retreat

The chance to focus on the things that really matter...

There is an 80/20 rule. It goes like this: 80 percent of what you do is mostly just noise, 20 percent is the real quality of life. How do you tap into that 20 percent?

Part of the inspiration for the Eemlandhoeve comes from the mediaeval Christian monastic traditions. A monastery was a spiritual oasis where care for land, products, people, heart and soul came together. Monasteries offered people the space needed to discover the relationship between Creator and creation. The Eemlandhoeve aspires to create that space as well.

Another inspiration for the Eemlandhoeve is Dag Hammarskjöld (see the book Cityside Oasis). He wrote:

Now.
When I have overcome my fears - of others, of myself, of the underlying darkness:
at the frontier of the unheard-of.
Here ends the known. But, from a source beyond it, something fills my being with its possibilities.
Here desire is purified and made lucid: each action is a preparation for, each choice an assent to the unknown.

...

(Dag Hammarskjöld, Markings)

It's about coming into contact with yourself (and the ´underlying darkness'), and with the questions of the 'other side' in order to create inner peace and external openness; a process that can be shared together.

The three key-words of the Eemlandhoeve; passion, vision and courage; were once put into three multi-faceted sayings by Farmer Jan:

Dare to suffer in order to discover your passion.
Dream your dreams to hold on to your vision.
Have the courage to go through it, not around it.

Gatherings, retreats and festivities are held at the Eemlandhoeve from within the deepening perspective of this 'meeting' between Creator and creation.

Examples:

Lecture for Stoutenburg community near Leusden: J. Huijgen: Passion, Vision and Courage in Agri-culture
Congregation Day NG Church, Amersfoort: Care for Creation
Various church congregations (protestant, catholic, evangelical) hold day-retreats on the farm
Christian Ecological Network study-day
Creation Spirituality: Giving Form to the Spirituality of the Land
Oasis Retreat
Study-day Micha campaign

Want to learn more about the spiritual side of the Eemlandhoeve? Please feel free to contact us:

Contact
Johan ter Beek, Jan Huijgen, Arthur and Henriette Brilman
Email: inspiratie@eemlandhoeve.nl