Sophia Malonson: 1st Reflection
What is your vision for the world utilizing sustainable principles?
My vision is of a self-aware, comm(unity) centered and globally responsible world that is conscious of the connective web that is all life and how they fit into the living web. This kind of balance and awareness would reflect itself in the health of all life, from the purification of water and living air to thriving human/animal wellness and the commonality of healthy relationships. More specifically, I see humans recognizing their role within ecosystems as designers, influencers and creators that do not mindlessly destroy for only “their benefit,” while this was never really the case, although a powerful illusion indeed. Humans using the sustainable principles, will be equipped with a process that allows them to truly embody their full potential as nurturers, providers, problem solvers, artists, and inventors as well as reaffirm our Earthly navigation systems of emotional and sensual intelligence. I see this world in vibrant color, smell, sound, taste and touch because of its returned alignment with nature’s magnificence that is so pleasing to us. The heartful and thoughtful curation of gardens, architecture, events and spaces of all kinds with our love of aesthetics and harmony will create even more beauty, convenience and health than we have ever experienced, while keeping with the inherent laws of Earth.
How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/host of transformative change?
My ideal authentic expression as a facilitator/host of transformative change is living through service. To me this encompasses nearly anything of the highest growth and good for humanity and the earth. Being of service to myself and to all life is rooted in listening and allowing patterns of thought, emotion and action to emerge. Assessing, intuiting, calling upon needs, useful information and action are then the next steps. Holding a space for exploration is of most importance, prompting and supporting questions that provoke deep thought, emotional responses and self-awareness while also honoring all processes, responses and comfort levels to be as inclusive and resilient as possible. I would like to hold balance in my assertion and receptivity as well as in staying on an organized schedule while also allowing what needs to be brought forth flow freely. Accepting, digesting and adjusting from feedback is also just as integral to self-aware and growth as hosting itself.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition towards a sustainable and thriving future?
Deep and nurturing connection with self, others and our environment, I believe, is the foundation of a sustainable and thriving future for our world. Competitive leadership creates the illusion of separation, unequal power structures and oppression/revolution against oppression (a two sided game). The act of collaborative leadership on the other hand, allows everyone to connect and learn in abundance. It honors our oneness and wholeness, our collective needs and desires as well as intersectional solutions to problems. Intergenerational, intercultural, and overall intersectional relationships of leadership allow many facets of Truth, world views, and different ways of thinking to emerge and co-mingle in turn creating a strong and diverse, interwoven database of leadership. Through this diversity, just as biodiversity mirrors in nature, life cycles and thrives with unique functions, purposes and expressions merging as one system.
My vision is of a self-aware, comm(unity) centered and globally responsible world that is conscious of the connective web that is all life and how they fit into the living web. This kind of balance and awareness would reflect itself in the health of all life, from the purification of water and living air to thriving human/animal wellness and the commonality of healthy relationships. More specifically, I see humans recognizing their role within ecosystems as designers, influencers and creators that do not mindlessly destroy for only “their benefit,” while this was never really the case, although a powerful illusion indeed. Humans using the sustainable principles, will be equipped with a process that allows them to truly embody their full potential as nurturers, providers, problem solvers, artists, and inventors as well as reaffirm our Earthly navigation systems of emotional and sensual intelligence. I see this world in vibrant color, smell, sound, taste and touch because of its returned alignment with nature’s magnificence that is so pleasing to us. The heartful and thoughtful curation of gardens, architecture, events and spaces of all kinds with our love of aesthetics and harmony will create even more beauty, convenience and health than we have ever experienced, while keeping with the inherent laws of Earth.
How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/host of transformative change?
My ideal authentic expression as a facilitator/host of transformative change is living through service. To me this encompasses nearly anything of the highest growth and good for humanity and the earth. Being of service to myself and to all life is rooted in listening and allowing patterns of thought, emotion and action to emerge. Assessing, intuiting, calling upon needs, useful information and action are then the next steps. Holding a space for exploration is of most importance, prompting and supporting questions that provoke deep thought, emotional responses and self-awareness while also honoring all processes, responses and comfort levels to be as inclusive and resilient as possible. I would like to hold balance in my assertion and receptivity as well as in staying on an organized schedule while also allowing what needs to be brought forth flow freely. Accepting, digesting and adjusting from feedback is also just as integral to self-aware and growth as hosting itself.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition towards a sustainable and thriving future?
Deep and nurturing connection with self, others and our environment, I believe, is the foundation of a sustainable and thriving future for our world. Competitive leadership creates the illusion of separation, unequal power structures and oppression/revolution against oppression (a two sided game). The act of collaborative leadership on the other hand, allows everyone to connect and learn in abundance. It honors our oneness and wholeness, our collective needs and desires as well as intersectional solutions to problems. Intergenerational, intercultural, and overall intersectional relationships of leadership allow many facets of Truth, world views, and different ways of thinking to emerge and co-mingle in turn creating a strong and diverse, interwoven database of leadership. Through this diversity, just as biodiversity mirrors in nature, life cycles and thrives with unique functions, purposes and expressions merging as one system.
Learning Lab: Reflections
Jakob Pasdertz:
Week one Reflections
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
The highest possible purpose I can imagine for myself is the continuous pursuit of knowledge of not only the world around me but the interpreting and teaching of it to children. I firmly believe that the greatest opportunity I have in this life to make a change for the peace love and happiness of the world is developing a connection between children and their surroundings. I grew up as a poor child who lived in an urban area and had a very dull connection with the natural world. When I was sixteen I was given an opportunity to learn about the ecosystems of an extremely biodiverse area, and teaching it to children in a summer camp setting. As a facilitator, I found a new and deeply intimate connection with the land that I had previously been lacking. This connection I believe has enabled me to ask questions of the world around me, as well as find my own limits within it. I believe that purpose is something sought rather than innate, and the finding of it is not only a mental comfort but a spiritual release. So, in conclusion, I believe there is no better purpose than to inspire and educate, a love, studenthood, and sense of connection with the world in children.
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
In the past few days, I have begun to intentionally explore permaculture. In doing so, I have determined that in my current understanding of it the essence is community. Community is one of the strongest needs we have as humans. I believe the community found in permaculture is one that is the entirety of the biotic community. Aldo Leopold once said “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.” I believe this is a quote deeply rooted in the ideology of permaculture. As mentioned I believe my life's work is to educate about the natural world. In my exploration of the teaching techniques of outdoor education, I have found myself left wanting. OE teaches about the world around one, how it functions, and how to form a community within it. But I feel as if I would greatly benefit as an instructor if I was also able to teach how to build a community within it. I think through the application of permaculture's responsible living skills I will hit the mark.
How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/host of transformative change?
Recently I took a course on Non Violent Communication.Where we learned and practiced a communication style invented by Marshall Rosenberg. Non Violent Communication teaches that the key to a healthy life, positive relationships, and genuine connection is based in a few things. The first of these is one's ability to objectively look at and assess a situation. Through this, we are able to make observations true to us. This enables us to accurately communicate our point of view. Secondly, we were taught to recognize our emotions in any given situation and tie this emotion to an observation. After that one is to decide what need of there is or is not being met, and lastly, you're supposed to make a request to satisfy the need. I believe this is a really helpful and insightful way to not only host but be hosted. Through the continued practice of Nonviolent Communication, I feel as if I will be able to grow as a host and facilitator.
The highest possible purpose I can imagine for myself is the continuous pursuit of knowledge of not only the world around me but the interpreting and teaching of it to children. I firmly believe that the greatest opportunity I have in this life to make a change for the peace love and happiness of the world is developing a connection between children and their surroundings. I grew up as a poor child who lived in an urban area and had a very dull connection with the natural world. When I was sixteen I was given an opportunity to learn about the ecosystems of an extremely biodiverse area, and teaching it to children in a summer camp setting. As a facilitator, I found a new and deeply intimate connection with the land that I had previously been lacking. This connection I believe has enabled me to ask questions of the world around me, as well as find my own limits within it. I believe that purpose is something sought rather than innate, and the finding of it is not only a mental comfort but a spiritual release. So, in conclusion, I believe there is no better purpose than to inspire and educate, a love, studenthood, and sense of connection with the world in children.
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
In the past few days, I have begun to intentionally explore permaculture. In doing so, I have determined that in my current understanding of it the essence is community. Community is one of the strongest needs we have as humans. I believe the community found in permaculture is one that is the entirety of the biotic community. Aldo Leopold once said “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.” I believe this is a quote deeply rooted in the ideology of permaculture. As mentioned I believe my life's work is to educate about the natural world. In my exploration of the teaching techniques of outdoor education, I have found myself left wanting. OE teaches about the world around one, how it functions, and how to form a community within it. But I feel as if I would greatly benefit as an instructor if I was also able to teach how to build a community within it. I think through the application of permaculture's responsible living skills I will hit the mark.
How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/host of transformative change?
Recently I took a course on Non Violent Communication.Where we learned and practiced a communication style invented by Marshall Rosenberg. Non Violent Communication teaches that the key to a healthy life, positive relationships, and genuine connection is based in a few things. The first of these is one's ability to objectively look at and assess a situation. Through this, we are able to make observations true to us. This enables us to accurately communicate our point of view. Secondly, we were taught to recognize our emotions in any given situation and tie this emotion to an observation. After that one is to decide what need of there is or is not being met, and lastly, you're supposed to make a request to satisfy the need. I believe this is a really helpful and insightful way to not only host but be hosted. Through the continued practice of Nonviolent Communication, I feel as if I will be able to grow as a host and facilitator.
Conner McElroy
Reflecting on Week One
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
When you really boil down the ideas of permaculture it is a way to live that is healthy for humans and the earth. When applied to farming, Permaculture is a more dynamic way of interacting with the land. Humans get to relax control and work in tandem with nature. Practitioners get to kick back in the sun and watch as their work is done for them. When permaculture is viewed in action, there is no getting around that it makes sense. It eliminates the need for excessive work, it is healthier for the environment and humans, and it creates a beautiful space. There is no honest reason to disagree with all that permaculture brings to the table. (Remember, this is coming from an unbiased source 😉)
I want to apply permaculture to my life by creating a permaculture garden. I want to have a backyard with lots of animal, tree, and plant friends. However, this feels rather intimidating because it means that I will have to wait until I own land. So, in the meantime I plan to incorporate permaculture into my life as a philosophy. I want to take the same ideals and ideas of lessening my negative influence on the earth and increasing my positive influence into my day-to-day life. This means shopping in different locations, shopping less, picking up trash and harvesting more of my own clay rather than buying from large mines. There are a hundred other practices I can work on too. In addition to this philosophical incorporation of permaculture into my way of life, I want to work on permaculture farms. I want to continue learning about the process and help people work towards a sustainable future.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition toward a sustainable and thriving future?
I believe that allowing people to share leadership opportunities gives them a chance to customize their experience. When people can make something their own they feel more connected to it. If we create sustainable communities and invite people to make them their own they will become excited, engaged, and active. If they were simply ordered to work on that same farm and had less connection to it, then they would not experience the same range of emotion, ownership, pride, and attachment to the cause.
Also, allowing diverse people, opinions, suggestions, and experiences into a movement brings new life and direction. With constant innovation the movement will become stronger. A good way to bring about this sort of innovation is giving people the ability to share and incorporate their ideas into the movement. In this way the sustainable movement could become a community of engaged, active people that are constantly bringing the latest and greatest designs into their plan for the future. A movement with one leader and only that leader’s ideas would not have the same motivation and ability to confront new challenges as one with many heads.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
I feel a duty to live the way that I think is best for my body, mind, and the environment. That involves eating less sugar, cooking more, reusing plastic bags, creating time for mental processing, staying off the internet, making pots, building community, growing food and a hundred other little things. So, I think that my purpose is to pursue these goals in my work and free time. I don’t exactly know what that will look like, but I have some ideas.
I think that my purpose will be fulfilled by meeting my personal goals and standards and sharing them with other people. From there, I could help them work on their goals and build a community. I’d also like to give back to my natural surroundings by working on native plant restorations and invasive plant removal. All in all, I think my purpose revolves around my goals, my community, and the natural world.
When you really boil down the ideas of permaculture it is a way to live that is healthy for humans and the earth. When applied to farming, Permaculture is a more dynamic way of interacting with the land. Humans get to relax control and work in tandem with nature. Practitioners get to kick back in the sun and watch as their work is done for them. When permaculture is viewed in action, there is no getting around that it makes sense. It eliminates the need for excessive work, it is healthier for the environment and humans, and it creates a beautiful space. There is no honest reason to disagree with all that permaculture brings to the table. (Remember, this is coming from an unbiased source 😉)
I want to apply permaculture to my life by creating a permaculture garden. I want to have a backyard with lots of animal, tree, and plant friends. However, this feels rather intimidating because it means that I will have to wait until I own land. So, in the meantime I plan to incorporate permaculture into my life as a philosophy. I want to take the same ideals and ideas of lessening my negative influence on the earth and increasing my positive influence into my day-to-day life. This means shopping in different locations, shopping less, picking up trash and harvesting more of my own clay rather than buying from large mines. There are a hundred other practices I can work on too. In addition to this philosophical incorporation of permaculture into my way of life, I want to work on permaculture farms. I want to continue learning about the process and help people work towards a sustainable future.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition toward a sustainable and thriving future?
I believe that allowing people to share leadership opportunities gives them a chance to customize their experience. When people can make something their own they feel more connected to it. If we create sustainable communities and invite people to make them their own they will become excited, engaged, and active. If they were simply ordered to work on that same farm and had less connection to it, then they would not experience the same range of emotion, ownership, pride, and attachment to the cause.
Also, allowing diverse people, opinions, suggestions, and experiences into a movement brings new life and direction. With constant innovation the movement will become stronger. A good way to bring about this sort of innovation is giving people the ability to share and incorporate their ideas into the movement. In this way the sustainable movement could become a community of engaged, active people that are constantly bringing the latest and greatest designs into their plan for the future. A movement with one leader and only that leader’s ideas would not have the same motivation and ability to confront new challenges as one with many heads.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
I feel a duty to live the way that I think is best for my body, mind, and the environment. That involves eating less sugar, cooking more, reusing plastic bags, creating time for mental processing, staying off the internet, making pots, building community, growing food and a hundred other little things. So, I think that my purpose is to pursue these goals in my work and free time. I don’t exactly know what that will look like, but I have some ideas.
I think that my purpose will be fulfilled by meeting my personal goals and standards and sharing them with other people. From there, I could help them work on their goals and build a community. I’d also like to give back to my natural surroundings by working on native plant restorations and invasive plant removal. All in all, I think my purpose revolves around my goals, my community, and the natural world.
Sara Davidson
Week One: Learning Labs Reflection
How can collaborative leadership support the transition toward a sustainable and thriving future?
Margaret Wheatley and Debbie Frieze, the authors of Leadership in the Age of Complexity: From Hero to Host, pose great insights on the idea of collaborative leadership versus hierarchical leadership. With problems more complex and substantial than ever before, Wheatley and Frieze make a dumbfoundingly convincing argument that it is going to take more than one person to try and solve the issues the world is facing today. Instead of relying on someone else to do the hard work, collaborative leadership instills a passion in people to help their community and make a difference. On the other hand, hierarchical leadership leaves people feeling powerless and helpless. Not only is it important for a country to establish a collaborative leadership system to take control of the daunting fate of our planet, it is important that collaborative leadership is adopted on a global scale. David Suzuki encourages the human race in his speech at PERTH, to take down the imaginary boundaries countries have put up between each other and start working together as a global community. A single person’s ability to problem solve is without a doubt impressive, but imagine what mankind could accomplish as a whole if they put their minds together to conquer the fate of our planet. Moreover, imagine what mankind could accomplish if countries across the globe started working together. At the rate at which the human race is spiraling out of control, collaborative leadership is necessary in order for more people to agree to work together and get involved.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
Going along with the idea of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share, I imagine a world where there is no such thing as a first world country and a third world country, but a world where everyone and everything has a fair share. Mahatma Gandi once said the “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.” A world with no greed would be a world with no over-consumption. I envision a world shaped by the Sustainable Principles that values joy given by relationships over temporary happiness that is given by materialism. While observing the symptoms of the unhealthy planet we live in today, I can say with certainty that there is a lack of pure joy due to the fact that we have stripped the surface of the Earth trying to pursue happiness. I envision a world where people realize that joy cannot be attained through material objects. If everyone on the planet had this epiphany, humanity would be on the road towards evolving into a sustainable and thriving species.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
With the knowledge that I gained in just this week of taking Permaculture, I have affirmed my beliefs on just how important valuing relationships over material goods is for the human soul to attain pure joy. David Suzuki expressed in his speech how different our world would be if we had those values. Therefore, I want my purpose in life to be influencing others to view a person as more rich with the greater integrity they have than the amount of money and goods they have. The popular kids in school will no longer be the ones who have all the coolest clothes and gadgets, but the biggest hearts. The employees at work who get promoted will no longer be the most privileged people, but the people who have worked the hardest for their passions. The leaders of countries will no longer be the multi-millionaire CEO’s of big companies promoting consumerism and materialism, but the most civil and humane of people. My greatest purpose in life is to motivate others towards a future like this.
Margaret Wheatley and Debbie Frieze, the authors of Leadership in the Age of Complexity: From Hero to Host, pose great insights on the idea of collaborative leadership versus hierarchical leadership. With problems more complex and substantial than ever before, Wheatley and Frieze make a dumbfoundingly convincing argument that it is going to take more than one person to try and solve the issues the world is facing today. Instead of relying on someone else to do the hard work, collaborative leadership instills a passion in people to help their community and make a difference. On the other hand, hierarchical leadership leaves people feeling powerless and helpless. Not only is it important for a country to establish a collaborative leadership system to take control of the daunting fate of our planet, it is important that collaborative leadership is adopted on a global scale. David Suzuki encourages the human race in his speech at PERTH, to take down the imaginary boundaries countries have put up between each other and start working together as a global community. A single person’s ability to problem solve is without a doubt impressive, but imagine what mankind could accomplish as a whole if they put their minds together to conquer the fate of our planet. Moreover, imagine what mankind could accomplish if countries across the globe started working together. At the rate at which the human race is spiraling out of control, collaborative leadership is necessary in order for more people to agree to work together and get involved.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
Going along with the idea of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share, I imagine a world where there is no such thing as a first world country and a third world country, but a world where everyone and everything has a fair share. Mahatma Gandi once said the “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.” A world with no greed would be a world with no over-consumption. I envision a world shaped by the Sustainable Principles that values joy given by relationships over temporary happiness that is given by materialism. While observing the symptoms of the unhealthy planet we live in today, I can say with certainty that there is a lack of pure joy due to the fact that we have stripped the surface of the Earth trying to pursue happiness. I envision a world where people realize that joy cannot be attained through material objects. If everyone on the planet had this epiphany, humanity would be on the road towards evolving into a sustainable and thriving species.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
With the knowledge that I gained in just this week of taking Permaculture, I have affirmed my beliefs on just how important valuing relationships over material goods is for the human soul to attain pure joy. David Suzuki expressed in his speech how different our world would be if we had those values. Therefore, I want my purpose in life to be influencing others to view a person as more rich with the greater integrity they have than the amount of money and goods they have. The popular kids in school will no longer be the ones who have all the coolest clothes and gadgets, but the biggest hearts. The employees at work who get promoted will no longer be the most privileged people, but the people who have worked the hardest for their passions. The leaders of countries will no longer be the multi-millionaire CEO’s of big companies promoting consumerism and materialism, but the most civil and humane of people. My greatest purpose in life is to motivate others towards a future like this.
Reflection #1 - Michelle Ouellette
Three key learnings from week one-
Learning Lab Reflections- Deanna Mazzella
What are your three key learning’s from week one?
1. “Theories are just lenses for looking at the world”- Frances Westley
This was mentioned in the context of social innovation through scaling. I enjoyed the idea of scaling because it is about making an innovation work or grow through what seemed to me like connections. I appreciated the example of how on an individual level that could look like a change in heart, which turns toward a change in habits and then a change of ambition. It talks about how this is a way into changing basic routines, resources, and authority flows.
2. Permaculture is a metric to define sustainability
I appreciate this idea of changing the way we measure importance and what is actually important. I see this as looking at how do you measure success? What is success to you? And what are the deepest desires of your heart? I think when we reflect on this, we see our values and the kind of people we are as individuals. We can’t change people, people have to change themselves and opening up these questions might encourage that change.
3. Permaculture is a way to reframe the world
This to me relates to how permaculture is a metric to define sustainability because we are trying to change the way we think and do things. Instead of looking at problems as an end and being discouraged, we look toward them as opportunities. And one of the best ways to do that is a practice of permaculture where you are still and observe. I have found that observation changes the way we see things. If we look at something for 5 minutes we might see 100 things versus the 10 things we saw about it in the first 30 seconds.
What is the essence of permaculture and how would you like to apply it to your life?
I had never actually known before that permaculture was permanent agriculture or permanent culture. The idea of creating a system that can last for many generations is a great thing to think about. When we learn about climate change, I think it is important for people to realize that what is happening is happening now. The change we’ve made to the planet is affecting our children, and our children’s children and so on. Kids deal with asthma and immune deficiencies, we see health warnings on the news about diseases spread by mosquitoes such as the Zika virus with temperatures rising, and we have an increase in illnesses such as cancer. Lets set a better picture for the future. Lets not point fingers. Lets do what we can to the best of our abilities.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
Considering the previous questions I’ve answered, I think a measurable goal would be a great way to vision utilizing sustainable principles in the world. What I mean by this is that with social innovations, we want to see changes in routines, resources and authority flows. What are specific things we want to see? The word profound is used but that is subjective. Recycling could be profound to someone while absolutely zero waste could be someone else’s level of profound. I think I see our world moving toward the change we want to see already. I don’t think rapid change is realistic because we are all on different levels. But we see ideas that are spreading and people opening up to this. And we have the opportunities more than ever because of things like social media. As mentioned before, theories are ways of changing the way you see the world, or these ideas that are spreading to people and becoming known. If a theory can change your heart, it can change your habits and then your ambition. If some people make one small change in their life, such as bringing reusable bags to the store as often as they can remember, I think that is working toward my vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles.
1. “Theories are just lenses for looking at the world”- Frances Westley
This was mentioned in the context of social innovation through scaling. I enjoyed the idea of scaling because it is about making an innovation work or grow through what seemed to me like connections. I appreciated the example of how on an individual level that could look like a change in heart, which turns toward a change in habits and then a change of ambition. It talks about how this is a way into changing basic routines, resources, and authority flows.
2. Permaculture is a metric to define sustainability
I appreciate this idea of changing the way we measure importance and what is actually important. I see this as looking at how do you measure success? What is success to you? And what are the deepest desires of your heart? I think when we reflect on this, we see our values and the kind of people we are as individuals. We can’t change people, people have to change themselves and opening up these questions might encourage that change.
3. Permaculture is a way to reframe the world
This to me relates to how permaculture is a metric to define sustainability because we are trying to change the way we think and do things. Instead of looking at problems as an end and being discouraged, we look toward them as opportunities. And one of the best ways to do that is a practice of permaculture where you are still and observe. I have found that observation changes the way we see things. If we look at something for 5 minutes we might see 100 things versus the 10 things we saw about it in the first 30 seconds.
What is the essence of permaculture and how would you like to apply it to your life?
I had never actually known before that permaculture was permanent agriculture or permanent culture. The idea of creating a system that can last for many generations is a great thing to think about. When we learn about climate change, I think it is important for people to realize that what is happening is happening now. The change we’ve made to the planet is affecting our children, and our children’s children and so on. Kids deal with asthma and immune deficiencies, we see health warnings on the news about diseases spread by mosquitoes such as the Zika virus with temperatures rising, and we have an increase in illnesses such as cancer. Lets set a better picture for the future. Lets not point fingers. Lets do what we can to the best of our abilities.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
Considering the previous questions I’ve answered, I think a measurable goal would be a great way to vision utilizing sustainable principles in the world. What I mean by this is that with social innovations, we want to see changes in routines, resources and authority flows. What are specific things we want to see? The word profound is used but that is subjective. Recycling could be profound to someone while absolutely zero waste could be someone else’s level of profound. I think I see our world moving toward the change we want to see already. I don’t think rapid change is realistic because we are all on different levels. But we see ideas that are spreading and people opening up to this. And we have the opportunities more than ever because of things like social media. As mentioned before, theories are ways of changing the way you see the world, or these ideas that are spreading to people and becoming known. If a theory can change your heart, it can change your habits and then your ambition. If some people make one small change in their life, such as bringing reusable bags to the store as often as they can remember, I think that is working toward my vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles.
Reflection Questions- Lara Mehra
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
The essence of permaculture is the development of something, mostly agricultural that has a sustainable and self-sufficient ecosystem. I have nothing set in stone for my future although I do have ideas and options. First and foremost I would like to learn about new and interesting things that is not extremely well known or thought about back home in Lebanon. Being at Prescott College has allowed for this opportunity to occur. I have had a little bit of experience in Permaculture, mostly observing what it is and how it works. I would like to further my knowledge and experience in this field so that I may apply it back home in Lebanon or at least share all that I have learned. I would like permaculture to become more well known in Lebanon so that it may be applied to all over and this will create better living conditions for people all over and enhance the countries well-being in the natural aspect. Furthermore people will have a better understanding of working with the land and it will increase the time spent outdoors.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
By utilizing the sustainable principles my vision for the world is that it would be a much better and cleaner place to live in. Sustainable living only uses natural materials that the earth has to offer so less harmful energy processing is demanded in order to make things function, no carbon emissions. What is taken from the earth will also be given back to it; it is all a continuous cycle and in sparing use. Agricultural production won’t be like the major corporate organizations that disrupt our ecosystem but instead we will use a smaller ecological footprint but produce a lot more in a sustainable and ecologically sound way. Sustainable living will lead to a better life for the human race.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
The highest possible purpose I can imagine is to live ecologically sound by practicing permaculture and sustainable living. I cannot say exactly what I will be able to fulfill at the moment because I still have yet a lot to learn. But whatever I learn, whether it be farming/gardening, structure design etc. I would like to put what I learn into action when I go back home to Lebanon or where ever I plan to continue or start up my life. Other than having this knowledge for myself I plan to introduce it to people I know and meet. I want to be able to live my life as sustainably as possible.
The essence of permaculture is the development of something, mostly agricultural that has a sustainable and self-sufficient ecosystem. I have nothing set in stone for my future although I do have ideas and options. First and foremost I would like to learn about new and interesting things that is not extremely well known or thought about back home in Lebanon. Being at Prescott College has allowed for this opportunity to occur. I have had a little bit of experience in Permaculture, mostly observing what it is and how it works. I would like to further my knowledge and experience in this field so that I may apply it back home in Lebanon or at least share all that I have learned. I would like permaculture to become more well known in Lebanon so that it may be applied to all over and this will create better living conditions for people all over and enhance the countries well-being in the natural aspect. Furthermore people will have a better understanding of working with the land and it will increase the time spent outdoors.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
By utilizing the sustainable principles my vision for the world is that it would be a much better and cleaner place to live in. Sustainable living only uses natural materials that the earth has to offer so less harmful energy processing is demanded in order to make things function, no carbon emissions. What is taken from the earth will also be given back to it; it is all a continuous cycle and in sparing use. Agricultural production won’t be like the major corporate organizations that disrupt our ecosystem but instead we will use a smaller ecological footprint but produce a lot more in a sustainable and ecologically sound way. Sustainable living will lead to a better life for the human race.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
The highest possible purpose I can imagine is to live ecologically sound by practicing permaculture and sustainable living. I cannot say exactly what I will be able to fulfill at the moment because I still have yet a lot to learn. But whatever I learn, whether it be farming/gardening, structure design etc. I would like to put what I learn into action when I go back home to Lebanon or where ever I plan to continue or start up my life. Other than having this knowledge for myself I plan to introduce it to people I know and meet. I want to be able to live my life as sustainably as possible.
Anya Wallin - Week 1 - Reflection
Essence of Permaculture - Authentic Hosting - My highest purpose
The essence of permaculture is in the word itself. The essence of this worldview called permaculture is working with the earth to create Permanent culture, including but not limited to agriculture. Permanent culture means culture that is self-sustaining. It means valuing all life as interconnected, valuable, and deserving of a future. This system of thinking recognizes earth as a part of a huge cosmic community and regards humans as a part of the huge biological community that is earth. There is an emphasis on humans integrating in a harmonious way, into the biological system, nature, that we are inherently a part of. This system places an emphasis on humans as co-creators with the natural systems around us. In permaculture we design with the earth, not on top of her or in spite of her. We create culture that is beneficial to the earth as well as to ourselves, so that we can all live in harmony, permanently. There is an emphasis on how everything is interconnected in a giant web that can either be full of symbiotic relationships or of parasitic ones. Permaculture helps us cultivate the symbiotic relationships by taking a mindful whole system approach.
In my own life permaculture has greatly shaped what I view as my own life’s work. The first time I saw a permaculture community, my life was changed completely. I didn’t believe humans could live in such a beautiful and harmonious way with their surroundings till I visited Hava V’ Adam eco-educational farm in Israel. Never had I seen a place where people, plant life, and beauty thrived in such a creative and intertwined way. I became dedicated in the following years to immersing myself in these kinds of communities, understanding intimately how they function, and finding my role within them. Ultimately I believe living in permaculture-based community is a way of life and a solution to all of societies current problems. This belief is at the foundation of my life’s work. Ultimately I want to live in this way and actively invite everyone else to do the same. I feel equipped with the tools to create this dream or engage with it, when the time comes. Some of these tools include basic design knowledge, gardening experience, community living experience, and knowledge of how to turn yields into healthy food and medicine. This is a tool-box I want to deepen and add to. Right now the specific tool that feels like I need to focus on it the most, is the piece of being an authentic host or facilitator of change.
It feels right now in my life, that my highest purpose is to be a host of Red Tent spaces, or woman’s circles. I am beyond stoked about all of us shifting into a permaculture lifestyle. It feels like that is taking place on many levels for many people. The aspect of that I personally, as a woman, want to focus on most, right now in my life, is empowering other woman to be leaders, or simply empowered community members, of these types of sustainable communities, and all other communities they are a part of. For this reason stepping into myself as an authentic host of change feels like a huge lesson for me right now. In a lot of ways I feel I know how to do this. It feels ancient, like a role that woman have been in forever.I have seen so many other woman (and other humans) in my life do it so beautifully and I have done it myself, and it has felt, while terrifying, also very natural. Some areas I want to continue developing as a host are how to host without feeling dominant, how to trust myself to step into the role of host, how to move a circle between spiritual, social, and educational realms, and how to engage the whole circle in a meaningful and transformative way. I am excited to develop that skill-set in this class as well as honing in my design skills and refreshing my knowledge of permaculture and my fire for systemic change.
The reason why woman’s circles, and community circles in general, feel like such a huge piece of systemic change for me is because I have found them so personally transformative and empowering. I certainly believe permaculture works best in community and that community works best when it is shaped like a circle. So much power has been taken away from the feminine so it feels like a personal/spiritual mission to use this powerful circle tool to give a lot of that power back. For this reason I feel especially called to create all women-circle spaces. That said, power has been taken from all of us, and any circle where everyone is seen and heard is a platform for transformation. With empowered circles of people, preferably lead by empowered woman working along with other sensitive devoted beings, permaculture based communities can function to their highest potential. Right now my highest purpose feels like it is to be in the roll of helping all the beautiful people in my community become more empowered members of circles, in order to ready us to create and join all the sustainable permaculture communities we can imagine, design, visit, and become.
Note - I do not see gender as binary. I know it is complex. When I say woman that is left up for personal interpretation and not meant as an exclusive term.
Reflections: Week One Learning Labs
Jackson Sims-Myers
What is the essence of permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
Permaculture breaks down into a variety of incredibly simple philosophies and actions that help guide people through their lives by being environmentally, socially, and economically conscious. Beyond that, permaculture seeks to find ways to do less work, leave less impact, and still reap a reward in a sustainable manner. It’s not a do all or nothing kind of ideology, but rather a framework for healthier, happier, and more sustainable living. I’m finding that permaculture gives me a larger toolbox of skills that can, and hopefully will, seep into many layers of my life. Whether that is with my home, my food, my intrapersonal experiences, or my interpersonal relationships, permaculture’s ways of being towards other and the world, as well as the deeply rooted focus on equity for all living things, permaculture can help me be an increasingly selfless and intentional individual, while also allowing me to be a productive and valuable slice of the interconnected web of existence of which we are all a part.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition toward a sustainable and thriving future?
If one of the main ideas behind permaculture is “people care, earth care, and fair share,” then the action of collaborative leadership makes a whole lot of sense when we are talking about transitioning toward a brighter future together. Supposing that in their collaborative efforts people can interact more freely and openly with each other, their diversified experience can make room for different perceptions, beliefs, and ideas to be explored, challenged, and created. We get exposure to an entirely different world of thought when we work with people who are different than us, and through that exposure we see our individuality as well as our similarities. Interpersonal connections deepen when we have a greater bandwidth to think about others and their experience, not just our own. When we have a deeper connection with others and can work together to find solutions that not only benefit everyone now, but also set in motion a culture that continuously advances towards a collaborative and sustainable future, generations upon generations of living organisms will thrive permanently.
How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/host of transformative change?
Personally, I find myself very comfortable facilitating groups from a more directive position alongside one or two others where we can help move along a process from that position. Collaborative leadership in my life has consistently centered around service to a larger group of people. In my communities, leaders generally abide by the covenant/social contract written by the community, and then try to make informed and positive contributions when facilitating group activities, discussions, meditations, and worship ceremonies. This form of leadership revolves around teaching about specific topics in an already developed community and may not be as effective for a collaborative effort to create new policies, new communities, new lifestyles, etc. The difference for me has already felt uncomfortable, but being in th Groan Zone is helping me grow as an active follower as well as changing my perception about leadership and it’s many variations and uses.
Permaculture breaks down into a variety of incredibly simple philosophies and actions that help guide people through their lives by being environmentally, socially, and economically conscious. Beyond that, permaculture seeks to find ways to do less work, leave less impact, and still reap a reward in a sustainable manner. It’s not a do all or nothing kind of ideology, but rather a framework for healthier, happier, and more sustainable living. I’m finding that permaculture gives me a larger toolbox of skills that can, and hopefully will, seep into many layers of my life. Whether that is with my home, my food, my intrapersonal experiences, or my interpersonal relationships, permaculture’s ways of being towards other and the world, as well as the deeply rooted focus on equity for all living things, permaculture can help me be an increasingly selfless and intentional individual, while also allowing me to be a productive and valuable slice of the interconnected web of existence of which we are all a part.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition toward a sustainable and thriving future?
If one of the main ideas behind permaculture is “people care, earth care, and fair share,” then the action of collaborative leadership makes a whole lot of sense when we are talking about transitioning toward a brighter future together. Supposing that in their collaborative efforts people can interact more freely and openly with each other, their diversified experience can make room for different perceptions, beliefs, and ideas to be explored, challenged, and created. We get exposure to an entirely different world of thought when we work with people who are different than us, and through that exposure we see our individuality as well as our similarities. Interpersonal connections deepen when we have a greater bandwidth to think about others and their experience, not just our own. When we have a deeper connection with others and can work together to find solutions that not only benefit everyone now, but also set in motion a culture that continuously advances towards a collaborative and sustainable future, generations upon generations of living organisms will thrive permanently.
How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/host of transformative change?
Personally, I find myself very comfortable facilitating groups from a more directive position alongside one or two others where we can help move along a process from that position. Collaborative leadership in my life has consistently centered around service to a larger group of people. In my communities, leaders generally abide by the covenant/social contract written by the community, and then try to make informed and positive contributions when facilitating group activities, discussions, meditations, and worship ceremonies. This form of leadership revolves around teaching about specific topics in an already developed community and may not be as effective for a collaborative effort to create new policies, new communities, new lifestyles, etc. The difference for me has already felt uncomfortable, but being in th Groan Zone is helping me grow as an active follower as well as changing my perception about leadership and it’s many variations and uses.
Week One Reflection Questions By Lily Caster
What are your three key learning’s from week one?
- I learned that Permaculture is not just a template to help develop your garden. Permaculture is a way of life, a philosophy, a community, a way to live in harmony with our planet and create symbiotic relationships between all living and nonliving entities. I learned that this process consists of many components organized into the three large categories of: earth care, people care, and fair share. Through a diversity and balance of these three elements, as well as the integration and application of many other principles such as: using renewable energy sources, incorporating detailed design based on biomimicry, collaborating with others, developing at a slow manageable rate, and working with the natural land, one can begin to live sustainably and fully.
- I learned that permaculture can be applied to any lifestyle and is not restricted to open space on untouched land. We do not have to devolve to practice permaculture. Even those who live in cities or highly populated areas can incorporate aspects of permaculture into their lives. Permaculture likes to focus on the opportunities rather than the obstacles, and in this way helps develop a way to empower ourselves and the earth at the same time.
- I also learned the permaculture acts as a sort of web that can connect people from around the world. Although individual efforts may be localized and not extravagant, the ideas, thoughts, methods, principles and techniques can be shared and spread world wide. This raises our global level of social/cultural understanding and could greatly decrease conflict and tension between foreign lands and people. Permaculture is a tool of communication that is universal no matter what your native language is.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
I believe that through methods of permaculture, our dysfunctional, but high potential population can begin to see eye to eye and work together. By living sustainably, we can interact with our earth as a process that we are part of, rather than a rock we live on. I hope to see the majority of our society coexisting with our natural world rather than working against it and ignoring the limits of its carrying capacity. I want society to realize that our home exists beyond the four cement walls that we spend so much time in; our home is the planet earth and we are meant to live in unison with it and thrive as one. We have all the tools to live sustainably, it is just a matter of committing ourselves to it. I believe that permaculture provides the guidelines and instructions to help us properly use these tools and extend our future in this world rather than shorten it.
How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/host of transformative change?
In order to effectively facilitate/host transformative change in this world, I would like to express myself with passion, honesty, an open-mind, and strong work ethic. I want to help cultivate enthusiasm to practice living sustainably, and provide an example for others to see that anyone can practice these principles, and that through small, simple efforts an impressive change can take place. I like to think of permaculture in regards of the “butterfly effect”, meaning that a multitude of small adjustments (or beats of a butterfly's wings) can change the condition and health of our planet (or cause a tsunami across the globe).