“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
Lao Tzu

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
André Gide

 

We disembarked from Ilma several weeks ago. As I sat at the keyboard, my fingers froze. My mind insisted on drafting a report, yet my heart longed to simply share the depth of my experience. Overwhelmed, I realized that my fingertips were not yet connected to my emotions, so I decided to give myself time—time for the feelings to settle and find their place.

Even now, I am in a state of shock, still processing, interpreting, and making sense of it all. The first drafts I wrote upon my return ended up in the trash—I needed space to untangle the intensity of the emotions stirred by this unprecedented journey. A single blog post could never capture it all. The experience was profound, magical, and transformative—beyond words.

This journey marked a turning point in my life, like roots diving deep into the ocean of existence. Together, we were around 370 people—connecting, sharing, and dreaming. We envisioned, in ways both deeply sensitive and strikingly tangible, how to create a better world rooted in regeneration.

Today, from the calm of these last days of the year that bring calm reflection, I find the moment to narrate the essence of this journey. It was a voyage that physically took us from Lisbon to San Juan in early November but, spiritually, transported me to an entirely new dimension.

Expectations and Wonder in the Unknown

I boarded the ship with few expectations, beyond curiosity about its comfort and facilities. My prior experiences with conferences, assemblies, or festivals led me to imagine the usual paraphernalia: cheap plastic lanyards, name tags, and awkward icebreakers. Now, I can’t help but laugh at my assumptions. I was completely wrong.

I knew almost no one aboard—just a few faces glimpsed on screens during brief video calls. The first hours were awkward, highlighted by an opening ceremony that, like a resonant bell, announced this would be no ordinary event. I also knew little about Earth One—its founders or its history. Yet I trusted my intuition and dove in, fueled by the curiosity that has often led me to extraordinary places.

The journey began with a ritual—a moment outside the conventional matrix. On the deck, under the setting sun, figures in beautiful costumes performed rituals: Jamaican Rastafarians, an Amazonian shaman, Indian swamis (including one from Germany), Native American leaders, and a Cuban Taino among others. Chants, flutes, drums, incense, and prayers created a dazzlingly simple magic. The port of Lisbon glowed in the background, a perfect scene to begin an extraordinary experience.

With no connection to my past as a publicist or entrepreneur from rainy Santa Ana, Costa Rica, I set out to explore these new dimensions with the openness of a child. I gave myself permission to embrace the unknown with kindness and curiosity.

What followed was unexpectedly spiritual, deeply human, wonderfully intimate, and profoundly transformative—a unique, virtually unrepeatable experience.

Crossing the Ocean of Transformation

As we sailed the Atlantic, I thought about the millions who had crossed before us: migrants, traders, pirates, and explorers. Each crossing left an indelible mark, changing lives forever. It reminded me of my grandfather by adoption, Pedro Oller Brugueras, who left Catalonia in 1901 to cross the Atlantic, never to return. His choice shaped his life—and a century later, mine.

For me, it was my first time crossing by sea. Unlike countless crossings in history, this one united a few hundred people around a shared vision: regeneration as a vital essence for humanity.

We crossed borders and opened possibilities. On a personal level, it was mind-blowing. It opened my heart to a dimension of humanity I had never known before. To cross oceans—literal or metaphorical—is to let go and embrace new possibilities.

The Thread of Spirituality of a Land

Today Throughout this experience, I absorbed a wealth of information, but nothing impacted me more profoundly than what I discovered on a spiritual level. I heard spirituality defined in a single, powerful word: connectedness. That simple idea crystallized for me the profound importance of spirituality in our lives.

Connection to nature, to the ocean, to all living beings, and to people across the globe. Connection to our ancestors and to those who will come after us. Connection to our neighbors, to strangers, to our origins, and even to our dreams. Authentic connection. Genuine connection. Connection.

During the voyage, spirituality permeated everything. It manifested in countless forms, woven into every conversation, idea, and reflection. Whether discussing new economies, governance, oceans, resilience, or any other topic, it became clear that every issue was better understood and more deeply addressed when approached with an authentic sense of spirituality.

Even the simplest moments reinforced this sense of connection. Walking into one of the ship’s restaurants, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, I would discover the magic of human connection. Sitting at a table with a stranger often led to leaving, an hour later, with eight or ten new friends. Smiles and warmth radiated throughout the journey, enriching every interaction from beginning to end.

Then it all clicked: with gentleness, sensitivity, and love, we uncovered the true depth and possibilities of our connections.

This journey was far more than an Atlantic crossing; it became a powerful testament to the strength of connection, the potential of collaboration, and the shared belief that, together, we can build a better world.

The Six Guilds and Regeneration

The ship was divided into six main groups, where sponsors, experts, members, and participants focused on distinct themes: new economies, biocultures, resilience, oceans, intelligences, and the one I chose, governance. Each day, these groups came together several times to exchange ideas and proposals, uncover projects and realities, launch initiatives, and explore new possibilities. Working groups were formed, new communities were established, and practical solutions were developed to make meaningful contributions to the planet.

The true impact of these discussions is yet to unfold. The ripple effects they set in motion could manifest in countless ways, shaping the future in ways we can only imagine. The challenges we tackled were immense, yet the ideas and proposals that emerged were powerful—creative, often simple, yet profoundly innovative. Like the subtle yet transformative flutter of a butterfly’s wings, the outcomes of this journey may touch every corner of the world, propelled by the spirit of regeneration.

Regeneration. A concept that, for me, integrates two essential values: renewal and generosity. It represents a philosophy of life that strives to heal, restore, and enrich both our environment and our relationships, with the deep intention of creating a more balanced and sustainable future.

It is a call to action—a reminder to approach life with clear awareness of our connection to nature, to others, and to the world we share. Regeneration can only thrive through generosity: the willingness to selflessly give our time, resources, and energy to repair what has been damaged and to create something that transcends individual boundaries.

Regenerosity is more than an ideal—it’s a daily practice that calls us to live with intention and purpose, contributing to real, tangible change in our lives and in the world around us.

During this journey, the themes of the guilds and regeneration became the foundation of deep and transformative conversations. Every idea, every proposal, and every connection born on board reflected a shared commitment to healing and restoring our world. Yet, behind every project and initiative lay something even more profound: an invisible fabric of intentions and emotions that highlighted our shared humanity.

This fabric is spirituality in action—a force unseen yet deeply felt. It was present in every conversation, every glance, and every act of regeneration. In the end, everything we do for the common good is rooted in this spiritual connection to the world and to one another.

And so, this chapter closes, opening the door to an even deeper space: the spirit of who we are, what we share, and what we collectively aspire to transform.

Nakaloka and Ram’s story

Among the many meaningful encounters, one stood out: a sacred concert by Månika Dogra and Victorien, called Nakaloka. Their warmth, talent, and wisdom were unforgettable. Swami Chidananga narrated Ram’s Story, a deeply symbolic tale of detachment, which left a profound impact on me. I was so moved that I’ve decided to include it in the epilogue of the book I’m writing.

As a gift of life, they accepted my invitation to visit Costa Rica. Over 10 days, we’ll share and relive the beauty of this Atlantic crossing, presenting Nakaloka and celebrating its lessons together.

Earth One for a world that needs it

As I bring this post to a close, I cannot emphasize enough the significance of Earth One—an organization that embodies regenerativity as both a philosophy of life and a call to action. Under the leadership of Bear Kittay, its co-founder and visionary, Earth One has become a driving force in this mission. Bear’s unique ability to foster human connection and his unwavering commitment to the cause make him an indispensable figure. His leadership not only inspires but also propels a movement rooted in regeneration and generosity as key principles for tackling global challenges.

In a world crying out for profound and sustainable change, initiatives like Earth One are essential. Movements that prioritize connection, collaboration, and regenerative action act as beacons of hope and transformation. By uniting people from diverse backgrounds and corners of the globe around a shared purpose, Earth One demonstrates the extraordinary power of humanity to organize around values that are both authentic and essential.

While I haven’t yet decided to fully commit to Earth One, its vision and mission deeply resonate with me. I am thoughtfully considering the possibility, understanding the profound impact that movements like this can have on our lives and the shared world we inhabit.

Regenerosity is far more than a concept—it is an invitation to live with intention, awareness, and love. It calls us to actively build a future that respects and nurtures our connection to nature, one another, and ourselves. In this light, Earth One’s work serves as a powerful reminder that, together, we have the capacity to create real and lasting change.