#FieldNotes009: Permaculture in a World at Its End
Why regenerative design matters when the world is burning
“ Remember death abundantly, for if your life is easy it will make it hard, while if your life is hard it will make it easy.”
- 'Umar ibn ‘Abd al-’Aziz
The world is burning.
Only the truly heedless aren't thinking of death. Many of us saw that photograph of a young man’s hand reaching through the flames that were burning his makeshift home.
I often ask myself, what's the point? People more powerful than I ever will be are murdering the weak and the powerless before our eyes. Then I hear the voice of God’s Beloved, as if speaking to us, in this moment, “Even if the end of days is upon you and you have a sapling in your hand, plant it.” Could this be our ground for sacred action? Perhaps, our response is not indifference but rather caring for and sanctifying the life of the living web all around us?
At any given time, the world may end with the pressing of a button. But to the bewilderment of the heedless, the lover of God continues to work, not for the sake of an outcome, but for the work itself. As Dorothy Sayers writes, “The end of the work will be decided by our religious outlook: as we are so we make.” As the mighty Gazan perseveres and continue to love, we too must follow their example.
The practice of permaculture and regenerative design bears two assumptions, which I will forever assert: that the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve are Good, and that they can beautifully participate and contribute to the web of life.
For our world to heal, I believe we must assert these two axioms. This is more than a matter of belief, but rather an underlying principle. I refuse to accept that the actions of maleficent tyrants are what make man. Rather, it is the father and daughter singing the praises of God’s Beloved, the friends laughing in the playground, and the shepherd graciously tending to his sheep—these are the truly accomplished human beings, fully embracing the web of life.
This is why I've decided to continue to offer an Introduction to Permaculture and Regenerative Design. Little by little, we can share insights and skills needed to build a better world, not for the sake of the world, but for the sake of ourselves. To reveal to ourselves that we can truly be good and honest human beings.
Wherever you are, you are welcome to join. I look forward to working with you.