Mycelium Dinners: A Beautiful Forest
How natural forest’s underground secrets give rise to deeper human connections.
In a world suffering from anxiety, depression and loneliness, a new idea is germinating.
In nature, Mycelium forms underground symbiotic networks. Inspired by the forest root system, Mycelium Dinners is a social-art experiment to grow community through trust and love.
Dinners to grow trust and love, to honour the ancient rituals of sharing stories and food, to counter anxiety, depression, and loneliness in your own community, and beyond.
The first spore germinated in the fertile soil of Aotearoa, New Zealand in January 2019.
One evening. Six people. At someone’s home. Each one bringing their own story and a homemade dish. Together, they explored the food and the stories, one by one.
Now is the time to grow more communities through trust and love.
In a world that desperately needs it. Let’s nourish our beautiful human forest.
Together.
The idea was inspired by the poem “A Beautiful Forest”. Written in Barcelona, November 2018. The poem appeared in a dream during a restless night. To the whispers of the stars, the moon revealed...
“A Beautiful Forest”
“From the elements of earth, water, air and fire,
Mankind circled and built a collective desire,
Man-made systems swirling up and around,
Slowly forgetting collective roots underground.”
“Later came the industrial revolution,
A metallic cage of spiritual destitution,
Loneliness, depression and pollution,
Somewhat posing as human evolution.”
“A systemic craving for growth,
Leaving people with inertia and loath,
To change their own misconstruction,
Even when it leads to self-destruction.”
“Now is the time to break free from this cage,
United in love, wisdom and sage,
Soaking in the intelligence of the Mother,
Healing our separation to each one and another.”
“Mycelium connecting sister and brother,
Sharing food and stories to rediscover,
Growing roots of trust and love,
A beautiful forest is rising above.”
