truly regenerate, we must cultivate practices that deepen our presence, creativity, and interconnectedness. As Amena put it, “It’s not just about doing the work; it’s about how we show up to the work.” When we honor the Inner Ecovillage, inner dimensions of regeneration—through reflection, mindfulness, and shared rituals—we create communities that are not just resilient in structure but alive in spirit.
Learning from Nature: Embracing the Diversity through Clarity
Amena emphasized that cultivating inner awareness is key to finding clarity in our unique purpose. When we invest time in our inner regeneration—through reflection, mindfulness, and deep listening—we begin to understand our natural inclinations, strengths, and rhythms. Like trees in a forest, each of us carries unique traits and gifts, shaped by the environment in which we grow. The practice, then, is not to rush into action from a place of urgency, but to first empty ourselves—clearing away distractions, impatience, and self-doubt—so that we can tune into a deeper wisdom guiding our path.
Amena described how her own healing practices, whether through Reiki, meditation, or simply sitting with the land, help her align with this natural flow. “It’s not just me as a tree, but the whole forest, the web of life, that comes alive to guide me into what is smart action—where you do little, but the impact is a lot.” In this web of life, each of us has a role to play—not in a rigid, assigned way, but in an organic unfolding. Some of us may be like mycelium, connecting and nourishing the unseen threads of relationships. Others may be like deep-rooted trees, offering stability and strength. Some may be the ones tending the soil, creating fertile ground for new ideas and ways of being. Rather than forcing ourselves into predefined roles, the key is to recognize what energy we naturally carry and how we can contribute in a way that sustains both ourselves and the whole ecosystem.
In a world that often calls us to do more, Amena reminded us of the wisdom in stillness. She recalled the story of a leader, perhaps Gandhi, who was once asked how long he meditates each day. His response: “The busier I get, the more I meditate.” True regeneration does not come from overextension, but from learning when to act and when to retreat, when to offer and when to integrate. By honoring these cycles, we strengthen both ourselves and the communities we serve.
The Path: ALigning the inner ecovillage
An essential aspect of regeneration is recognizing that external actions are deeply intertwined with internal processes. Just as we seek to regenerate the land and society, we must also attend to our own inner landscapes. As Amena and Om expressed, this requires investing in our relationships with ourselves, cultivating self-awareness and inner peace through practices such as Tai Chi, yoga, Dances of Universal Peace, and meditation.
“When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.” — Lao Tzu
Om reflected on this Taoist teaching, contemplating how true action arises not from force but from being in harmony with the way. It is not about making things happen, but about aligning with the natural unfolding of life—where effort dissolves into flow, and action emerges as a seamless part of the whole. It is, as she described, “the doing that seems like sitting,” a paradox that invites us to cultivate a presence so attuned to the rhythm of life that transformation occurs effortlessly.
Amena, drawing from the Sikh tradition, shared the story of Guru Nanak, who embodied this principle in his daily life. Even as he worked the land, his heart remained devoted to the divine, his hands engaged in farming while his spirit was immersed in a deeper awareness. His life was a reminder that our greatest responsibility is not merely to act in the material world but to transmit love, light, and presence through all that we do. In this way, regeneration is not just about reshaping the world around us—it is about how we show up within it.
Ecovillages represent a new way of living in harmony with nature, a departure from the dominating, anthropocentric worldview that prioritizes human intervention over natural rhythms. This challenges us to unlearn deeply ingrained assumptions about progress and success and to embrace a way of being that does not rely on excessive effort or force but instead flows from deep presence, trust, and respect. By aligning our inner world with the outer work of regeneration, we engage not as separate actors but as integral parts of a living, breathing system—where healing happens not by will alone, but by surrendering to the wisdom of life itself.
Integrating Inner Regeneration into Our Projects: Practical Insights
How do we weave inner regeneration into our projects, especially when it may seem unfamiliar or even out of place at first? This question is essential, whether we are joining an existing initiative or starting something new. From our experience, the key lies in intentionally creating spaces where inner work is honored alongside external action—not as an obligation, but as an open invitation. Amena also reminded us that these practices are most effective when seamlessly woven into daily life, rather than being treated as separate activities.
A key takeaway was the importance of providing regular opportunities for individuals to nurture their inner selves. At Gaia Ashram, we integrate practices like Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation into our daily rhythm, allowing mindfulness to be a natural part of our shared experience.
One practical approach is to begin by setting aside specific times for collective practice, where the community comes together in simple yet meaningful rituals—silent mornings, food blessings before meals, or the weekly Dances of Universal Peace. Over time, these shared moments cultivate a culture where presence and mindfulness are not just encouraged but deeply embedded in how we live and work together.
It is also essential to respect the natural rhythms of life. Just as nature moves in cycles, each person in a project is navigating their own internal seasons—times of growth, stillness, renewal, and challenge. By encouraging regular check-ins where members can express their physical, emotional, and spiritual states, we create a space of mutual understanding of the Inner Ecovillages. In doing so, we ensure that no one carries their journey alone; instead, we move through our experiences together, with compassion and care.
Bringing reflective practices into our daily life helps us remain connected to the deeper purpose behind our collective work. These moments of pause and contemplation strengthen our alignment with the values we hold, allowing us to act not out of urgency, but from clarity, intention, and a profound sense of presence.
Moving Forward Together
As we reflect on this conversation, we are reminded that regeneration is not a destination but an ongoing journey—one that unfolds within us as much as around us. At Gaia Ashram, we hold this holistic perspective close to our hearts, recognizing that tending to our inner landscapes allows us to move in harmony with the greater web of life. When we cultivate presence, gratitude, and deep connection—with ourselves, each other, and the Earth—we step into the flow of regeneration not as a struggle, but as an expression of life itself.
This work is not ours alone. It is a shared path, one that grows stronger through dialogue, collaboration, and the weaving of diverse wisdoms. We invite you to walk with us—to learn, to exchange, and to co-create a world where regeneration is not just a concept, but a lived reality. If you feel called to deepen your engagement, join us for our upcoming programs, including the Ecovillage Lifestyle Experience Week (ELEW), Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC), Mindful Facilitation for Empowerment (Training of Trainers), and Deep Ecology courses, or simply reach out and connect.
Let us move forward with the knowing that regeneration begins within, ripples outward into our communities, and ultimately nurtures the Earth for generations to come.
“May all the work we do be of benefit to Mother Earth and all her beautiful beings.”
Asia Ecovillage Stories Series #5 – Amena Anantishi Bal from TI Ecovillage & Global Ecovillage Network Oceania and Asia
Written by Gaia Team
