I started by brain storming and researching how Indigenous people lived. How they connected to the earth and the universal energies. What worked for them and how they connected to each other and the earth. The following areas appeared to be the ones to work on: Rituals celebration of the earth's cycles Living in nature connection through the senses Support groups involving all age groups Include a self help technique like TFT to assist self empowerment Honesty stating how you feel Communication through art, music stimulation of the senses Respect for others and the earth
I also researched places like Findhorn, how they worked the spiritual connection in their every day lives in a sustainable way. What other areas they covered. Education Spiritual connection to the earth and self Respect for the earth and others and self Producing their own food Support groups Sustainable eco housing and living Talking through problems finding coping methods Making the community work on sharing responsibility
Mind Mapping Ways to incorporate earth connection into practical working projects
I modified this information in to a workable project to trial on a small group of people interested in utilizing permaculture principles to their land. I wanted to build a course that incorporated the spiritual connection on a deep level to the earth, a support group that will grow to involve emotional and physical support on many practical levels empowering people to try practical projects for them selves. I included the following; Building and creating a holistic Permaculture course Covering the following needs: Spiritual/food/exercise/emotional physical support Building raised beds utilizing existing resources Build compost utilizing existing resources Incorporate Biodynamics to build up the compost and connect to earth energies Build a rain water harvesting system to irrigate the beds Create a poly tunnel Cultivate organic seeds through impregnating with own DNA Grow protein rich foods as well as veg/fruit Build a worm palace
People Encourage a support group Swapping of seeds/surplus veg/fruit/skills/physical building of projects Encourage all age groups support for children /older people Encourage each group to help the other, share ideas and encourage creative thinking Share food lunch Connection with nature through senses meditate Practice of rituals seasonal cycles
Resources Compost Straw/horse manure/mushroom compost/rotted leaves/brush wood Biodynamic formula Seed bank Knowledge and skills within the group Manpower to build the projects
Costing's We aim to spend as little as possible bulk buying any materials required to keep costs to a minimum
Timing The course is on going and we started with an all day course lasting 6 hours but this can be tailored to fit around people's availability