Events and Programmes
Events and Programmes
Events and Programmes Event Calendar
'When Quantum Physics Meets Daoism - Holistic thinking in caring for Planet Earth' 5-day Residential Transformative Workshop

1. Nature / Objectives

The purpose of this workshop is to develop a new way of thinking about ourselves and about nature, that will foster a more balanced and sustainable relationship between us humans and our environment.
We will explore the convergence of various strands.
  • Quantum physics: Science has led us on a long circuitous journey, first moving away from the sense of an animated world towards a purely materialistic view of reality, then through quantum physics, reclaiming the inseparability of mind and matter and the essential unity of the universe.
  • Daoism: Ancient traditions, such as Daoism, can inspire us on this journey, and we will discover surprising parallels between their teachings and modern scientific insights.
  • Mother Nature: Finally and most importantly, we will be guided by Mother Nature herself in embodied ecological experiences in the beautiful environment of the Green Hub and Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG).

Lecturer: Shantena Augusto Sabbadini

Shantena Augusto Sabbadini worked as a theoretical physicist at the University of Milan and the University of California. In Milan he researched the foundations of quantum physics, focusing on the description of the quantum process of observation, a problem that fascinates him to this day. In California he contributed to the first identification of a black hole.

In the 1990's he was a scientific consultant for the Eranos Foundation, an East-West research centre founded under the guidance of C.G. Jung in the 1930's. In that context he studied Chinese classics under the guidance of the Dutch sinologist Rudolf Ritsema and produced various translations and commentaries, including the Yi Jing and the Dao De Jing.

Since 2002 he has been an associate director of the Pari Center for New Learning, an alternative educational institution in Tuscany, Italy. He teaches short courses at the Schumacher College, Devon, UK, and leads workshops on Daoism, quantum physics and the use of the Yi Jing as a tool for introspection. Shantena is also a farmer.
 
For more details, please visit Shantena's website: www.shantena.com
 
2. Content
This five-day residential workshop comprises the following contents:
 
  • Lectures and Q & A sessions with Shantena Sabbadini
    - From Primitive Cultures to Modern Science
    - Quantum Physics: A New Paradigm
    - Quantum Physics and Wholeness
    - The Primacy of Experiencing
    - Introduction to Holistic Science
    - The Nameless Dao
    - Daoist Wisdom for Our Times
    - The Future: Complexity, Gentle Action and Citizenship in the 21st Century
  • Group sharing and discussion
  • Film screening of ‘Animate Earth’ and discussion session
  • Night walk and music appreciation at KFBG
  • Experiential activities at KFBG
  • Experiencing and staying overnight at the Green Hub, Grade I listed historic building

The Workshop will be a combination of lectures and experiential activities in the beautiful environment of KFBG and the Green Hub, Tai Po. As part of the learning process, participants will be invited to participate in short, daily community-service activities such as gardening, food preparation, and washing up after meals.
 
3. Language
English
 
4. Target group / No. of Participants
- General public aged 18 years and above; a scientific background or understanding of Daoism are NOT required.
- Maximum 20 participants.
- Participants will be accepted for this workshop on a first-come-first-served basis.
 
5. Date / Time
23 - 27 October, 2015 (Friday - Tuesday)
  • Workshop starts at 10:00, 23 October at the Green Hub, Tai Po (Reception starts at 09:30.)
  • Workshop finishes at 16:00, 27 October
  • Otherwise the daily schedule is from 09:30 to 21:00
6. Venue
  • Green Hub, Tai Po (accommodation and lectures) and
  • Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (outdoor activities)
‘Green Hub’ is transformed from the Old Tai Po Police Station located in Hong Kong’s New Territories. It is a Grade I listed historic building that was built in 1899. In 2010, the HKSAR Government selected Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) to transform the heritage site into a ‘Green Hub for Sustainable Living’. Apart from demonstrating an integrated approach to conserve the historic, architectural, ecological and cultural aspects of the heritage site, the Green Hub is equipped with heritage display, theme-gardens and a teaching kitchen for various programmes.
 
7. Fee
HK$3,000.00 per person + accommodation fee (depends on the room type; breakfast is included) 

Room Type

Single Room

Twin-bed Room

Triple-bed Room

Six-bed Room

Price/ per person for 4 nights

HK$1,600

HK$1,200

HK$1,040

HK$640
  • Note:
  1. ​HK$3,000.00 includes lecture fee, healthy vegetarian meals daily, workshop materials and shuttle bus service between KFBG and the Green Hub during the workshop.
  2. Multi-bed room will be organized to be same gender in the room.
  3. Most rooms have fans and only a couple of rooms have air-conditioners. You may indicate your preference in the application form. We will try to arrange your accommodation based on your preference (first-come-first-served).
 
8. Application 
Please complete your registration on or before 1 October, 2015. Details are as follows:
1) Please click here for the online registration.
2) Please post us your payment by cheque to:
    Ms Wang, Education Department,
    Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden,
    Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong
 
Cheque should be payable to Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden Corporation and please write:
  a. The name of the participant; and 
  b. 'When Quantum Physics Meets Daoism' on the back of your cheque.
3) After we receive your online application and payment by cheque, a confirmation email will be sent to you.
4) Payment is not refundable after acceptance.
 
9. Enquiry
For enquiries, please email education@kfbg.org 
 
10. Note 
Participants are expected to attend all five days of the workshop.