Contents
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1. What have I been doing for the last 7 years?
2. How has the Diploma changed my life? 3. What lessons have there been? |
1. What have I been doing for the last 7 years?
Back in 2007 /08 I embarked on a PDC at my local allotments where I was introduced to Bill Mollison, David Holmgrem, Masanobu Fukuoka and Graham Bell, (not personally, via my tutor) to name a few. One of the guest tutors remarked that people tended to change their lives after embarking on a PDC. 2 years later I left my office job to start working outdoors and train as a gardener/food grower.
After registering for the Diploma, I met with my first tutor in her home outside Bedford and she explained the Diploma and possible pathway. I went home and had a good think about all the areas I was interested in as a basis for choosing designs and developing a pathway. See action learning pathway Some previous pathways and thoughts. Am glad to say most of these areas have remained a constant with me though not all have turned into designs.... the ones that have are to do with urban food growing, greening the city, soil repair, permaculture for kids, community, egoless gardening, ethical lifestyles, simplicity.
Between 2009 and 2014 I have been finding my feet as a gardener locally. There seems to be a bit of gap in documenting and Diploma activities generally from early 2010 to late 2012 when I attended National Diploma gathering. Running my own micro business has been very busy. Though also empowering and not as daunting as I 'd assumed self-employment to be. (However I 've been lucky to have the safety net of tax credits - that is about to change as new system called Universal Credit is being rolled out) . I advertised my gardening services locally with cards and leafllets and was explicit about the fact that I would use Permaculture Techniques (in some gardens this was easier than others). I made it clear to clients that I would not, for example, use slug pellets and would focus on healthy soil (see https://firehorsey.wordpress.com/impermaculture-designs-and-ethical-gardening What is ethical gardening?)
in 2011, I joined with other women in my area who were gardeners and concerned about the environment and we formed a group called Green Peas. (sounds a bit like Greenpeace). Though Green Peas didn't last, what came out of it was a Permaculture for kids club at Grow Mayow and Common Growth specifically with introducing Permaculture as it's aim. I 've also been co-leading Permaculture Kids Club with Suriya from February 2011 to October 2014.
As well as the kids club, I've occasionally taught intros and taster workshops locally. The first was in 2012 at Common Growth, again with Suirya. https://firehorsey.wordpress.com/intro-to-permaculture-a-taster . I also co-ran 2 full intros with Mich Thill and Ruth Wong in Jan 2013 and April 2013 in Lewisham, as well as a taster for Transition Town Westcombe park and the Quakers in March 2013. The latter was donations based (see Working in the Gift).
2. How has doing the Diploma changed my life? (a piece of reflective writing...)
To find out more on why I am doing the diploma see Ruth R's Diploma page.
a) Doing what I want to do (see gallery above).
The diploma has meant that I feel I have even more justifiction to spend time doing what I want to do,! - quite something in our culture of work-as-a-sacrifice-that-has-to-be-borne and leisure-time-is-the-time-you-get-to do what you really want. (There's a shorter way of saying that but I can't remember what it is yet).
I now had additional motives for going on walks, reading my local landscape, botannical drawing/sketching trees, researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point!
(for more detail see chronology convergences x2, dip gathering x1, giving intros and taster workshops occasionally, visiting and supporting local farms and community gardens whereever possible, growing food, encouraging clients to grow food, reading pc books (recently Sepp holzer, Aranya, Looby, Rosemary Morrow) and formely HOlmgrem's Principles and Pathways, Graham Bells' permaculture Way, Graham Burnetts's Intro to Permaculture booklet - great for teaching materials and clear explanationsI now had additional motives for going on walks, reading my local landscape, indulging self in botannical drawing/sketching trees, researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point! researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point! rvisiting Kew and chelsea Physicesearching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point!
researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point! (for more detail see chronology convergences x2, dip gathering x1, giving intros and taster workshops occasionally, visiting and supporting local farms and community gardens whereever possible, growing food, encouraging clients to grow food, reading pc books (recently Sepp holzer, Aranya, Looby, Rosemary Morrow) and formely HOlmgrem's Principles and Pathways, Graham Bells' permaculture Way, Graham Burnetts's Intro to Permaculture booklet - great for teaching materials and clear explanations.(for more detail see chronology convergences x2, dip gathering x1, giving intros and taster workshops occasionally, visiting and supporting local farms and community gardens whereever possible, growing food, encouraging clients to grow food, reading pc books (recently Sepp holzer, Aranya, Looby, Rosemary Morrow) and formely HOlmgrem's Principles and Pathways, Graham Bells' permaculture Way, Graham Burnetts's Intro to Permaculture booklet - great for teaching materials and clear explanations
For more detail see Chronology and Reading and References as well as My 10 designs.now had additional motives for going on walks, reading my local landscape, botannical drawing/sketching trees, researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point!
(for more detail see chronology convergences x2, dip gathering x1, giving intros and taster workshops occasionally, visiting and supporting local farms and community gardens whereever possible, growing food, encouraging clients to grow food, reading pc books (recently Sepp holzer, Aranya, Looby, Rosemary Morrow) and formely HOlmgrem's Principles and Pathways, Graham Bells' permaculture Way, Graham Burnetts's Intro to Permaculture booklet - great for teaching materials and clear explanationsnow had additional motives for going on walks, reading my local landscape, botannical drawing/sketching trees, researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point!
The diploma has meant that I feel I have even more justifiction to spend time doing what I want to do,! - quite something in our culture of work-as-a-sacrifice-that-has-to-be-borne and leisure-time-is-the-time-you-get-to do what you really want. (There's a shorter way of saying that but I can't remember what it is yet).
I now had additional motives for going on walks, reading my local landscape, botannical drawing/sketching trees, researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point!
(for more detail see chronology convergences x2, dip gathering x1, giving intros and taster workshops occasionally, visiting and supporting local farms and community gardens whereever possible, growing food, encouraging clients to grow food, reading pc books (recently Sepp holzer, Aranya, Looby, Rosemary Morrow) and formely HOlmgrem's Principles and Pathways, Graham Bells' permaculture Way, Graham Burnetts's Intro to Permaculture booklet - great for teaching materials and clear explanationsI now had additional motives for going on walks, reading my local landscape, indulging self in botannical drawing/sketching trees, researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point! researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point! rvisiting Kew and chelsea Physicesearching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point!
researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point! (for more detail see chronology convergences x2, dip gathering x1, giving intros and taster workshops occasionally, visiting and supporting local farms and community gardens whereever possible, growing food, encouraging clients to grow food, reading pc books (recently Sepp holzer, Aranya, Looby, Rosemary Morrow) and formely HOlmgrem's Principles and Pathways, Graham Bells' permaculture Way, Graham Burnetts's Intro to Permaculture booklet - great for teaching materials and clear explanations.(for more detail see chronology convergences x2, dip gathering x1, giving intros and taster workshops occasionally, visiting and supporting local farms and community gardens whereever possible, growing food, encouraging clients to grow food, reading pc books (recently Sepp holzer, Aranya, Looby, Rosemary Morrow) and formely HOlmgrem's Principles and Pathways, Graham Bells' permaculture Way, Graham Burnetts's Intro to Permaculture booklet - great for teaching materials and clear explanations
For more detail see Chronology and Reading and References as well as My 10 designs.now had additional motives for going on walks, reading my local landscape, botannical drawing/sketching trees, researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point!
(for more detail see chronology convergences x2, dip gathering x1, giving intros and taster workshops occasionally, visiting and supporting local farms and community gardens whereever possible, growing food, encouraging clients to grow food, reading pc books (recently Sepp holzer, Aranya, Looby, Rosemary Morrow) and formely HOlmgrem's Principles and Pathways, Graham Bells' permaculture Way, Graham Burnetts's Intro to Permaculture booklet - great for teaching materials and clear explanationsnow had additional motives for going on walks, reading my local landscape, botannical drawing/sketching trees, researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point!
b) More confidence
I feel empowered by Permaculture design tools, frameworks and outlook on life. I've seen that designs can arise out of almost any situatiion that requires some change or improvement. Just being with others who've been immersed in Permaculture has resulted in me feeling I can do it, whatever it is. (At the moment it is accreditation!)
c) a different outlook and dissemination
I've enjoyed recalling and applying the principles. One of my favourites is 'Obtain a yield', which has helped me become conversely less materialistic by seeing that the yield is not just what's on our agenda, and is 'limited only by the imagination of the designer'. This is abundance thinking. If am in a situation that I'm not particularly enjoying I can call this principle to mind and see an upside to almost anything. (very 'affirming', as they say!).
As a designer, and in my free time, I am more likely to look for the 'multiple functions' in what I am doing. When I taught Stepping into Harmony with Mich Thill in January 2014, I used the group design as a springboard to get my own design at St Saviour's documented and completed. I also took the opportunity in my Garden Design course to draft a design or two that I could actually use to show the client. If there are n't any obvious multiple functions then I will often create them. Waiting for a train at the station is an opportunity to do a bit of mindful walking. A long journey a chance to reflect on something or catch up with emails and reading. (This has overlapped with Obtain a Yield)
The principles are fantastic tools for shifting our attitudes and conditioning into more helpful, harmonious, cheerful ones, which is why I have enjoyed disseminating them. (See, Chronology, Stepping into Harmony, Working in the Gift Sections 8. Action and 9. Momentum).
I feel empowered by Permaculture design tools, frameworks and outlook on life. I've seen that designs can arise out of almost any situatiion that requires some change or improvement. Just being with others who've been immersed in Permaculture has resulted in me feeling I can do it, whatever it is. (At the moment it is accreditation!)
c) a different outlook and dissemination
I've enjoyed recalling and applying the principles. One of my favourites is 'Obtain a yield', which has helped me become conversely less materialistic by seeing that the yield is not just what's on our agenda, and is 'limited only by the imagination of the designer'. This is abundance thinking. If am in a situation that I'm not particularly enjoying I can call this principle to mind and see an upside to almost anything. (very 'affirming', as they say!).
As a designer, and in my free time, I am more likely to look for the 'multiple functions' in what I am doing. When I taught Stepping into Harmony with Mich Thill in January 2014, I used the group design as a springboard to get my own design at St Saviour's documented and completed. I also took the opportunity in my Garden Design course to draft a design or two that I could actually use to show the client. If there are n't any obvious multiple functions then I will often create them. Waiting for a train at the station is an opportunity to do a bit of mindful walking. A long journey a chance to reflect on something or catch up with emails and reading. (This has overlapped with Obtain a Yield)
The principles are fantastic tools for shifting our attitudes and conditioning into more helpful, harmonious, cheerful ones, which is why I have enjoyed disseminating them. (See, Chronology, Stepping into Harmony, Working in the Gift Sections 8. Action and 9. Momentum).
(for more detail see chronology convergences x2, dip gathering x1, giving intros and taster workshops occasionally, visiting and supporting local farms and community gardens whereever possible, growing food, encouraging clients to grow food, reading pc books (recently Sepp holzer, Aranya, Looby, Rosemary Morrow) and formely HOlmgrem's Principles and Pathways, Graham Bells' permaculture Way, Graham Burnetts's Intro to Permaculture booklet - great for teaching materials and clear explanations.d) better at Observation
I've become more observant as a result of applying Observe and Interact, another of my favourite principles. I like slowing down and taking time to really look at shapes.
I started looking more closely at tree shapes, the cycle of the moon, waves and clouds, plus what I can see from windows (rooftops) and making little sketches sometimes as a morning meditative activity or sometimes while I was out and about. This is something I will probably continue to do as I've found it satisfying and am improving spatial awareness as I go, something useful for Permaculture designers to develop.
I sometimes note down what I was listening to on the radio (often Thought for the Day) as a kind of record of that time (and an observation of what items were being broadcast at that time).
I now had additional motives for going on walks, reading my local landscape, botannical drawing/sketching trees, researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point!
(for more detail see chronology convergences x2, dip gathering x1, giving intros and taster workshops occasionally, visiting and supporting local farms and community gardens whereever possible, growing food, encouraging clients to grow food, reading pc books (recently Sepp holzer, Aranya, Looby, Rosemary Morrow) and formely HOlmgrem's Principles and Pathways, Graham Bells' permaculture Way, Graham Burnetts's Intro to Permaculture booklet - great for teaching materials and clear explanations
I've become more observant as a result of applying Observe and Interact, another of my favourite principles. I like slowing down and taking time to really look at shapes.
I started looking more closely at tree shapes, the cycle of the moon, waves and clouds, plus what I can see from windows (rooftops) and making little sketches sometimes as a morning meditative activity or sometimes while I was out and about. This is something I will probably continue to do as I've found it satisfying and am improving spatial awareness as I go, something useful for Permaculture designers to develop.
I sometimes note down what I was listening to on the radio (often Thought for the Day) as a kind of record of that time (and an observation of what items were being broadcast at that time).
I now had additional motives for going on walks, reading my local landscape, botannical drawing/sketching trees, researching trees at Kew gardens and plants at Chelsea physic, working on inner transistion using tools of Buddhism and with support of spritual community. By doing these, I am not just enjoying myself, I am practisiing observation skills or researching for designs. Then in the latter part of the diploma I identified things I needed to improve or explore and turned those into designs, which I think is the whole point!
(for more detail see chronology convergences x2, dip gathering x1, giving intros and taster workshops occasionally, visiting and supporting local farms and community gardens whereever possible, growing food, encouraging clients to grow food, reading pc books (recently Sepp holzer, Aranya, Looby, Rosemary Morrow) and formely HOlmgrem's Principles and Pathways, Graham Bells' permaculture Way, Graham Burnetts's Intro to Permaculture booklet - great for teaching materials and clear explanations
e) Applying the ethics
I've also loved the Ethics of Permaculture. Simple and effective, 3 basic fields of activity and awareness overlap and constitute the core of Permaculture.
The Earthcare ethic puts into words what I've wanted to do for a long time, just care for the Earth. It looks after us, why don't we look after it? (I could get emotional here but I'll leave it at that!). One way I practise earthcare now s by buying mainly second hand clothes. It saves water and energy used in manufacture of new clothes and reduces the amount piling up in landfill.
Earthcare and Sustainability
Ways my lifestyle has changed since completing the PDC in 2007 and embarking on the Diploma.
Things I've done for a long time such as riding a bike, not owning a car, joining a veg box scheme, recycling, buying second hand wherever possible and choosing a green energy supplier were second nature. However after the PDC I wanted to be immersed in an environmentally friendly lifestyle as much as possible. I already had an allotment (Plot 60a and The Earth Element) but what else could I do? I left my office job in 2009 and started volunteering at Devonshire Road Nature Reserve. I took a course in Horticulture in 2010. I became a self-employed gardener, using only organic and Permaculture methods. Luckily I have not been asked to use slug pellets and have convince some clients to stop putting them down.
The Fairshares ethic neatly encapsulates natural justice. I was brought up by a socialist mum so I strongly feel it's isn't fair to leave some people without what they need when there is enough for everyone. I was taught that excessive greed isn't good both at home and at school (contrary to the line in the 1987 film Wall Street starring Michael Douglas). However I was alarmed to find in the 80's and 90's this became the prevailing doctrine and is still very much with us in 2014.
I like the quality of abundance inherent in the Fairshares ethic, it's a very reassuring and positive way to proceed! Rather than the scarcity model we live within now (see design on Gift Economy). I have volunteered in a charity shop for a couple of years in Bethnal Green and Croydon, and both shops have such a surplus of stuff that they can send bags off to be 'ragged'. There is not really a shortage of stuff, but second hand is not valued in the same way as new stuff due to our cultural conditioning.
To apply the Fairshares ethic am working towards becoming a Vegan (bought lots of Engevita from a friend in a food coop!). I will take part in Veganuary and then see how it goes. See http://www.veganuary.com What appeals to me about being a vegan apart from health benefits, is that a vegan diet will emit fewer greenhouse gases, can provide more food using less land and animal cruelty is non-existent. (As a vegetarian, I think I've been avoiding looking at the dairy industry's practices too closely as I know they are inhumane but don't want to be confronted with the details!)
I am also going to work in a Team-based Right Livelihood, which is an ethical business that is low impact and led and managned by peers.
The Peoplecare I have seen in action at gatherings and events has been exemplary - the application of principles integrate not segrate and value the marginal in a way that is sensitive and effective. The Peoplecare ethic encompasses a huge sphere of concern and activity and has reminded me to be kinder to myself and others. There are many creative ways to do this and one I have looked at recently has been Non-violent communication which I have found to be revolutionary. As a buddhist, I like to think I have been practising peoplecare by practising the 5 precepts (training principles).
I have looked at how Permaculture ethics synch with Buddhist ethics (see illustration and overlay below).
I've also loved the Ethics of Permaculture. Simple and effective, 3 basic fields of activity and awareness overlap and constitute the core of Permaculture.
The Earthcare ethic puts into words what I've wanted to do for a long time, just care for the Earth. It looks after us, why don't we look after it? (I could get emotional here but I'll leave it at that!). One way I practise earthcare now s by buying mainly second hand clothes. It saves water and energy used in manufacture of new clothes and reduces the amount piling up in landfill.
Earthcare and Sustainability
Ways my lifestyle has changed since completing the PDC in 2007 and embarking on the Diploma.
Things I've done for a long time such as riding a bike, not owning a car, joining a veg box scheme, recycling, buying second hand wherever possible and choosing a green energy supplier were second nature. However after the PDC I wanted to be immersed in an environmentally friendly lifestyle as much as possible. I already had an allotment (Plot 60a and The Earth Element) but what else could I do? I left my office job in 2009 and started volunteering at Devonshire Road Nature Reserve. I took a course in Horticulture in 2010. I became a self-employed gardener, using only organic and Permaculture methods. Luckily I have not been asked to use slug pellets and have convince some clients to stop putting them down.
The Fairshares ethic neatly encapsulates natural justice. I was brought up by a socialist mum so I strongly feel it's isn't fair to leave some people without what they need when there is enough for everyone. I was taught that excessive greed isn't good both at home and at school (contrary to the line in the 1987 film Wall Street starring Michael Douglas). However I was alarmed to find in the 80's and 90's this became the prevailing doctrine and is still very much with us in 2014.
I like the quality of abundance inherent in the Fairshares ethic, it's a very reassuring and positive way to proceed! Rather than the scarcity model we live within now (see design on Gift Economy). I have volunteered in a charity shop for a couple of years in Bethnal Green and Croydon, and both shops have such a surplus of stuff that they can send bags off to be 'ragged'. There is not really a shortage of stuff, but second hand is not valued in the same way as new stuff due to our cultural conditioning.
To apply the Fairshares ethic am working towards becoming a Vegan (bought lots of Engevita from a friend in a food coop!). I will take part in Veganuary and then see how it goes. See http://www.veganuary.com What appeals to me about being a vegan apart from health benefits, is that a vegan diet will emit fewer greenhouse gases, can provide more food using less land and animal cruelty is non-existent. (As a vegetarian, I think I've been avoiding looking at the dairy industry's practices too closely as I know they are inhumane but don't want to be confronted with the details!)
I am also going to work in a Team-based Right Livelihood, which is an ethical business that is low impact and led and managned by peers.
The Peoplecare I have seen in action at gatherings and events has been exemplary - the application of principles integrate not segrate and value the marginal in a way that is sensitive and effective. The Peoplecare ethic encompasses a huge sphere of concern and activity and has reminded me to be kinder to myself and others. There are many creative ways to do this and one I have looked at recently has been Non-violent communication which I have found to be revolutionary. As a buddhist, I like to think I have been practising peoplecare by practising the 5 precepts (training principles).
I have looked at how Permaculture ethics synch with Buddhist ethics (see illustration and overlay below).
I don't see any conflict betwen Permaculture ethics and Buddhist ethics, in fact they sit well together. However, the Earthcare side of things isn't explicit in Buddhist ethics, maybe because the Buddha lived in a time when humans didn't have the technology to affect nature so easily. It is possible that the precept of 'loving kindness' could refer to Earthcare, though in reality it is applied to to people and animals mainly. (Many Buddhists are vegetarians and vegans because they don't wish to take lives, but will engage in activities that have a detrimental effect on the environment, possibly because it's a huge blind spot for many of us - as Naomi Kline says, we are 'locked in politically, physically and culturally' to our current system).
The precept on 'open-handed generosity' looks as if it might conflict with 'Obtain a Yield' if we forget about the truth of interconnectedness. With Buddhist ethics, giving is ideally done without expectation of anything in return. But because we are interconnected, we can't help getting something back - a feeling of having contributed, gratitude, ethical satisfaction, etc. So there will be a yield no matter how open handed we are! This precept works with all 3 Permaculture ethics. I have explored generosity and how it works in my design The Gift Economy.
'Stillness, simplicity and contentment' is about curbing our greed and, for me, this sits well with the Fairshares ethic as well as the other two.
'Truthful communication' may be more relevant in the Peoplecare arena, though it could be applied to speaking up about injustice. Speaking out can be hard, especially if I don't want to create disharmony. Keeping quiet about something that I know to be wrong could be a form of dishonesty and ultimately not very helpful. This portfolio aims to be as open and honest as possible.
Lastly, 'Mindfulness clear and radiant' as an aim sounds like a tall order but it is aspirational and necessary for me to practice any of the 3 ethics. How can I care for the Earth and other people in a fair way, if I dont' see what's going on? This precept is in tune with Observe and Interact.
The precept on 'open-handed generosity' looks as if it might conflict with 'Obtain a Yield' if we forget about the truth of interconnectedness. With Buddhist ethics, giving is ideally done without expectation of anything in return. But because we are interconnected, we can't help getting something back - a feeling of having contributed, gratitude, ethical satisfaction, etc. So there will be a yield no matter how open handed we are! This precept works with all 3 Permaculture ethics. I have explored generosity and how it works in my design The Gift Economy.
'Stillness, simplicity and contentment' is about curbing our greed and, for me, this sits well with the Fairshares ethic as well as the other two.
'Truthful communication' may be more relevant in the Peoplecare arena, though it could be applied to speaking up about injustice. Speaking out can be hard, especially if I don't want to create disharmony. Keeping quiet about something that I know to be wrong could be a form of dishonesty and ultimately not very helpful. This portfolio aims to be as open and honest as possible.
Lastly, 'Mindfulness clear and radiant' as an aim sounds like a tall order but it is aspirational and necessary for me to practice any of the 3 ethics. How can I care for the Earth and other people in a fair way, if I dont' see what's going on? This precept is in tune with Observe and Interact.
f) Permaculture People
Hearing other people's projects has been so inspiring and I know I need to meet up with others regularly to keep the momentum going. I value the time I've spent at convergences and peer support guilds (though only recently felt able to go out in evenings due to childcare issues). Peer Support guilds over the years have been one of highlights of doing the Diploma. The original PSG included people from my Design Certificate, plus two other women that I had met through my PDC tutor. This didn't last longer than 6 months as people had different priorities and I was the only person doing the Diploma, though it was energizing to spend time with others who were involved in 'positive actions' and applying the Permaculture Ethics (starting transition towns, teaching food growing in schools, Cradle to Cradle, Sustainable housing). The second Peer Support group a few years later was similar, we all had done the PDC (I was only Dip apprentice) and were all into food growing, eduction, the environment. THis fizzled out also due to family committments and wanting more free time. After the Diploma Gathering 2012, the London apprentices, led by Liz who produced a design on it, started meeting at the South Bank and I was able to attend a few of those. We used the 4 action learning questions and active listening. It was good to hear about other people's projects. However as luck would have it! once my daughter got old enough to leave indoors by herself the meetings sort of tailed off (Winter 2014). I would have like more continuity but the meetings worked as stand alone events also.
I have met apprentices in my area now which is great, so I feel as if there are more resources in terms of people, though my sense of urgency to finish the Diploma in 2015 means that I will be focusing on Documenting and meeting two others that also wish to accredit in July.
g) Connectedness and optimism
Attending Permaculture events, especially when I've not known anyone there, has felt a bit like 'coming home'. I've met other people who care what happens to our lovely green planet (and all who sail in her) and are working for change both behind the scenes and on centre stage.
Hearing other people's projects has been so inspiring and I know I need to meet up with others regularly to keep the momentum going. I value the time I've spent at convergences and peer support guilds (though only recently felt able to go out in evenings due to childcare issues). Peer Support guilds over the years have been one of highlights of doing the Diploma. The original PSG included people from my Design Certificate, plus two other women that I had met through my PDC tutor. This didn't last longer than 6 months as people had different priorities and I was the only person doing the Diploma, though it was energizing to spend time with others who were involved in 'positive actions' and applying the Permaculture Ethics (starting transition towns, teaching food growing in schools, Cradle to Cradle, Sustainable housing). The second Peer Support group a few years later was similar, we all had done the PDC (I was only Dip apprentice) and were all into food growing, eduction, the environment. THis fizzled out also due to family committments and wanting more free time. After the Diploma Gathering 2012, the London apprentices, led by Liz who produced a design on it, started meeting at the South Bank and I was able to attend a few of those. We used the 4 action learning questions and active listening. It was good to hear about other people's projects. However as luck would have it! once my daughter got old enough to leave indoors by herself the meetings sort of tailed off (Winter 2014). I would have like more continuity but the meetings worked as stand alone events also.
I have met apprentices in my area now which is great, so I feel as if there are more resources in terms of people, though my sense of urgency to finish the Diploma in 2015 means that I will be focusing on Documenting and meeting two others that also wish to accredit in July.
g) Connectedness and optimism
Attending Permaculture events, especially when I've not known anyone there, has felt a bit like 'coming home'. I've met other people who care what happens to our lovely green planet (and all who sail in her) and are working for change both behind the scenes and on centre stage.
3. What lessons have there been?
- There have been some designs that didn't make it off the ground.. D's and E's gardens for example. I learnt that, without the client, taking watering and soil fertility seriously, the designs wouldn't make it out of the ground (or off the paper). The lack of success then created doubts in the client and they would want to try another tack, especially if they already had some knowledge of gardening. I think expectations are high from clients when they are paying a gardener to grow food. It is only successful with regular input either from me or the client in terms of watering and as most jobs are fortnightly, crops wouldn't get harvested on time as client too busy to go out and pick (or not sure what to pick). I learnt to let go of these designs and start again.
- Frameworks - having had the opportunity to try them out, I prefer Looby's web (like a safety net!) as it is the only one with Vision explicitly contained within. Most of my designs originate with a vision-type experience (not hallucination!) but a wish or a dream, then I design from there. (Design from patterns to details). SADIM/OBREDIMET/CEAP/PASTE all start with what is there which good for an 'empty mind' approach. An empty mind approach will mean more open to letting nature take the lead and suggest things. However, if I'm not clear about what I want/client wants I can get halfway through a design and have to start again/scrap it. (See above paragraph). I also like the stages of Looby's web that allow for Appreciation and Pause. I often forget to build in pauses when designing, although they will happen naturally a lot of the time, is good to recognise pauses as a valid stages or transistions. Appreciation is an important part of evaluatiion for me and ties in with what have said about Obtain a Yield in 1c) above being not always about material yields.
- Having noted the above I also observed about myself that I am drawn to patterns but not so much details. Once a design gets detailed I have to apply a lot of Self regulation in order to stay focused and get it done. I' m hoping completion of the Diploma will lend me a sense of achievement - I can be an all rounder (Use and Value diversity) and apply myself to things I find more challenging.
- I dont' always 'get it' first time and on reviewing old designs realise how I my understanding of them changes as I go along,- for example designing the Pavillion Triangle I did as an academic exercise rather than liaise much with the client. The design was implemented after a fashion which I'm pleased about but I didn't gather enough info or evaluate or tweak, so didn't complete the design cycle.
- Slow and protracted observation a lovely ideal but initially hard to confine myself to just that. Ideas pop up all the time. I think the first few of my designs were implemented before lots of formal observation had taken place.
One way I have used to combat this is to shelve ideas for a bit and wait till they reoccur - (Catch and Store Energy). If they do several times then I tend to go with that. For example, the gift economy first cropped up for me in March 2014 during an Intro to Permaculture. One of the participants gave it as an example of Fairshares and Peoplecare ethics. I said I would look into it and watched the video by Charles Eisenstein. I'd also heard of people in the Triratna Buddhist movement practising it (it's known as the Dana Economy, 'give what you can, take what you need' though Charles Eisenstien's vision has a much wider scope than the realm of retreats and meditation classes). Then I decided I'd really like to try it (I had offered one class on donations basis and people were very generous). I have been concerned about growing social exclusion especially in the area of education on the basis of income. I'm very old school and I think education should be free or at least affordable . See Working in the Gift for more info on how this worked out for me.