On a rainy evening not long ago, I found myself quietly sitting in my apartment, finishing up dinner and flipping through the pages of How Yoga Works. The wind had been howling for minutes before the skies finally opened up. As I washed my dishes and listened to the steady rhythm of the rain, I felt a deep, almost visceral calm settle in. My body was a bit under the weather—runny nose, sore throat, probably from gulping down icy water right after a hot training session—but my spirit was unexpectedly light.
Despite the mild discomfort in my throat and the ache in my bones, I felt a strong sense of peace and gratitude. I looked around my apartment, cozy and warm, and realized how fortunate I was to have a home—shelter from the storm, a place to rest and recover, food in the kitchen, and a heart full of wonder. In that quiet moment, I thought of all those who may not have such comforts. The rain became a teacher—reminding me of the fragility and beauty of this life we’re so privileged to live.
That moment of reflection also brought me back to a beautiful gathering I had attended the week before—a pizza party, yes, but more meaningfully, a launch event hosted by my friend Sam, the founder of Education for Good. He was celebrating the beginning of a new season for two summer programs: “Embodying Earth” and “Doing Good”, initiatives that are rooted in purpose, community, and healing—both inner and ecological.
What is “Embodying Earth”?
Held in Vietnam and organized by Education for Good, Embodying Earth is more than a camp. It’s a space of inquiry, an invitation for young changemakers to explore the question:
What lies at the root of the climate crisis—and how might I be of service?
Set against Vietnam’s rich natural and cultural backdrop, this immersive 2-week experience invites participants aged 18–26 from around the world to pause, reconnect with the land, and reimagine their role in a rapidly changing world. It’s about rooting into the wisdom of the Earth—through regenerative leadership, spiritual ecology, and deep presence.
Unlike typical climate education, which often focuses heavily on policies, carbon counts, and urgency, Embodying Earth takes a different approach. It’s intimate. Reflective. It dares to suggest that healing the planet begins with healing ourselves.
Through guided nature immersions, group reflections, creative expression, and ancient practices such as forest bathing and ritual, participants experience not only the knowledge of ecology—but the embodiment of it. They ask bold, tender questions:
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What does it mean to live in reciprocity with the Earth?
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How do I hold grief for a world in crisis?
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What are the regenerative stories that can guide my work?
These are the seeds of a new kind of leadership. A leadership rooted in humility, care, and interbeing.
Doing Good: Returning with Purpose
The second offering this summer is the Doing Good program, designed for returners—alumni and participants who have already embarked on their journey and are looking to deepen their purpose. In its second year, the course explores how one might respond to a hurting world with presence and purpose.
Many of us who work in sustainability or social impact spaces understand burnout and despair. The work is urgent—but often lonely. Doing Good invites participants to come back to themselves, to community, and to the wisdom of the land.
It’s incredibly powerful that people from all walks of life come together to ask: “How can I serve?” Especially in Vietnam—a country full of complex history, rich biodiversity, and a vibrant young population eager to create change.
The Power of Interbeing
A core philosophy behind these programs is the concept of interbeing, popularized by the Vietnamese Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh. Interbeing recognizes that everything is interconnected. That we are not separate from nature, but part of her intricate dance.
This resonates deeply with my own journey. The more I meditate, move, and listen, the more I realize that I am the rain, the soil, the cough in my throat, the home I sit in. To embody the Earth is not only to care for her through actions—but to live in ways that reflect that we are her children.
Why Programs Like These Matter
There’s an emotional and spiritual side to climate action that’s often overlooked. We talk about net zero, emissions targets, and green finance—but what about grief, awe, and wonder? What about resilience that comes not from performance, but from belonging?
Programs like Embodying Earth fill that gap. They create containers where young leaders can:
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Learn from indigenous wisdom and ecological traditions
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Practice mindfulness and somatic grounding
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Build cross-cultural connections
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Unlearn burnout culture and embrace regeneration
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Reconnect with their own intuition and purpose
For many, these two weeks are life-changing—not just because of the knowledge gained, but because of the way of being that is rediscovered.
My Personal Takeaway
That night as the rain fell and my body ached a little, I thought about Sam’s work and felt deeply inspired. I remembered sitting around that table at the launch, talking with old friends and new ones. People who believe in something greater. People who are willing to ask hard questions and sit with the discomfort of not knowing.
And I thought—I want to create something like that too.
I want to contribute to this movement of grounded, heart-centered change. Not just through words or strategies, but through spaces. Spaces that invite people to slow down, listen, and come home—to themselves, to nature, and to each other.
Maybe it will be a retreat. Maybe a course. Maybe a quiet evening circle under the stars. But I know now that the most meaningful impact begins with presence. Just like that quiet moment with the rain. Just like that deep inhale before answering the world’s call.