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The Imiloa Institute
is a global hub for the
education and advancement of men, women and children.

We believe that through a posture of learning and spirit of service, we can powerfully catalyze the individual and social transformation which creates stronger communities.

The Imiloa Institute : An Inter-Continental Institute for the Advancement of Humanity. Our flagship property in Costa Rica, Central America, features 200 year old imported homes from Indonesia, 20 acres of primary and secondary forest, a waterfall a… — The Imiloa Institute : An Inter-Continental Institute for the Advancement of Humanity. Our flagship property in Costa Rica, Central America, features 200 year old imported homes from Indonesia, 20 acres of primary and secondary forest, a waterfall and river walk, enchanted grounds, our Masters Pavillion for our "House of Masters" and sleeping for 36 double accommodation and 18 single accommodations.

The Three Pillars and Eight Governing Principles of The Imiloa Institute

Flagshipped in Costa Rica, with five additional locations planned on each continent on earth, and animated by the idea that ¨the world is but one country, and man-kind its citizens¨ (Bahá'u'lláh), we offer three pillars from which we build, and eight principles from which we grow.

PILLAR 1: Our House of Masters: With a strong foundation and history of celebrating Mastery in all its forms, we believe true Mastery is not an "thing" but instead an action. The true Masters among us dare to go out on the leading edge of thought, and remember to turn back to the rest of us and invite us out there with them, too. Our House of Masters is designed to be a workshop and education center for individual and collective retreats, and transformational and creative explorations.

PILLAR 2: Our Inter-Generational Community Living Design: Natives living on and serving as stewards of the land, becoming a warm and integral aspect to the community welcoming those visiting The Institute and leading the agricultural activities while creating an overall intimate environment from which to learn, play and create.

PILLAR 3: Our Edible Forest and Permaculture Energy Source: Our edible forest is a focal point of nourishing both play and work for our guests.

Eight Governing Principles

“I welcome the creation of an organization that understands that the consideration for future generations must be at the heart of decision making in any civilized society.”

— Professor Laurence Kotlinkoff

1. INTER-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY LIVING

By living in community with members of multiple generations, the living experience is enhanced as both wisdom and imagination are fused as one. In fact, the word “Imiloa” is Hawaiian for “exploration driven by a sense of wonder and imagination.” For those visiting, it provides a clear, unique, immersive and localized experience unlike any other.

2. NATUROPATHIC LIFESTYLE

We believe in the body’s inherent capability to heal. We catalyze the body with proper food, supported by our edible forest and permaculture design, exercise, art and community as a function of our desire to live prosperously.

3. SELF-SUSTAINABLE (FOOD, POWER WATER)

There are three natural sources of water on the land, part of it is already solar powered and over the next 24 months, we will be completely self-sustainable. We've taken steps to co-create our edible forest and permaculture design with natives and are providing for both our needs and the needs of the greater community.

“For every drug that benefits a patient, there is a natural substance that can achieve the same effect.”

— Dr. Carl C. Pfeiffer

“The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.”

— Masanobu Fukoka

Our 1,575+ Sq Ft. MASTERS PAVILLION is the center piece of the property. Built into the trees at more than 100 feet in the air, reality is suspended here. A neutral, warm, inviting environment for exploration and creativity. Jungle paths connect all… — Our 1,575+ Sq Ft. MASTERS PAVILLION is the center piece of the property. Built into the trees at more than 100 feet in the air, reality is suspended here. A neutral, warm, inviting environment for exploration and creativity. Jungle paths connect all 20 acres like arteries of a heart to the heart center of Imiloa.

4. ONTOLOGICAL STUDY AS A PATH TO SERVICE

Often the activities that give our lives the most meaning are not in alignment with how we earn an income. Deepening our understanding of service means uncovering the ontological oneness of human beings. The study of ontology is merely the branch of physics that deals with the nature of being. We count this as one of our highest aspirations, as it informs all aspects of our personal and professional lives.

“The more we search for ourselves, the less likely we are to find ourselves; and the more we search for God, and to serve our fellow-men, the more profoundly will we become acquainted with ourselves, and the more inwardly assured. This is one of the great spiritual laws of life.”

— Shoghi Effendi

5. APPRECIATION OF ART AND SCIENCE AS ONE

We believe art of all forms enhances every moment — physical, spiritual, sexual, social and creative — and, whether it’s natural art or human art, that it be displayed prominently as part of an immersive experience in our common areas, accommodations and throughout the natural environment.

“Let us not overlook the further great fact, that not only does science underlie sculpture, painting, music, poetry, but that science is itself poetic. The current opinion that science and poetry are opposed is a delusion… On the contrary science opens up realms of poetry where to the unscientific all is a blank.”

— Herbert Spencer

6. EXERTION OF THE FOUR ELEMENTS

We use the four elements in order to inspire our core activities as a community on the property.

Earth: Yoga
Wind: Energy source along with sun.
Water: For swimming and floating in float tanks.
Fire: For food preparation.

“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of art and science.”

— Albert Einstein

7. LIVING BUILDING DESIGN

From eco-friendly (and fun!) tree houses, to the 175 year old Balinese homes brought to Dominical to this estate, The Imiloa Institute has an eye for how its construction is not only sustainable, but contributes to the environment in beautiful and non-toxic ways.

Rooms are well appointed and can be luxurious single accommodations or double accommodations depending on your clientele and tone of the event.

“A designer is an emerging synthesis of artist, inventor, mechanic, objective economist and evolutionary strategist.”

— Buckminster Fuller

8. ADVENTURE AND SURPRISE

Not only thrilling for the senses, adventure and surprise also has a remarkable effect on human beings by getting us to focus on the present moment. The present also happens to be where the source of our power is found. Adventure and surprise returns us to our personal power and our retreats and experiences are designed around this concept.

“The meaning of life is just to be alive. This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.”

— Alan Watts

The Imiloa Institute is a global hub for theeducation and advancement of men, women and children.