I've recently earned a 72 hour Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) in York, North England (UK). It was a fantastic experience, but also really challenging at the same time. I was the only vegan, let alone raw vegan there and having enough food for me (ripe fruit, organic greens were tricky) was stressing me more than necessary. Feeding a raw vegan is the easiest thing in the world. There were 2 fruiting plum trees on our campsite and I could live straight from the 'garden' for a few days which was really wonderful. Imagine a whole field of several acres (like the one we were camping on) covered in fruit trees and other perennial plants! No need for gas for cooking, packaging, recycling/getting rid of harmful materials etc. Just pick, eat, give back to the earth. The perfection, beauty and abundance of a forest garden.
Our teacher, fabulous Richard Perkins, paid a lot of attention to our group development and focused on creating a functioning little community for those two weeks we spent there together. We played several games which allowed us to connect deeply. The more games we played, the closer we got together. The last few days I felt like I got a new big family - it was surprising to me, as I didn't expect to feel that much included - especially because I found it pretty hard not to feel separated because of my different diet/lifestyle. Cooking together and enjoying the same food at meal times is very central in community development and therefore I felt pain and homesick a lot in the beginning. I even cooked for my crew once which was fun as a creative process in a way, but also stressful, as I didn't enjoy the low energy and smells etc. I did my best, though and was happy when I saw other people being happy.
Things that interested me the most:
- food forests/forest gardens (we visited a food forest in the North of England! fantastic!)
- natural building
- Ken Wilber
- permaculture in temperate climates and urban areas
- community building
- skill share
- the actual designing process
Other things:
- homeschooling
- attachment parenting/continuum concept
- nonviolent communication
On our last day of the course we had to perform a (no) talent act in form of a show which is part of the course. I did a hula hoop dance to the song "Woman of the Earth" by Spiral Dance, it was so much fun and I loved it. People seemed to love it, too.
After the PD course I attended a nonviolent communication workshop which was really helpful. I'll be writing more about NVC soon, as I think it is incredibly important for social change and community building. It supports healthy relationships to other people and ourselves. It has potential to help make this world a more peaceful place. So, I want to talk about the language of love some time soon!
