earth · sky · stillness
Marco & Inge
earth
witness of awakening
A simple life begins with simplicity itself — with slowing down, touching the earth, and remembering what truly sustains us. Feel yourself rooted in the earth and observe the natural order of things in the continuous cycle of growth and decline.
Life on our quinta follows the rhythm of the surrounding land, as shown by ancient trees, distant mountains, quiet hills and river valleys: a testimony to the slow passage of time and everlasting change.
Living close to nature feels like a quiet form of wisdom — an invitation to return to yourself and to let go of a hectic life dominated by short-term expectations or pressures. Mountains will crumble, but life will continue to flourish.
You can walk barefoot here, feel the warmth of the earth, and reconnect with the gentle joy of belonging to the living world, in which nothing ever stays the same.
sky
invite openess
Standing on the earth, you look up to see the vast open sky. There are no limits; beyond the sky and the sun lies an entire universe that reveals itself at night with millions of sparkling stars. The sky is wide, open and endless. Sun rays warm you as clouds drift by, like the coming and going of thoughts — always changing, for eons and eons.
The vast sky invites us to let go of thoughts and worries, to let them pass by like clouds. When we stop to pause, we create an open space — in our breath, in our thoughts, and in the way we move through the day. Breathing with awareness opens a window to clarity and ease, knowing that you are part of something infinitely bigger.
There is time here to pause, to rest, to listen to the wind and the birds, to look at the clouds during the day or the stars at night. The simplicity of the days helps you find your own rhythm again — where work, rest and silence flow together like clouds across an open sky.
stillness
the art of doing nothing
Feeling rooted in the earth and boundless under the open sky, you can feel stillness growing inside your heart and mind. Stillness is not the absence of sound, but the presence of everything without the need for control. It is the natural flow of things — rest in motion. From here, calmness and acceptance follow, and ultimately understanding and compassion.
Harmony can grow in your mind, not through a narrow focus on the short term, but by being part of something bigger and striving to be a positive presence in the world.
Stillness at Chão da Mina is not about being quiet, but about the presence of peace — being at peace with yourself and with the world. It’s the gentle art of doing less, of allowing yourself to linger, to dream, to be nourished by the surroundings. You can simply be: unhurried, free, grounded and at ease. Stand in awe at the sight of a vast mountain; stand in awe at the sight of a small butterfly.
A quieter life is a rare gift — a way of seeing more clearly, of hearing more deeply, of being truly here.