The twentieth century was marked by globalization, accompanied by a loss of local cultures. A strong cultural standardization leading to what we feel to be a loss of culture in many areas, is particularly noticeable in the so called “developed industrial nations”. Due to an uprooting and blending of peoples, a return to traditional values is only partially or even no longer possible for many people. This is why we conceive it to be one of the big tasks in the beginning part of the  21st century to develop and nurture new local cultures. Culture gives us roots, conveys a feeling of belonging und with it also security. Hence, culture nurtures us and gives us a framework which supports individuals to move into their creativity, to express themselves and to play an active part in shaping their lives.

In the course of this project, a model community featuring cross-generational communal living will be developed,, based on ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable principles, will serve as a breeding ground for sustainability as a living cultural asset. Living together in the community is the basis of our research, providing learning opportunities for visitors and residents alikeand will go way beyond the passing of theoretical knowledge. Sustainability can be experienced as an inner attitude and as the expression of true prosperity. For us, a culture of sustainability comprises a return to truly nurturing elements of communal living, many of which we seem to have lost.

Research & Education
The Center for Research and Education is considered a research project in a living sense, not in a strongly scientific one. Although scientific research can be done in the course of this project, the main focus will explore searching in an original sense, emphasizing exploration. In this project we want to define new ways of managing resources, of relating to each other, to limitation and to abundance. For this purpose, individual projects will be launched continuously and special times for reflection will be established.

At the time of take-over, the Höllbachhof is primarily a place for seminars. This structure will be maintained initially, so that this space can be an educational centre for residents as well as for visitors. What is  offered educationally will follow the greater vision of the centre  – to develop a new culture of sustainable living. As we understand it, such a culture encompasses different levels of human experience and activity. Therefore, the educational programs on offer should complement each other in a way that these different levels are covered.

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   hoellbachhof-info@web.de

Founder:
Vivian Dittmar, born 1978 in Starnberg near Munich is the initiator of the Höllbachhof project and the founder of the Höllbachhof-foundation. She has been working as an international seminar teacher under the pseudonym Amana Virani, since she was 22 years old. She actively supports people in their search for change. She is the author of the book "Feelings – how to use them intelligently" and is the mother of two children.
Through her own experience of living in Bali as a child and later in the United States she has always been in a deep interaction with the phenomena of culture. The experience of the simplicity, connectedness to nature, community and spirituality in the Balinese village of her childhood never left her, and the contrast to the western way of living both fascinated  and scarred her. Her visits to Bali, India, middle and south-america allowed her to go deeper into her fascination and to realize what she personally wants to contribute to change the status quo.
Since the beginning of the year 2009 she totally committed herself to this project, because her wish to develop a sustainable way of living has become the main cause in her work and her personal life.
Vivian lives at Höllbachhof with her two sons, Sunyan and Arvin.

» interview with Vivian Dittmar

After her studies she mainly worked as a freelancing art-therapist and a teacher with groups of adults and teenagers. She also worked as a therapist in a clinic.
On her long journeys through asia and southamerica, she was looking for alternative ways to look at healing that could enrich and complete her work with people. On a journey in Costa Rica 2002, she met Vivian Dittmar . The trance-therapeutic procedures, that were already then playing a central role in Vivian's work, fascinated her and so a year later she travelled to Indonesia, to participate in more of her seminars.
Since 2005 she is working closely with Vivian Dittmar, organizing and facilitating seminars, events and trainings. One of her strengths is Project co-ordination and facilitation.This ability she now wants to offer to the project Höllbachhof.
Through her longing for nature and simplicity Chiara Greber feels deeply connected to Höllbachhof and its vision. She is looking forward to explore and discover new ways of being together with people and nature. Chiara lives  in Höllbachhof with her daughter Liyah.

natural and relaxed way of handling spiritual values in the context of the everyday life. After trying several models of living, she felt more and more that living in a small family and the constraints of a society based on consumerism is reaching its end. The wish to explore life in a community with a close connection to nature was growing in her.
Her passion to support people who are going through a period of change or crisis, led her to choose a profession in the medical context, with further training  as a Health- and Life-consultant.
Later on, her search for a deeper understanding of healing-processes and her own path of self-exploration and expanding her awareness led her to dive into the eastern philosophy, meditation, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, intuitive painting and to trainings in alternative ways of healing with healers and spiritual teachers from different cultures.
At Höllbachhof she supports the foundation in organizing and facilitating seminars and is also available for healing-and awarness-work for groups and single sessions.