permaculture life design

by karl steyaert

autobiography

Holding Actions

Alternative Structures

Shift in Consciousness

3 Dimensions of the Great Turning

from Joanna Macy

LESSER E F F E C T I V E N E S S

12. Constants, parameters, numbers.

11. The sizes of buffers & other stabilizing stocks. 10. The structure of material stocks and flows. 9. The length of delays.

EASIER

8. Regulating negative feedback loops.

7. Driving positive feedback loops. 6. Information flows. 5. The rules of the system. 4. The power to add, change, evolve, or selforganize system structure. 3. The goals of the system. 2. The paradigm out of which the system arises. GREATER 1. The power to transcend paradigms. HARDER

C H A N G A B I L I T Y

Places to Intervene in a System

from Donella Meadows

VISIBLE V I S I B I L I T Y INVISIBLE

Surface Values observable activities, events, behaviors, objects, numbers, statements, rituals. Hidden Values (conscious or unconscious, stated or implicit) ideas, beliefs, attitudes, norms, unwritten rules. Deep Values worldviews, value systems, thinking systems, paradigms.

EASIER

HARDER

C H A N G A B I L I T Y

Three Levels of Values

eco-anarchist activist community builder consciousness catalyst

ecological footprint

personal development

finances

contribution & livelihood

friends & family

community & environment

relationship & intimacy

creativity & play

health & fitness

footprintnetwork.org inpowr.com

myfootprint.org

realage.com

authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu
bluezones.com

urgent
Q1 crises, emergencies, deadline-driven projects Q2

not urgent

important

planning, exercise, quality social time, true re-creation

Q3

Q4

not important

interruptions, some phone calls, some meetings, some email.

junk mail, spam, busywork, trivia, escape activities, mindless web surfing, etc.

time management matrix

from Stephen Covey

permaculture principles
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Observe & interact Catch & store energy Obtain a yield Apply self-regulation & accept feedback Use & value renewable resources & services Produce no waste Design from patterns to details Integrate rather than segregate Use small & slow solutions

10. Use & value diversity 11. Use edges & value the marginal 12. Creatively use & respond to change

permaculture principles
Cultivate mindfulness Reflect on & record learning Follow your bliss Set intentions Give & receive from the heart See challenges as gifts Clarify mission & purpose Integrate mind, body, & spirit Be the change Welcome diverse perspectives Invite opposition & conflict Cultivate conscious evolution Practice empathy & self-empathy Celebrate & mourn Allow for rest & play Cultivate interdependence Collaborate Support conscious & shared leadership Honor autonomy & choice Explore uncertainty, psychological edges & marginalized roles

personal development
pretty happy slowing & simplifying life learning a lot regular meditation Nonviolent Communication, shadow work empathy buddies, life coach want more inner peace and joy limiting beliefs: Im not good enough, I should be working harder, etc. computer use

contribution & livelihood love my work: teaching, community building, conflict resolution, counseling work in service to the world following my dreams overwhelm generally working alone most work on computer or phone taking on too many projects not enough integration time

community & environment

nurturing shared home walk- and bike-able town global travel

some alienation from community and nature nomadism living in the city

health & fitness overall very good health regular exercise: yoga, running, bicycling, hiking, walking, strength training

some chronic injuries relatively out of shape inconsistency in exercise compulsive eating

creativity & play

some creative work projects regular interplay classes

lacking full creative expression no ongoing group creative practices

relationship & intimacy

intense periods of love & learning open communication emotional intimacy

not in long-term partnership limiting beliefs regarding intimacy

friends & family

numerous friendships worldwide honest communication emotional intimacy

want more consistent ongoing companionship isolation pattern when vulnerable

finances stable finances doing work I love and find meaningful

want more long-term stability

ecological footprint ecological footprint U.S. average voluntary simplicity, low consumption walk and bicycle shared home

if all lived this way wed need 3 Earths (due to national infrastructure) air travel buying some processed and packaged food

vision

life purpose to open to the flow of life expressing itself through me, holding the intention to support peace, justice, sustainability, & evolution of consciousness in the world

personal development radiantly alive and deeply connected to spirit daily spiritual practice: meditation, etc.

contribution & livelihood

passionate life purpose global dialogue project & one earth circus teaching living learning community building conflict transformation & restorative justice

community & environment stable home in a sustainable community close to nature permaculture food forest and garden passive solar design & local renewable energy

health & fitness radiant health and well-being daily exercise: yoga, aikido, running, bicycling, climbing, dance, tai chi daily time in nature natural vegan diet

creativity & play daily creativity: art, fiction writing, music, dance, theater, interplay, singing

relationship & intimacy committed long-term partnership

friends & family consistent companionship of longterm friends who nourish &inspire loving, authentic, & supportive connection with my family professional collaboration with friends

finances

steady flow of resource exchange to comfortably support family and myself

ecological footprint living in a sustainable community local economic self-reliance zero energy input green home energy efficiency, insulation, passive solar design, clean renewable energy food grown locally in permaculture food forests and gardens closed loop production and recycling for all products non-toxic, highly durable, reusable products mixed use zoning

goals & actions

personal development

daily meditation journaling: celebration, selfappreciation, shadow work regular group spiritual practice
2009: month-long silent meditation retreat

contribution & livelihood collaborate with individuals and/or organizations focus on one or two long-term projects 2009: begin global pilgrimage begin global dialogue project & one earth circus research locations for ecovillage and school research and apply for PhD

community & environment put down roots, live in or near nature 2009: research and select site for long-term home community

health & fitness daily vigorous group exercise: aikido, yoga, running light local natural food weekly 1 day fast

creativity & play

regular group creative expression: dance, music, interplay, art, writing

relationship & intimacy transform limiting beliefs regarding relationship hold intention for long-term partnership

friends & family regular group social activities regular rhythm of gatherings with friends to share food, play, music, dance regular conversations & visits with family

finances follow my passions do work I love & that serves the world

ecological footprint live in a sustainable community limit air travel get all my food from my garden, community farm, farmers market

thank you