By Karine Harkema
A toddler falling asleep on the harpist’s lap, children completely absorbed in magic drawing, lively workshops, heartwarming encounters, beautiful music, tasty snacks, and the positive vibe of over 100 visitors. The Lotus Anniversary Festival on October 25, 2025 offered inspiration for all, in a family atmosphere.
Change is needed in the world. How can we connect and take action together? The festival translated this question into various inspirational sessions and workshops for children and adults. The focus was on growth in awareness and education for the future.
Lotus Training, the Dutch Neohumanist training centre affiliated with Zonnelicht daycare, illustrated what it stands for with various activities: working towards a beautiful world for everyone with growth in awareness and the development of children as a starting point and a sense of togetherness.
This was followed by a workshop on the six levels of consciousness. In the education of the future, educators and teachers will guide children through all levels of consciousness, so that they can contribute to society from within and experience satisfaction and happiness. Practical exercises allowed participants to experience the different levels.
How can you use your intuition to stand confidently in front of the class? And how can education contribute to the necessary transformation from competition and assertiveness to cooperation and compassion? That was the topic of the Confident Teacher session.
Education and childcare must give future generations the awareness to act together based on sustainability, inclusive thinking, and everyone’s qualities. This is what The Teacher of the Future session zoomed in on.
For a healthy and fair future, we need sustainable and resilient ecosystems. The topic of permaculture was therefore an essential part of the festival.
British PROUT expert Jyothi and Argentine Kuntur from Campo Divino shared their vision and experience in a hopeful and practical workshop on PROUT (Progressive Utilization Theory). PROUT is a neohumanist vision and approach for a new economy in which fairness and sustainability are key.
Participants in the breathing session experienced how conscious breathing strengthens the connection with your body, relaxes the body, thoughts, and emotions, and provides insight into yourself. The afternoon program also offered a sound bath, featuring a variety of instruments and shamanic singing.
Relaxation and art came together during Magic Drawing. Children were completely absorbed in this activity, in which the body seems to be able to draw independently, music provides support, and beautiful works of art are created. Thirty minutes flew by instead of ten! Children could also participate in a dance workshop and yoga.
Towards evening, attendees sat down to a delicious plate of lasagna and good conversation. Harp music heralded the start of the evening’s musical program. We concluded our 25-year jubilee with a variety of musical performances, from harp to flute and from singing to djembe.
Neohumanist Changemakers from Campo Divino in Argentina participated in the Lotus Festival in Den Bosch, Netherlands and were happy to meet Gurukula Chancellor Acarya Shambhushivananda Avadhuta who is also the founding director of NERI (Neohumanist Education Research Institute) Netherlands.