permaculture

[George Monacelli <bungo_bean@yahoo.com>]

Is Permaculture science or spirituality? Thought now split, science and 
spirituality were once one and the same. We observed the natural world and 
survived by adaptation to its governing laws. Its lessons and practical 
knowledge were passed down through stories and images so that they would 
become second nature to us. Its unfortunate that the practical knowledge 
behind the stories and images is mostly lost to us now, as we now view the 
trappings and accoutrements as ends unto themselves. 
   
  I think it fitting that the interdisciplinary nature of Permaculture spans 
the gap between science and spirituality. It is neither and both as (I think) 
it should be. I discovered Permaculture through an ostensibly “New Age” 
community in Eastern Washington in the 1980’s. I got to know Simon Henderson 
who was a part of that community at the time, and am very glad for it (bless 
his wild and restless soul!). Despite the trappings and accoutrements of New 
Age and interpreted-for-white-people Native American spirituality, it has 
been the tenets of Permaculture that have stayed with me over the years…
   
  We live in a closed system and have (the last couple thousand years 
notwithstanding) survived through cooperation with all our relations great 
and small. All have their own place and value, and only ignorance judges 
other by its own criterion. We come to terms with our own mortality, and if 
we are exceptionally lucky, someone or something will be helped by our deeds 
and remember us favorably. 
   
  I believe that for us small individuals there is no single defining event. 
Peak Oil, Earth Changes, and Apocalypse all occur one day at a time. Each day 
we work to create the future. I believe that those on this list who are 
considering this topic are probably on the right track and that despite 
interpersonal differences, we have to remember that we are all working 
towards the same end… survival. Is that spiritual or scientific?
   
   

 
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