• The Gardens of Babylon is a place to learn and grow.
• A place to feel accepted, comfortable, and free. Where love is unconditional and irrefutable.
• We ask consent for any sexual activity, for any touch, photograph, and even conversation.
• At The Gardens of Babylon, we appreciate cultures, don’t appropriate them.
• Always keep yourself and each other safe. There are drinking water taps on site.
• Political and ideological discussions are better off on Facebook, Telegram, and 4Chan.
• If you or someone around you is not feeling well, please contact one of the team members, go to the safe zone, and when necessary to first aid.

“I’m glad you think I’m sexy… But actually I don’t care. I’m simply dancing to my favourite music and not to impress you… It does not mean I want you close. Thank you for respecting my personal space.” ― Every person who does not give you consent

• You need consent for much more than just sexual activity; touching, photographs, even having a simple conversation – everything requires consent.
• Consent is also more than just saying yes; the person giving consent needs to be in a mental state to agree and have the freedom to say no if they choose to.
• Consent isn’t just given once; situations change, emotions swing, and people are allowed to change their minds…
• Consent is an agreement among people to engage in an activity together. To be sure you have consent, you need to be honest with the person in front of you. This will help you both understand what the other wants in order to respect each other’s boundaries.
• The correct time to ask for consent is: always. Asking for consent means that everyone is being clear about their desires and limits. It is important to acknowledge that this conversation can be scary or awkward, but it doesn’t have to be.

ASKING FOR CONSENT CAN BE CHARMING AND SEXY…

These are a few cute examples that can be used when asking for consent..

• May I touch/kiss you?
• Is it ok if I give you a hug?
• Can I put my arm around you?
• Can I touch you here?

People change their minds, it’s important to understand that consent can be removed at any time.

• Can I touch you here?
• I just want to make sure that you’re ok with it?
• I don’t want you to feel pressured, can I continue?
• “NO” means NO, always. Always remember, respect this choice and never try to pressure a person or change their mind. A “NO” doesn’t need any further explanation.

Here are different ways to say no

• No, thank you.
• I don’t want to.
• That doesn’t work for me.
• I don’t like it this way, can we try something else.
• This makes me uncomfortable.
• Maybe we should wait.

You can ask:

• “Should I keep going?”
• “Is it ok?”
• “Do you want me to try something else?”

You might worry that asking for consent sounds a little silly and is going to be a total mood killer, but the alternative is unacceptable. The more you practice asking for consent, the more comfortable you will get with this kind of communication. Consent is necessary and serious, but it doesn’t mean sitting down for a clinical discussion or signing forms.

If you feel comfortable to get closer, talk openly about what you both need and want, it’s perfectly fine and sexy! If you are being asked, be understanding in your responses. If you’re asking, be clear with your wants and be ready to accept “no” as a response. And if your partner makes you uncomfortable in either situation, you need to advocate for yourself or leave the situation.

Please, remember, it is not consent

• if your partner is incapacitated by drugs or alcohol,
• if you pressure or force them, or
• if you got consent for one act but not (yet) for another.

Silence is not consent! The best way to know that you have consent is to ask.

The Monastery is a safe space…

• All participants are family, people we want to and are able to trust.
  Let’s keep this place safe for all of us!
• If you ever feel unsafe or you notice something in your surrounding that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, please contact the organisation immediately.

You will see that gleaming caftans/kimono’s, metallic leggings, and feathered headpieces are true staple items amongst our crowd, and we celebrate all fashion styles and (sub)cultures. Yet, we ask you to please be mindful when incorporating traditional elements into your outfit. Wearing ethnic items is fine in most cases and a form of cultural appreciation. But, for example, wearing a feathered headdress that’s too similar to the Native American tradition, is an example of cultural appropriation.

We understand this can be confusing…

And it’s a challenge for many to see where the fine line lies. Take the following as a rule of thumb:

• Is this an item/style/symbol that people of an ethnic/cultural group would wear leisurely in everyday life?
• Is it an item/style/symbol that has a very significant cultural or religious status? The latter is definitely not ok.

If you know our team, you know food is life. Especially when you’re about to travel to a Monastery to party, dance and doing yoga, all relies on good nutrition.

• We keep food and drinks affordable
• We make sure we have a variety of vegetarian friendly menus and strive to provide vegan options
• We will serve from healthy to manly hangover food.