Community building is vital to a healthy and functioning society. The folks at Living Earth Oregon offer many workshops and resources that focus on building communities that are just, ecologically vibrant, and culturally rich where peace, justice, beauty, and balance can grow in our lives, our communities, and our world.
Living Earth Oregon started in 1998 as an idea articulated by vision holder and organization anchor Betsy Toll. For more than 30 years, Betsy has been exploring spiritual practice, conscious social action, and service. Through her experience Betsy has connected with several dharma teachers. Two of the most treasured teachers are Ram Dass and Joanna Macy. With encouragement from Ram Dass and Joanna, Betsy began leading dharma workshops and retreats in 2003. She volunteers as a hospital chaplain and offers programs in the Portland area and at Breitenbush Hot Springs.
Living Earth Oregon offers community gatherings, public events, workshops, presentations, celebrations, and retreats based on a deep way of understanding “what is,” this is a view that integrates wisdom of the world’s enduring spiritual traditions into the reality of our modern lives. Their programs encourage openhearted social action toward a just, peaceful, and sustainable world, and nurture a wide perspective on the personal, social, and global issues of our time.
Donations provide shared support for all of Living Earth’s programs. However, those who would like to support a specific program area such as: Dharma offerings, Living/Dying programs, Service/social action projects, Earth & Climate programs, or Peace, justice, and global solidarity.
If you’d like to get involved or learn more about Living Earth Oregon contact them here.
This week at Portland Radio Project we featured Living Earth Oregon as part of our award-winning Community Voices series. You can listen below to interviews with key members of the organization:
Betsy Toll, Founder & Director
Ron Beed, Brown Bag Volunteer & Long time Member
Jan Levi, Brown Bag Leader & Board Member
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Nice to hear you discuss Living Earth and it’s magnificent leader, Betsy Toll. This is a quiet, active, effective organization that has not gotten enough recognition. I go to Living Earth’s events on occasion and bask in the ‘heart and soul’ of everyone involved. Thank-you for spreading the word and helping to build community!
Thanks for airing these interviews; Living Earth does a lot of meaningful work in our community and its lovely to hear what they are doing.
I enjoyed all of the Living Earth interviews! Thank you for the spotlight on this gem of an organization!