We are a Foundation, a Community, a Centre of Light. It’s a complicated aim to define a way of being where the Self is included and loves living. Started by a group passionate for a new possible way of living and daring. En route, many left, finding their own ways of being in the world, following their paths. Others arrived and continue to arrive. Our current team consists of a group that believes in the dream of the Foundation to impact its region and our Planet through an environmentally friendly manner, being sustainable and creating conscious policies.
Alba Maria - Founder of the Terra Mirim Foundation, Shaman and Psychologist, graduated at UFBa over 25 years ago, writer, speaker and consultant in human and eco spiritual development with her main workfield being in Brazil and Europe; supportive and participant of the Solidarity Economy Networks, Dialogues on Humanity and Family Agriculture/Farming.
History:
The Terra Mirim Foundation began its activities 23 years ago based on the dream of our ShamAM Alba Maria, the original dreamer. Initially, the current Foundation was structured as a Center of Light, welcoming seekers from Brazil and the world who joined in search of a new expression of being on Earth.
Dedicated to self-knowledge through the study and experience of the Sacred Traditions, these searchers engined the community’s core, whom decided to turn Terra Mirim from a place to have temporary experiences into their permanent living address. The construction of the area was naturally given as its own members deepened in the process of the philosophy of shamanism, and thus came the seeds of spaces that would sprout to make up its landscape. Terra Mirim has a history written by many hands, which have left their marks either in its philosophy, energy and/or on the walls of this land.
Dedicated to self-knowledge through the study and experience of the Sacred Traditions, these searchers engined the community’s core, whom decided to turn Terra Mirim from a place to have temporary experiences into their permanent living address. The construction of the area was naturally given as its own members deepened in the process of the philosophy of shamanism, and thus came the seeds of spaces that would sprout to make up its landscape. Terra Mirim has a history written by many hands, which have left their marks either in its philosophy, energy and/or on the walls of this land.
Passed the process of physical and spiritual on site establishment, Terra Mirim community felt prepared to contribute to the social, environmental and cultural development of their region. Aiming for a deep rescue of values, it started by using the original name of their local river, Itamboatá.
The community members began to expand the philosophy of integrative ecology and, little by little, earning the respect of the population and local authorities. The approach was mindful, starting with the work of the Ecological School, and going through a vigorous cultural and social mapping of the region, identifying potential and cultural peculiarities of the area which had historically being left out by the responsible authorities. Several projects were brought to the fore, with the ongoing focus on the areas of Education, Culture and Environment.
The community members began to expand the philosophy of integrative ecology and, little by little, earning the respect of the population and local authorities. The approach was mindful, starting with the work of the Ecological School, and going through a vigorous cultural and social mapping of the region, identifying potential and cultural peculiarities of the area which had historically being left out by the responsible authorities. Several projects were brought to the fore, with the ongoing focus on the areas of Education, Culture and Environment.
Currently, Terra Mirim Foundation relies on a mainly female team that seeks to always continue with their daily shamanic practices and the reverence to the Great Mother as their north, whilst always considering the importance of political practice and dialogue with other groups / institutions / sources of knowledge to strengthen the formation of a more dignified reality. The work of empowering the people of the neighboring region, as well as their own search for self-knowledge, are continuous and uninterrupted.
General Information:
Terra Mirim Foundation & Shamanic Community is a 23-year-old, intentional movement. Located in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador, the capital of Bahia, in the north-eastern part of Brazil. Terra Mirim as an ever-evolving communitarian movement works to transform the reality of the territory where it is located, thus also being a place of planetary healing in action. It is based upon the ancient Shamanic tradition of the people of the Earth, and through its experience has developed a methodology known as Integrative Ecology, in which a conscious unity between humanity and the planet is recognised as a fundamental principle to be lived towards a healthy humanity and planet.
In Integrative Ecology people learn to re-integrate nature inside and outside through deep contact and relation with the four sacred elements (earth, water, fire, air) to the four dimensions of being: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. In fact, according to the Tradition of the Great Mother the healing of the planet is interdependent with the healing of the human being. The work in the external territory starts with the work over oneself and, beyond theory, Terra Mirim’s socio-environmental methodology brings value to action and to the ever growing learning spiral which comes as a result of being its own actions.
In Integrative Ecology people learn to re-integrate nature inside and outside through deep contact and relation with the four sacred elements (earth, water, fire, air) to the four dimensions of being: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. In fact, according to the Tradition of the Great Mother the healing of the planet is interdependent with the healing of the human being. The work in the external territory starts with the work over oneself and, beyond theory, Terra Mirim’s socio-environmental methodology brings value to action and to the ever growing learning spiral which comes as a result of being its own actions.
Over the last two decades, Terra Mirim has developed a diverse range of social and environmental services and programs (see examples below) aimed to stimulate human emancipation, care for the Earth whilst empowering the people from the surrounding Valley, and before all, remaining a Shamanic Centre of Light and School for numerous seekers who tirelessly arrive from several lands across the world, searching for and finding here a meaningful and conscious living experience of deep reverence to our Mother Earth, maturing with the guidance of ShamAM Alba Maria through a profound dive into themselves, dreams, shadows and higher purpose - offering our lives to the service of Nature. In Terra Mirim everyday a precious lesson is offered to be learned and honored - It is where an invisible thread is weaved from the stars to our innermost sacred core.
Actions:
Here are only some of the Projects and activities developed by the Environmental area of Terra Mirim:
Pure Water Project I and II funded by FNMA (2000/2009)
Community Environmental Law Project funded by EMS / BA
Integrative Ecology Project funded by EMS / BA
Collective project Youths and school gardens funded by ETERNIT
Forming Travel Guides in the Atlantic Forest funded by ETERNIT
Restoration course of degraded areas funded by the Public Ministry
Ecosolidary Incubator funded project FAPESB / SETRE / EMS
Ecosolidary Incubator funded project FAPESB / SETRE / EMS
Over 5,000 trees planted in the area.
Ongoing Meliponiculture/Beekeeping project in the Valley of Itamboatá -
protecting endangered bees and forming beekeepers.
protecting endangered bees and forming beekeepers.
Education
Vision
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Children, adolescents, their families, and educators from surrounding communities to the headquarters of the Ecological School, those living in situations of extreme social and economic vulnerability whose lives are spent in a town of few opportunities, activities are carried out to develop their natural and new talents - giving hope to those whose destinies seem to be already traced.
The Ecological School of Terra Mirim developed supplementary education activities for 50 children and adolescents from around the TMF headquarters. In the Brincarte project, through the Learning program with nature, 400 children and adolescents were reached from Municipal Schools in Simões Filho, especially the Itamboatá Valley, from state schools in Camacari and Salvador. They were organized into groups,each accompanied by external educators (schools) who also participated in the activities. The meetings realized and developed the main axes on which holds the foundation for a healthy childhood culture and integrative ecology.
The young ones (05 to 17 years old) experience community living, learning from/in Nature - caring for their bodies and the body of Mother Earth, creative dynamics with playfulness, imagination and inventiveness, body movement as self expression, football, yoga and breathing exercises and development of their linguistic and cultural knowledge.
More Info: journeyshamans@gmail.com
Links:
Terra Mirim Brazil
Events in Terra Mirim (Portuguese)
Terra Mirim Italia
Terra Mirim Deutschland
More Pictures: Terra Mirim's Flickr
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