This is a reflection on the parallels between two of my favourite philosophies and practices
Process work and Permaculture
The parallels and heart of these two radical sensible philosophies mean they are a perfect match for relational farming. I believe at the heart of them is community, cultural transformation and a wish for world peace.
Pattern awareness and systems thinking are valued by Permaculture and Process work and I suppose that is behind the observation of the parallels.
Some parallels are:
The focus on observation
Solutions from challenges/problems as resources
Minimal energy output
Self resilience and sustainability
Following nature
I find the skillsets are complementary, actually more so enhance and deepen each other. Process Work is a modality of ecological thinking intended for the individual and collective psyche. As I lean more into using awareness and inner work to know my farm, gain information and address challenges, the more I believe that our innate human capacities for perception, empathy, imagination and relationship are way under utilised, and marginalised, even unrecognised and that Process Work skills can help us access these capacities in the service of land and Permaculture. Also I have learnt that real practical results for the farm can come from engaging our inner world in service of our relationship with land.
This also relates to the issues of farmer burn out (mining our own physical resources), not to mention land burn out and distress. The well being of both mirror each other.
I’d love to explore more with others about all this - about relationship, responsible leadership and the incredible perceptual and empathetic capacities of humans as part of a natural system.
Process work also in its practice empowers self resilience of the psyche. It also encourages autonomy from the hierarchical approaches to psychology and therefore a higher chance of sustainable mental and spiritual health.
Here are quotes from the writing of David Holmgren, mostly from ‘The Essence of Permaculture’ that are compelling in their own right but particularly for me through the lens of my reflection. This article really deepened my reflection. I’m astonished these quotes could be speaking nearly simultaneously about Process work. :
“This principle deals with self-regulatory aspects of permaculture design that limit or discourage inappropriate growth or behaviour. With better understanding of how positive and negative feedbacks work in nature, we can design systems that are more self-regulating, thus reducing the work involved in repeated and harsh corrective management.”
Positive and negative feedback is also process work terminology for noticing natural energy responses . The purpose of which is to determine direction and notice limits in a healing session, thus is self regulating.
“In systems language these rewards are called ‘positive feedback loops’ that amplify the original process or signal.”
The basis of the healing method in Process Work is expressed in the same language - ‘Watch for feedback and amplify the signal of the emerging process’.
“The reality is humanity faces predicaments for which there are no “solutions”, only adaptive responses that can reduce the severity of consequences. If transformative solutions exist, I believe they mostly lie internally in our hearts and minds rather than further iterations of material and energetic complexity.”
In Process Work challenges or problems are messages from nature, bringing our attention to imbalance or one sidedness.
“Eastern spiritual traditions and martial arts regard peripheral vision as a critical sense that connects us to the world quite differently to focused vision. Whatever is the object of our attention, we need to remember that it is at the edge of anything - system or medium, that the most interesting events take place; design that sees edge as an opportunity rather than a problem is more likely to be successful and adaptable. In the process, we discard the negative connotations associated with the word “marginal” in order to see the value in elements that only peripherally contribute to a function or system.”
Process Work intentionally relaxes focused vision and also uses the term ‘edge’ to indicate the realm of the psyche where transformative events take place. The edge is the fertile ground of change and healing in a psychological sense. It is the place where marginalised aspects of the psyche emerge and tension arises between the everyday identity and known way and the lesser known aspects of the self, including what elements are being blocked from contributing to the system and allowing a more whole experience, with improved diversity and the relief of allowing the intelligence of nature to assist.
“This principle works from the premise that the value and contribution of edges, and the marginal and invisible aspects of any system should not only be recognised and conserved, but that expansion of these aspects can increase system productivity and stability. For example, increasing the edge between field and pond can increase the productivity of both. Alley farming and shelterbelt forestry can be seen as systems where increasing edge between field and forest has contributed to productivity.”
It feels to me like these two philosophies are like field and pond and that increasing the edge of contact between them, although expressed in the world for different purposes can benefit each other, especially for considering the human psyche as something of beauty and significance in the face of how destructive we can be.
“The proverb ‘don’t think you are on the right track just because it is a well-beaten path’ reminds us that the most common, obvious and popular is not necessarily the most significant or influential.”
These are Bill Mollisson’s words from YouTube: “When you design well nature takes hold of what you’ve done and does it better. What you gotta do is watch the system and guide. Permaculture is an attempt to build a good place to live.”
This is the basis of Process Work. When I am doing a good job as a practitioner I guide enough to let nature do the sophisticated work and bring the process and my job is observation, awareness, humbleness and trust.
It makes me think how we are a more harmonious part of the system when we treat ourselves like this. Our own inner world, our psyche, the healing of community conflict follow the same principles. A good place to live within ourselves and in our physical landscape, aligned with our purpose, allowed to be with our inherent creative expression takes less energy in all aspects!
The point of this reflection is, besides my interest and inspiration, is my wish to share something that could serve the earth- human connection and well being.
