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10/8/2014

Permaculture, Diversity & Inclusion

45 Comments

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Could we be better at valuing the marginal and integrating a more diverse range of cultures & perspectives into the permaculture community?
During the last four years I've help to instigate, co-design, secure funding for, and support the co-ordination of a wonderful project called the European Permaculture Teachers' Partnership (EPT).

The aim of the project was to provide a support network for teachers across Europe, many of whom were working in quite isolated conditions. The project was to provide a forum for these teachers to exchange teaching methods & course curricula and see examples of good permaculture practice by visiting local projects. Meanwhile, comparing organisational structures of national permaculture associations & institutes was to provide inspiration & encouragement to those countries that lacked such organisations, so that they would feel better equipped to establish them. Learning materials would be translated to hasten the spread of permaculture in other languages. Finally, a discussion on how to widen participation was to examine questions of how to make permaculture accessible to a wider audience. In effect we wanted to accelerate succession in the European permaculture education ecosystem.

The project has been extremely successful. During the two-year funded phase of the project we held a series of seven week-long gatherings; over 150 participants from 23 different countries met with peers and discussed various aspects of permaculture education. Two new national permaculture organisations have been established with a third on the way, a new diploma process has been designed in one country, and an older, less functional one revisited and overhauled in another.
One of the partner organisations has gone on to secure further funds for transnational teacher development activities.
Picture
European permaculture teachers gather in Slovenia in October 2012
An Emerging Culture
The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive and at times deeply touching, describing how the project has changed their lives for the better, made them feel more connected and how we have created a new family. Indeed, during the project a strong culture emerged that connected many of the participants on a profound level.

This culture emerged largely as a result of the contributions of participants, who were invited to facilitate, lead sessions and activities. This was a learning journey for them and I'm deeply grateful to them for their contributions and commend them for their courage in stepping outside their own comfort zones to take up the challenge.

This culture was characterised by a lot of standing in circles, sometimes holding hands, often being encouraged to close our eyes and be led in a guided meditation or grounding exercise. At other times, tools from Joanna Macy's Work That Reconnects were used, such as The Milling where participants are encouraged to move around a space making eye contact with others as they pass until they come to a standstill facing someone else. They were then asked questions that encouraged them to share intimate thoughts: "what are your dreams?" etc.

Another significant feature of the culture was singing. Often we were all encouraged to sing together, often singing songs in rounds. Sometimes we were led in a call-and-response song where the responsibility to sing the call part passed around the circle, so that everyone had the opportunity to sing solo in front of the group.

The final celebration took the form of a ceremony where everyone was asked to walk through a door into a garden: on passing through the door they had water sprinkled on them, and a mud bindi applied to their face.

These exercises and rituals are undoubtedly powerful. And they are important tools for those looking to foster deeper connections with others, seeking an inner transition, or hoping to add a spiritual dimension to an experience. However, after reflecting on the widespread use of them in the EPT, I'm left wondering if we should have explored issues of diversity & inclusion, because aspects of the culture that connected many of the participants also marginalised and excluded others.

One attendee climbed out of a window to avoid participating in the closing ceremony, another was clearly made to feel deeply uncomfortable when he refused to join in. Later conversations with others revealed that they went along with these activities because of peer pressure, but they found them uncomfortable, embarrassing or just "didn't get it". At other times during the project other people discreetly slipped away when things started to get "a bit too hippy-ish".

I also tend to feel uncomfortable with these kinds of exercises, but during the EPT I generally went along with them due in part to peer pressure (more on this later), and in part because I didn't want to damage the confidence of any trainee facilitators by making a big fuss in the middle of their sessions. Even so, on the last night of the project I found myself hiding behind a pile of straw bales to avoid yet another face-painting ritual, and then quietly slipping away to avoid the final party in case there was more of the same.

Beyond EPT
EPT Participants can be forgiven for bringing this kind of practice into the culture of the project. In the eight years I've been around permaculture I've seen it crop up regularly at various permaculture gatherings and teacher trainings. And some people seem to be integrating quasi-spiritual practices with Permaculture Design Courses (PDC). But again and again I also find myself in conversation with people grumbling about how they feel uncomfortable with - or embarrassed on permaculture's behalf because of - this stuff.

Spirituality
When I've broached the subject of my own discomfort with the people who are enthusiastic about rituals, group meditation, singing etc, I'm met with a range of responses. Some people acknowledge that these kinds of activities need to be very carefully considered before their inclusion in a programme. But I've also received a kind of knowing, sympathetic look and words to the effect of "Oh, you haven't developed your spiritual side yet".

This implies that any truly holistic understanding of permaculture is contingent on integrating some form of spirituality into your life. Having spent many years contemplating my own spirituality and consequently becoming a humanist, I don't agree.

I also believe that it's counter to the original intentions of Bill Mollison (a scientist) & David Holmgren (who self-identifies as an atheist in Permaculture Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability). As I understand it, the ethics of permaculture were deliberately pared back to a minimal set of values that could be consistent with, and integrated into, almost all major belief systems; spiritual or otherwise. It is inherently atheistic, in the sense that it is not, in and of itself, a religious or spiritual discipline.

I believe that the enforced use of symbols and practices (e.g. meditation, grounding exercises) drawn from certain cultural & religious traditions at permaculture courses and events is potentially damaging. By creating an association between permaculture and certain forms of (new age-approved) spirituality, we limit permaculture and undermine its cultural "portability". By borrowing the hallmarks of some religions we potentially exclude others, not to mention the secular: we risk creating a kind of worldview monoculture.

Furthermore, the appropriation of religious symbolism & practice potentially carries the risk of offending the very traditions from which they have been drawn by using them in inappropriate, disrespectful or blasphemous ways.

To be truly inclusive as teachers & facilitators, I believe that we should keep religion out of our  permaculture teaching and credit our students with the intelligence to make their own choices about spirituality.


Group Singing

When the topic of discomfort about singing in front of a group has been raised, I've been told that "There is evidence that singing reduces stress hormones". And this is true.

However, there is also evidence that performance anxiety greatly elevates stress hormones: being coerced through peer pressure into singing in front of an audience of 50 people can be deeply traumatic for some people. As teachers, I feel we should give deep consideration to when (and whether) it is appropriate to create situations where people are required to sing on front of others.

Loosen up!
Finally I encounter a kind of tacit judgement that I'm just a bit uptight and would benefit from loosening up a bit. I admit that this is true to some extent. But while I identify as middle class, liberal and open minded, this is in the context if my cultural background: Yorkshire in the north of England. We are socially conservative, repressed and proud of it. We have a long tradition of deeply reserved behaviour, understated compliments, adversarial humour and muttering sarcastic comments into our beer. And to be honest, I'm fine with that.

I have no cultural frame of reference for holding hands in a field "feeling the energy go through my feet and into the earth". When I'm cajoled into these kinds of activities I feel utterly inauthentic, like I'm betraying my true identity and pretending to everyone around me. Making me participate in these activities makes me more uptight, not less. And there are plenty of folks who are a lot more uptight than me!

Privilege & Marginalisation
Being a white, middle class man from Western Europe I am profoundly privileged. How can I possibly claim to feel marginalised? Well, that's kind of the point: if someone as privileged as me can feel this marginalised, who else is being marginalised but doesn't feel as empowered as me to speak up?

How about people who are introverts or chronically shy? I've had students tell me how relieved they were that the PDC we'd just taught wasn't full of "happy clappy stuff" because it would have made them leave the course. I've had another student tell me that they went through a living hell during what seemed to me a to be a completely innocuous ice-breaker exercise on the first day of a PDC.

And how about people from other cultural backgrounds? There are countless other cultures that are far more reserved and socially conservative than us Yorkshire folk.

And it seems that those of us who are uncomfortable about this stuff are in good company. An experienced British permaculture teacher recounted a story of a similar exercise at an International Permaculture Convergence many years ago. He was standing in a circle next to Bill Mollison. When they were told to hold hands Bill turned to him and muttered "load of fucking woo-woo".

And yet those of us who feel marginalised and excluded by these practices seem to keep going along with them. And those who promote them don't seem to "get" how others feel about it. Why?

Well, I have a theory that goes something like this...

Peer Pressure: Obedience & Conformity
In group situations, most people surrender a great deal of power to the leader, be they a 'superior' colleague, a teacher, a facilitator, or other figure of authority. As the famous Milgram Experiment shows, most people have a strong tendency to obey authority figures, even if they are instructing them to take actions that are completely at odds with their internal ethics and morals.

On top of our tendency towards obedience, we have a strong propensity to conform to group behaviours. Famous examples showing this include the Asch Experiment, the Smoke Filled Room Study and a clip - "Groupthink" - from the US T.V. show Candid Camera.
What I find interesting in all of these examples is the degree of discomfort that the subject feels during the process. The situation places them in a state of cognitive dissonance between what their senses, ethics, beliefs and reasoning tell them and the signals received from superiors and/or the behaviour of the group. For many, the easiest way to reduce the dissonance and discomfort is to obey or conform: the alternative is to choose potential conflict with an authority figure or with a group: unfavourable odds.

As teachers and facilitators this gives us an incredible amount of power in group situations. And with this power comes a great responsibility to care for the people in our charge.
Ambiguous Feedback Signals
I would hope that any professional permaculture teacher or facilitator who is serious about their practice would apply self-regulation and accept feedback. So why don't the people who are placing others in such discomfort seem to be doing so? One would think that a participant climbing out of a window to avoid an activity is a pretty clear feedback signal. But I'm not so sure.

If a facilitator has personally derived a great deal of benefit from the kind of exercises outlined above, they're likely to be positively disposed towards the activity, and be keen to share them: "I found this really powerful and beneficial, so I'd like to share with others so they can benefit too". Their starting position about the activity is positive, and due to confirmation bias, they're likely to interpret feedback that does come to them in a way that confirms their starting position.


And if they haven't personally experienced discomfort around this kind of activity, the likelihood of someone else being uncomfortable is much less likely to be on their radar: they aren't looking for negative feedback.

If they're leading an activity with a group of 50 people, their adrenalin is likely to be high. They're thinking about what to say next; is what they've planned going to work? What's the weather doing? Are the group doing the task correctly? A myriad of questions and thoughts run through the facilitator's mind. The people who are a bit uncomfortable, but go along with the activity out of peer pressure are not necessarily outwardly giving a clear feedback signal; certainly, any signals that they do give may be too subtle for the facilitator's distracted and adrenalin-drenched brain to pick up on. Those who quietly slip away are not even visible. If the vast majority of the group seem to be going along with the activities and joining in, the feedback signal is overwhelmingly positive and reinforcing.

In the absence of clear, unambiguous feedback signals, the facilitator is understandably likely to miss the fact that they've unwittingly made a number of their participants uncomfortable, that they've potentially alienated and excluded members of their group.

But this is part of the challenge of truly welcoming diversity and creating a genuinely inclusive culture. To do so we must be wary of the danger of confirmation bias, cultivate empathy and actively invite - and deeply engage with - critical feedback and different perspectives.
Summary
Hopefully, the EPT has provided a safe space for people to try out their teaching and facilitation techniques. As teachers of permaculture, any EPT participants that did feel uncomfortable during these exercises are already very much "bought-in" to permaculture and are probably used to seeing some of this stuff. No real harm has been done.

But what about those people on the edges of permaculture: those we wish to invite in? What about PDC course participants that EPT participants are going to be teaching? Should teachers use any of these methods and activities on introductory courses or PDCs?

If we're serious about living permaculture ethics of people care, and principles of integrating as diverse a range of people as possible into the permaculture community, I think we really need to pay attention to the feedback we receive from those people at margins.

My plea to teachers and facilitators is this: If you're going to perform rituals, conduct group meditation, use techniques like those from The Work that Reconnects, or compel people to sing, please make these activities genuinely optional: be absolutely clear about what you're offering and what it entails, and be absolutely clear that it's absolutely OK to not join in.

Better still, avoid putting people in uncomfortable situations by making the default option non-participation. Make it so that people who want to do this stuff have to actively choose to do it, rather than putting people in a situation where they feel they have to climb out of a window, hide behind straw bales or quietly slip away.


Reflection Questions
Here are some questions around inclusion that all teachers & facilitators might find useful to reflect on:

What might it feel like to have a group leader and a group of people encouraging you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable?

Have you ever gone along with something that didn't agree with because the group encouraged you to do it? How did you feel about yourself afterwards?

Have you ever taken an individual stand against a large group of people? How might it feel?

Have you ever been excluded from a group? How did that feel?

How could you develop your practice to avoid excluding people?

Is a permaculture course or event the right place for spiritual practices or exercises designed to create deep connection?

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45 Comments
Dano link
10/8/2014 15:09:41

Loved reading this. Im very aware of trends in facilitation and when done well, its amazing. Would you feel uncomfortable if the group put your in the middle of the room and read out all the lovely things people think of you? I feel confident enough now to go to the loo during a lecture if I need to rather than sit in agony. I have absorbed ways of behaving from 'hippy' gatherings but there is a whole world of folk out there that even having just veggie food scares them. Having to sit in a field is hard for others. I think the compromise takes place when we move just outside the comfort zone and nearly all folk really love the permacultural approach. For facilitators, having a glass of water, going to the loo and having a plan that includes feedback is really important. And if working with folk from Yorkshire....... or anywhere get an understanding of cultural norms. I reckon a bit of self mocking would have helped em take the hippy stuff on board? bla bla bla love the Bill Mollison comment too.....

Reply
KMT Freedom Teacher link
11/8/2014 04:42:09

Brave, I have only skimmed through the article presently but will re-visit it with gusto.

Reply
Steve Hart link
11/8/2014 08:56:46

Yeah...good on ya...great article, must've taken a few hours, and consequently you must've been carrying it with ya for awhile. I support everything ya say and more. I have climbed out of a window and often watched all the other sheep or are they just all walking along with the flute player to the same cliff edge. Sheepocracy I call it. Churches all over the world rely on it. seemingly more than 30% of the worlds population jump to it. I have never been a sheep and have often been criticised for not conforming or playing with the group. Even though I had a long rugby career of staunch team efforts. "Cognitive Dissonance" a great term. Similarly we have conformation of new ways of managing or facilitating at Escherode it was Dragon Dreaming, Batak it was Sociocracy...seems we have thrown Davies model out for Andre's...what next...how about common sense, or just a sense of realism...I guess ya knew you'd probably get a reply from me Joe...who was it ya saw climb out a window ?....Steve Hart

Reply
Irene
11/8/2014 09:14:50

Great article Joe! The EPT/EUPC was my first Permaculture-meeting and I was overwhelmed (and a bit.. well, very terrified) by all the hand-holding, song-singing and sharing of sometimes very personal stuff. I'm not an outgoing person, but hey: when in Rome, do as the Romans do. In the beginning it did help me feel part of the group and cross some personal boundaries, but after a while it started to feel a bit 'forced'.

Making these exercises optional and placing them a bit further outside the curriculum would also help with the scientific credibility of Permaculture. I went to the EPT as part of an internship, I'm writing my report now and I'm struggling with what to write about my EPT-experience that is still truthful but doesn't raise too many of my professors eyebrows...

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Tess
11/8/2014 09:15:30

Thank goodness. I have spent years thinking the same thing and quite frankly avoiding permaculture groups even though I like the principle of permaculture. All that stuff is so alienating for people who aren't into it.

Reply
Steve Hart
11/8/2014 09:55:19

"experience that is still truthful but doesn't raise too many of my professors eyebrows"...Irene..quite the opposite...do not ever think your learned seniors will raise their eyebrows in disdane. Its 2014 not 1814. Ironically the challange though is to make them raise their eyebrows...jump out of the box and back it up...Steve Hart

Reply
Irene
11/8/2014 10:45:20

Steve, I go to a Christian university. Some of my professors don't believe in evolution (how they teach Biology is beyond me). The non-Christian professors have a very scientific mindset. Hippy-stuff will not land well there. For the past 4 years I've spoken up and caused debates about the curriculum, teaching methods, the building, even the coffee machine ;) Luckily, most of the staff is very reasonable and a lot of the debates me and my classmates started ended in our favor (except the one about the coffee machine...).

So I'm not scared to stir up some trouble, but I can't back up something I don't 100% believe in. For me, some of the 'happy clappy' exercises we did during the EPT were very useful, and I'll definitely put that in my report. It's just that some things were too much 'out there' for me, like some of the workshops in the EUPC Open Space. I feel like writing about that will raise a lot of questions about the scientific validity of my internship and it will cause my professors to connect that to Permaculture. What I'd like to show them is that Permaculture is something they should add to their curriculum, paving the way for more students to do Permaculture-related internships. The whole 'happy clappy' thing isn't going to help with that.

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Malika
12/8/2014 03:43:17

This is great and more needs to be said along these lines. I believe that such teaching in 'spirituality' should be taken out of permaculture courses altogether, it totally undermines the practice and principles and minimises its potential impact, inclusion and adoption. If people want to teach/practice 'spirituality' teach it in such a course/platform don't hijack permaculture. And is teaching not about taking students from what they don't know to what they do, provide a platform for learning and development, not coheres them into their own ideals.

Thanks for your blog and keep up the anti-preach!

Reply
Ana Huertas
12/8/2014 06:24:39

Thanks Joe for writing this article. I honestly believe you have a very valid point and that you have given voice to a concern that has been long standing within the permaculture community, and many other social movements that have stemmed from it (I personally know the case of the Transition Towns Movement, which also use Joanna Macy's work). Furthermore, this is something that needs to be discussed in a way that is inclusive and non-confrontational, and I fully support that people should be able to feel that they always have a choice in terms of participating in a certain activity or not.

What I fail to understand is the purpose of this article being written in August 2014. This could have been discussed during the European Permaculture Teachers Partnership, given that it was a unique opportunity to talk about this with those that have potentially the most impact within the permaculture community: teachers. Furthermore, this concern could have been brought to the wider community during the Convergence. Regardless of any socially-induced psychological phenomena, we are all adults with our own judgment and voice. We are working to change the structures that impede us from expressing ourselves and from resolving these types of conflicts which often arise due to a lack of communication.

For me, there is a clear double standard in permaculture. On the one hand, the philosophy (and I use that word after hours of research on a definition of the term) has historically rejected scientific empiricism; even the methodologies proposed by the social sciences were considered too reductionist. This has been happening since the 70s, on claims that “permies don’t do numbers”, and maybe it’s true that this caused what is considered as the “hippie” permaculture to emerge. On the other, there has been growing interest for permaculture to become accepted by academia and as a result, or so we assume, by the wider public, and therefore attempts have begun to become more rigorous about research and teaching, leaving out anything that may seem vaguely “spiritual” since, by definition, it cannot be considered “scientific”. Either way, there is exclusion.

Permaculture is breaking new ground: it is proposing a new way of seeing things, of measuring them, a whole new set of values which are very ancient at the same. I am the first one who thinks that education should be secular, but it can never be truly objective. Our beliefs and values will always permeate everything. That shouldn't mean, however, that we cannot demonstrate to the world that even if we reserve a space for “happy clapping songs” and “meditation”, permaculture still works and offers a viable alternative whose impact and success can be measured and assessed. And part of its success is integrating everyone’s views and responding to their needs. I could walk out of a PDC if the facilitator started telling me about a male god and creationism, but maybe, just maybe, I could learn something in case I ever have to deliver a PDC in an orthodox catholic community. I would, however, talk to the facilitator and ask him to have a separate, optional session on that topic. It is my responsibility to act according to what I believe and make my views heard in order for them to be taken into account.

Maybe it is true that during permaculture courses it not stressed enough that participants always have a choice, and that they should choose as informed, responsible and respectful adults. You can always stand up and leave if something doesn’t feel right. Songs and meditation are tools; they are not the ultimate purpose. Maybe the question here is how to prevent that those not willing to engage in certain activities feel in the spotlight or pointed at. An option could be to have a common, shared space for things strictly related to course content delivery, and a separate space for any other type of thing, where people do not feel "forced" to leave the group. Teachers should make that clear before asking participants to undertake any exercise and should be aware of every participant's needs, as hard as it may seem. However, dismissing people’s attempts to teach and share what they think works best as “woo” is one of the most disrespectful things I've ever heard, regardless who it comes from. Accepting feedback (and therefore feeling empowered to give it in the first place) is a principle that we should all embrace, always striving to make criticism constructive and a tool for widening participation.

Criticism is good and it provides an opportunity for learning, and I’m glad for this article. I hope it gets us into thinking how we can best deal with this issue. Especially for those who teach and design, it brings on a new layer of responsibility and hopefully will increase our consciousness of the reasons behind what we do. But I do ask for respect and tactfulne

Reply
Joe
12/8/2014 18:36:07

Thanks Ana.

"What I fail to understand is the purpose of this article being written in August 2014."
- This blog is a result of my learning during, and reflections since, the EPT: I'm on a learning journey too.

"This could have been discussed during the European Permaculture Teachers Partnership, given that it was a unique opportunity to talk about this with those that have potentially the most impact within the permaculture community: teachers."
I agree. If my thinking had reached the point it has now, 3 years ago I'd have argued for it to go in the project objectives. The comments here hint at the richness of the discussions that we could have had (and still can either here or at future meetings).

"Regardless of any socially-induced psychological phenomena"
- Sorry, but I really think we should regard them. They are important patterns in (human) nature to be aware of and design for.

...we are all adults with our own judgment and voice."
- Indeed, but I don't think we're all equally empowered to use our voice.

"For me, there is a clear double standard in permaculture... Either way, there is exclusion."
- hopefully this discussion can help to move us towards an open acknowledgement of our diversity and mutual understanding and respect?

"That shouldn't mean, however, that we cannot demonstrate to the world that even if we reserve a space for “happy clapping songs” and “meditation”, permaculture still works and offers a viable alternative whose impact and success can be measured and assessed."
- my worry (confirmed by several comments in response to this blog post in facebook groups) is that using lots of songs & meditation alienates lots of people before they get far enough into permaculture to make a fair appraisal of it.

"However, dismissing people’s attempts to teach and share what they think works best as “woo” is one of the most disrespectful things I've ever heard"
- It was really not my intention to be disrespectful about anyone's attempts to teach. I hope that the article reads as a critique of the entire permaculture movement as I've experienced it - not about any individuals from the EPT, about whom I can only reiterate my point from the article: "I'm deeply grateful to them for their contributions and commend them for their courage in stepping outside their own comfort zones"

Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to comment.

Reply
Martin link
12/8/2014 09:01:46

Lovely discussion. Seems to have sparked lots of talk here at the PDC in Cloughjordan, going on presently, and with quite a handful of familiar faces from the EPT meetings here. I missed the process that happened yesterday evening, another fishbowl, as happened at Lake Batak, and one of the occasions with people jumping out of windows. I was one such person, when the room became way to stuffy to breathe. Be careful everyone, Joe, Steve, Ana, all, in analysing a person's behaviour, even if someone does cross their hands and make funny faces, or climb out of a window. You may find that you haven't at all captured what was going through their minds. Remember that opinions are always changing. They don't even last for more then a milli-second on occasion.

You could see the planet right now populated by 7 billions thoughts. And right now by another entirely different 7 billion thoughts. The thoughts are endless, and the opinions too, and they are always changing.

The conversation sparked here is valuable and useful. Doesn't matter where or when it was written up by Joe. Thanks Joe! Doesn't matter that it wasn't 'officially' raised during the EuPC. That would have been a shame not to have been there for that session/ moment! It's out there, and was throughout the EPT and EuPC anyway. Some of us were talking about it all the time, right there amongst the singing, at the edges, or with ourselves (especially apt for the type who likes to jump out of windows - which is just another exit / entrance to a given room).

(-_-)

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Peter Cow link
12/8/2014 11:19:26

Thanks Joe for bringing this into the light some more. With your blog, and with the 'Permaculture and metaphysics' blog last year, I do wonder about the value and effect of the words and labels that are used. I think they don't help us to understand the landscape and the points of design leverage well. Specifically, I do not see holding hands as a 'spiritual' activity, nor do I see singing as an implicitly spiritual activity, nor hugging, nor sensory meditations, nor standing in circles. These activities are used in religious activities, but that does not make them necessarily religious, or spiritual. Wine is drunk in some religious services, but does this mean wine drinking is a spiritual practice, or a religious one, and that wine should therefore be avoided in permaculture events?

I think what is underneath these labels and the discomforts, is culture.
I see and hear cultural activities, cultural sensitivities, cultural comfort zones and cultural discomfort zones. In the same way that we have climates and microclimates, so we have cultures and microcultures, on many different levels, from countries to towns to bars to households etc. Whenever human beings get together they create a culture between them, usually unconsciously and usually derived from patterns they inherited or chose previously in their lives. As a regenerative social designer, I think we can improve and evolve the cultures we have inherited, cultures that are generally linked with the destructive physical paradigms that we are trying to get away from.

It is delight-full that Permaculture has the word culture in it, as culture is at the heart of how human beings behave and make their choices. On one level permaculture is trying to create a new culture that is informed by the 3 ethics, thinking forward into the future, cooperation, protracted observation and design, empowerment and responsible creativity etc.
I think that one of the many valuable things that happen on permaculture courses is that people get a taste, a social body experience of this different culture, a culture where mistakes are valued as learning opportunities, where we collaborate, where people can be more daring, and open and creative.

On my courses I endeavour to make culture conscious and visible from day 1, where we design some culture for the PDC, often based on reviewing previous learning experiences, eg. school or university, and how we would prefer it to be on this learning adventure together. The course itself is a designed micro culture, temporary, intense, deep, and usually quite powerful.

I think we need to analyse the activities you have mentioned, and work out whether they are appropriate culture for the unique design situation of each course, gathering, street stall, etc. rather than labelling them as spiritual, or metaphysical, or whatever ‘woo-woo’ means.
For example I hugely value group singing. As you say it has been proven to reduce stress, and it also helps us release the hormone oxytocin inside us* which is scientifically proven to encourage trust, generosity and belonging** therefore building community, and encouraging cooperation – 2 core permaculture cultural patterns we seek in many other ways. And if some people are uncomfortable with singing, this is part of the landscape we need to design for.
In terms of singing, it is also very important what the words are, as to whether it is received as 'religious' or 'spiritual' etc, and when I am facilitating I aim to avoid songs with words that require people to believe in anything to be able to sing the words wholeheartedly.
I mostly use group singing on PDCs, as an optional 'come to the morning circle early if you want to do some singing' which is a pattern that works really well in my experience.
At the EPT and EUPC we used singing more widely, more immersively and more deeply than I do on PDCs. I saw a strong need to build community and trust between us all, as quickly as possible, and as you point out, people in the EPT are more experienced permaculturalists, and so less likely to run away from permaculture because of it. I also accept that the positive feedback I received during the EPT from a lot of people has encouraged me/Process to do more in this area, and more feedback from those who didn't appreciate it would have helped to balance this. I agree with your confirmation bias pattern analysis, and we need to be wary of this, and the effects of peer pressure.

I also see my role as a facilitator/teacher is to take people out of their comfort zones occasionally in the experiences they have - this is part of what people come to courses for. Coming on a course is by definition going out of your comfort zone. And that is not a free pass to do whatever I choose, events need to be carefully designed, built up to, supported through, led down from, etc., and this is part of the path of my learning. This is social design as a teacher and facilitator, carried out consciously or unco

Reply
Peter Cow link
12/8/2014 12:20:51

This got cut off the bottom of my comment -

This is social design as a teacher and facilitator, carried out consciously or unconsciously in business, in parenting and in life.

So lets have a debate on what are the flavours of the cultures we want to create in permaculture, and where and when are they appropriate, rather that labelling things as 'spiritual' or 'metaphysical' or 'religious' because they have been culturally uncomfortable for us in the past. Let’s not write off these very powerful tools without a more thorough, and honest, analysis.

I am not asking anyone to believe in faiths or spirits or religions, and I agree that allying Permaculture to religion or beliefs reduces our ability to spread it, and its important ethics further. I agree that we should avoid that, and be sensitive when we are designing for group activities.

I am passionate about designing the most regenerative cultural landscapes we can for each other, in sensitivity to the social landscapes we interact with, alongside teaching the practical land based skills we need to use to meet our physical needs. With good, appropriate culture design and practices (which can include singing, hugging, looking in each others eyes, talking in a circle, having pair share conversations, rites of passage, ceremonies, skype calls, sharing the washing up and dancing) we can foster cooperation, self and group awareness, empowered and creative individuals, self responsibility, community, generous and present adults, alive and wise children, and a society more and more in line with our core aims of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Shares.

*http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02734261#page-1
** http://www.nature.com/.../v435/n7042/abs/nature03701.html

Reply
Wilf Richards
12/8/2014 11:36:10

Quality article Joe. So much depth and insights. I can relate to a lot of what you have said. As someone who finds singing and hand holding etc uncomfortable then it is avoided in a PDC for me. But there are other social settings when it seems really appropriate, usually when I already have deep connections that have built up over time. Would love to chat about your experiences more over a pint or two in a nice Yorkshire pub.

Reply
Stella link
12/8/2014 16:27:57


Thanks for the great article Joe, am glad more of us are writing about this kind of blind-spots we unwittingly create by un-conscious design. There is far worse things happening, however, than designers keeping out of meetings that are too hippy for their tastes.

Here is another (ongoing) article which lists several other kinds of people who are (up till now unawarely, I hope) excluded from most permacuture meetings, especially international big ones:

https://sites.google.com/site/permaculturescienceorg/english-pages/1-peoplecare/2-the-basis/basic-human-rights/inclusion

Very interestingly, one of the results for us in Spain from the exclusion produced by the EPT format (some of us tried to participate online from the beginning, but there was not enough interest / willingness / attention / resources put toward in including those of us who couldn't leave behind important projects - but especially, in our case, to go talk about something we've already achieved: a very successful international collaboration of permaculture teachers developed over many years, who now teach together internationally, in two languages, having creatively cooperated to considerably improve the PDC curriculum, and create one of the best diploma pathway structures available anywhere.

This has been possibly the most significant PC educational achievement to come out of Spain, but it's (currently) being censored out of the (supposedly) international collating effort created by the EPT. Why? Just because of who got to participate in those meetings - whoever shows up is automatically considered 'an expert' when in fact they can be nothing of the kind.

I was shocked today to see the massive history distortions that are currently reported as facts in the spanish summary page, http://permateachers.eu/netherlands-educational-structures/spain/
which (amongst other things) claims there is no diploma offered in Spain currently (yet there has been, & since 2004, something anyone can find this out with a 2min web search), but also it claims that thanks to EPT now spanish teachers are finally coming together ...

Yet at the beginning of July we sent (after many un-fruitful attempts at participating to the discussions online) various suggestions for updating the EPT pages which included this important chunk of our PC education history - to add to that page, from our country:

>> In the summer of 2003 two important permaculture education meetings
>> took place for Spain:
>> The first PC Diploma network meeting in the UK & the first national
>> Permaculture network meeting in Spain (at the Iberian EcoVillage
>> annual conference).
>>
>> The information, mandates & enthusiasm from both those meetings came
>> together, called for & created an expanded permacuture educational
>> structure for Spain.
>>
>> NodoEspiral of the Permaculture Academy was born from this, from the
>> collaboration of some 15 spanish teachers over 5 years getting
>> together to teach PDC courses cooperatively all over mainland Spain.
>>
>> We set out not only to make formal permaculture education more easily
>> available (especially the permaculture diploma trajectory)
>> but also to integrate as many experienced & pioneering teachers as
>> possible in creating an expanded, modernized PC curriculum (something
>> that also kept coming up in all of the international permaculture
>> convergences).
>>
>> One result is now available freely online as the Integral PermaCulture
>> Designers Manual, in english & spanish: www.PermaCultureScience.org,
>> the most complete (& growing) collaboratively designed permaculture
>> curriculum openly available for anyone to follow (designed for use for
>> creating self-study circles).
>> This reflects the new expanded PDC+ curriculum now taught by the
>> Integral Permaculture Academy.
>>
>> Nodo Espiral changed names to the Integral Permaculture Academy in
>> 2013, and to teaching online in 2009, in order to better follow
>> students progressing their own designs (diploma-trajectory style).

>>
>> This pioneering permaculture academy was born in Spain and is now
>> teaching internationally, in english as well as spanish, a wide range
>> of courses including the permaculture diploma pathway.
>>
>> Although most students are still from Spain & other spanish-speaking
>> countries, for historical reasons, the teaching team continues to be
>> international, cooperative & open.
>>
>> The website of the Integral PermaCulture Academy is at
>> www.IntegralPermaCulture.org

We were told that the (spanish) web editor had to 'consult the others' before including this article (& other changes which corrected mistakes in links given on the EPT website). We are still waiting, but meanwhile the

Reply
Stella link
12/8/2014 16:31:42

(ctd. from above)

We were told that the (spanish) web editor had to 'consult the others' before including this article (& other changes which corrected mistakes in links given on the EPT website). We are still waiting, but meanwhile the page went from being empty to (currently) having quite a few totally mis-leading 'reports' of the realities of 'permaculture teaching in Spain'.

Interesting huge contrast, given that some considerably fruitful collective & indeed internationally pioneering permaculture educational efforts in our country have so completely been written out, presenting Spain instead as some rather backward place in terms of PC education.

Yet this is just a small (& very current) example which however begs some wider questions .. like where else (& how often!?) are the self-selected people attending international conferences like this getting to 'play expert' and censor history at will?
How do we design this better? What other great accomplishment are getting destroyed by this kind of manipulation, & (especially!?) how many wheels are getting re-invented because we can't keep our egos out of the way even when (supposedly) cooperating, as permaculture designers & educators, or even manage the prime designer task of observing objectively enough to get our blinders out of the way in all sorts of other directions? (The example described above with the re-writing of spanish PC history were definately not innocent mistakes, but of course this kind of thing could also happen unawarely).

There are a lot of important questions that rise out of the issue of exclusion (aware & unaware exclusion), so I hope this conversation continues. Thanks for taking the time to point out one facet of unaware exclusion with your article.










Reply
Stella link
12/8/2014 16:32:23

(ctd. from above)

We were told that the (spanish) web editor had to 'consult the others' before including this article (& other changes which corrected mistakes in links given on the EPT website). We are still waiting, but meanwhile the page went from being empty to (currently) having quite a few totally mis-leading 'reports' of the realities of 'permaculture teaching in Spain'.

Interesting huge contrast, given that some considerably fruitful collective & indeed internationally pioneering permaculture educational efforts in our country have so completely been written out, presenting Spain instead as some rather backward place in terms of PC education.

Yet this is just a small (& very current) example which however begs some wider questions .. like where else (& how often!?) are the self-selected people attending international conferences like this getting to 'play expert' and censor history at will?
How do we design this better? What other great accomplishment are getting destroyed by this kind of manipulation, & (especially!?) how many wheels are getting re-invented because we can't keep our egos out of the way even when (supposedly) cooperating, as permaculture designers & educators, or even manage the prime designer task of observing objectively enough to get our blinders out of the way in all sorts of other directions? (The example described above with the re-writing of spanish PC history were definately not innocent mistakes, but of course this kind of thing could also happen unawarely).

There are a lot of important questions that rise out of the issue of exclusion (aware & unaware exclusion), so I hope this conversation continues. Thanks for taking the time to point out one facet of unaware exclusion with your article.










Reply
Henrique
12/8/2014 16:34:37

Thank you Joe for your thoughts and words. Personally, they feel like fresh air entering my lungs, finally I can breathe normally again. This is the sign that my body and my soul are together once again, and that I don't feel lost anymore within the Permaculture "Culture".

After two days of EPT... I (an EPT and EUPC "newcomer") found myself thinking: is this Permaculture? Are these guys and gals my teaching peers? What is wrong with me? Is this the way the future of Permaculture is being designed in Europe...? When is xonofobia became part of permaculture (a subject for future discussions and reflexions, maybe, it is also optional, I guess...), (And other more or less permuculture "deal breaker" issues)?


How will I find a way to be able to continue explaining to the critics of permaculture, that permaculture is indeed a science? That permaculture is not a hobby for making designs, as they swear to be? that it is much more than that, and the designs are just a tool, a technology to put ideias into action...

"...Now I am screwed..." I thought ...


but I was not! Just feeling down, but now I feel better. :-)

Hum... Well, now I that I can breathe again. I will continue with renewed interest "observing" what will come from these discussions.

Sincerely yours, in thoughts and heart,
Henrique Zamith

Reply
leo link
13/8/2014 07:49:27

Great conversation. Possibly the most important one European permaculture teachers have had in the past two years.

Would anyone mind if I plug the concept of "profiling" courses, teachers and students? Provide clarity of what your course or learning needs are and matching (or challenging) on the basis of that. Replacing the blanket approval of the rather non-descript Certificates, Diploma's and their learning vehicles (PDC's and Diploma Pathways).

Reply
Carla Braga link
13/8/2014 08:35:41

JOE, great article! :-)
THANK YOU for "putting your finger on the wound" and “voicing its pain” ;-)! Good that at least ONE of the "elephants of the room" of the EPT is now being acknowledged and discussed. There are more, bigger yet very subtle, but I guess that is raw material for another article ;-).
STEVE, strong words… JOE has pointed out the elephant, but you are the one that, in my humble opinion of “newcomer” , more accurately and straightforwardly describes it. I also, more than the "hippy-shing" trend, abhor the "cultish" practices that some insist to impregnate the design science of Permaculture with (please notice it is not WHAT you do, be it singing, dancing, meditating or even clapping, but HOW you do it that makes it seem “cultish”!).
I know, I know, there is something called "Social Permaculture" and the "Design of the 00 zone, the human", etc... But lets not turn these into another "human farming" design, otherwise we will be doing exactly the opposite of what Father Bill (sorry, I like him. A lot! ;)) preconized (an alternative and more sustainable system at all levels!) and history will continue to repeat itself, inexorably.
And please be aware that either you call it a cult, a church, a federation, a foundation, or even permaculture, democracy, communism, capitalism, sociocracy, whatever!, the “dangers” are the same. What is being discussed here is very important because it is global and insidious and beneath this particular “clothing” (the EPT context in this case) lies a mindset that is now, in this world of ours, hegemonic and even timeless, since it pervades most of all human history (at least the history of the “takers”… Has anyone read “Ishmael”, by Daniel Quinn? Highly recommended.)
Only full consciousness of this global and, at the same time, highly impregnated personal mindset, can “save us”: “we can only be kept in the cages we refuse to see… to see the farm is to leave it” (from “Human farming, the story of your enslavement”, a little video in youtube that I highly recommend watching at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbp6umQT58A Maybe too strong for this context, or maybe not…, maybe too much of a "punch in the stomach" for some, but I guess we all need to be "punched" sometimes). ;-)
So, thanks again JOE, for pointing out one of the “cages”!  We are closer from “freedom” now! ;-)
When you say, in your article, that “For many, the easiest way to reduce the dissonance and discomfort is to obey or conform: the alternative is to choose potential conflict with an authority figure or with a group: unfavourable odds.” you are absolutely right. This has happen to me many times in my life and sometimes I paid a very high price for it, the hardest one being a feeling of absolute loneliness (a very high price to pay for us, inherently social beings!) (But you know what, there is NOTHING better in this world than to feel true and loyal to yourself. In a “more spiritual” note” ;-): “to truly transcend yourself you only need to be YOURSELF”.)
In a more personal note, I only want to add, without mentioning names, that I paid this “price” again in the EPT: when politely but firmly I refused to participate in an “activity” and/or publicly voiced pertinent but obviously uncomfortable for whatever reason questions/doubts/suggestions I was met with people not saying “hello” to me anymore, turning heads at my passage, sudden singing and clapping after a question or, even worst, rudely saying “Shut up, it is not your turn to talk!”, xenophobic comments, and other impolite, to say the least, attitudes. And guess what, many of these situations came exactly from those same “commanders” (sorry, “facilitators”, oops…) and firm advocates of the so-called “spiritual” (sorry, “reconnective”! Oops, there I go again…but you have to excuse me, English is not my first language, and I am really sorry for that…) activities.
And this was the saddest thing for me. Extremely sad indeed. Because it means that all those hours we “lost” meditating, singing, holding hands, hugging, kissing, and so on, with the main “official aim” of “connecting” and “reconnecting” with each other and become more empathic, sympathetic, warm-hearted, kind, “enlightened”, “spiritual”, etc… human beings meant nothing. They were, for most part and for many people, as I can see now, just imposed rituals lacking true meaning and practical, visible consequence. In our attempt to “become more spiritual” we, very often, loose our “humanity”. Sad, to say the least. And very “energy-inefficient&rd

Reply
Carla Braga link
13/8/2014 08:38:54

(CONTINUATION) Sad, to say the least. And very “energy-inefficient”, thus very “un-permacultural”! ;-)
But don’t take me wrong here please! Although I was sad, I was also very glad: this allowed me to “separate the wheat from the chaff” and to better know “my place” in the EPT and EuPC and to make empowered choices about with whom I wanted to “connect” with. And for that I am very thankful, for all those (not many, I must confess, but, well, I guess with more time the numbers would rise, at least I want to believe so…) that “connected” with me, with a beer in the hand, in-between dives in the lake or in-between “sessions”, while holding plates and trying to stay away from the rain at the same time, and even those that hugged and kissed me with spontaneity and in true friendship. And in the same tone, I want to say I am really grateful for the presence of all the children in the EPT and EuPC. Thank you Lucy, Gaye, Lily, Maxim, Dimana, Joseph and others for being exactly what and who you are and blessing my stay in Batak with your joy, imagination, genuine love and laughter! And also for your innate simple, beautiful (and “efficient”) “common sense” and “sense of realism” in communication (once more I must agree with you, STEVE. It is THIS simple isn’t it? ;) ).

IRENE, ANA and PETER: although I am a very outgoing person and specially being a music and dance teacher for more than 15 years now, and an active “researcher” and “practitioner” of the so-called “spiritual sciences”, I was not that much “annoyed” with all the “happy clappy stuff”, actually I was very engaged in some of them (when it felt right to me), as I were with the extreme “dissonance” between these moments of “deep connection” (?) and the attitudes of some people that showed that there was no “deep connection” after all! (?) Strange, to say the least… But I kept playing along, like a puppet, but more like a “conscious” puppet that knows it is being “puppeted” but wants to “play more” in order to “see and understand more”. 
I am a firm believer that there can and must be a place for everything and everyone, and not only in a “Permaculture context”, but always bearing in mind that our personal freedom ends when it interferes and/or disrupts another person(s)’ freedom.
In this, JOE is also very clear, sharp and absolutely respectful and constructive when he states: “My plea to teachers and facilitators is this: If you're going to perform rituals, conduct group meditation, use techniques like those from The Work that Reconnects, or compel people to sing, please make these activities genuinely optional: be absolutely clear about what you're offering and what it entails, and be absolutely clear that it's absolutely OK to not join in.” and also “But this is part of the challenge of truly welcoming diversity and creating a genuinely inclusive culture. To do so we must be wary of the danger of confirmation bias, cultivate empathy and actively invite - and deeply engage with - critical feedback and different perspectives.”
I would only add that those that do not give clear and active feedback because of “peer pressure” are also as responsible as the facilitators for the success and perpetuation of certain activities and/or behaviors. A humble advice: one of these days try not to be a “people/group-pleaser” and try to be kindly assertive and genuine in your opinions and wishes. I bet you’ll LOVE IT! ;-) For the shyest ones, using the “law of the two feet” is a very good low-profile way of doing so… ;-) I love this one, hehe… Children are always using it! As I said, they already “know it all!” ;-)
Maybe you are afraid of hurting people, but, in the end, you are hurting them and YOURSELF much more by not doing so. Deep and genuine empathy (the most important quality of a teacher, in my opinion!) can only be built with trust, and trust only arises naturally when people are being honest and true to themselves and to the others around them.
In a more positive note, and as an EPT “newcomer”, I must end saying that the whole EPT and EuPC experience was awesome and very enriching to me, at many levels. We are all teaching and learning at the same time: “sharing beings”! That’s what we did down there and keep doing now. And I am very grateful for that! Thank you JOE, once more, for this fantastic opportunity for more discussion, sharing, voicing, learning and growth!
With love and respect,
Carla Braga (the African dance and shouting and painting crazy woman! ;) )

Reply
Carla Braga link
13/8/2014 08:36:58

They were, for most part and for many people, as I can see now, just imposed rituals lacking true meaning and practical, visible consequence. In our attempt to “become more spiritual” we, very often, loose our “humanity”. Sad, to say the least. And very “energy-inefficient”, thus very “un-permacultural”! ;-)
But don’t take me wrong here please! Although I was sad, I was also very glad: this allowed me to “separate the wheat from the chaff” and to better know “my place” in the EPT and EuPC and to make empowered choices about with whom I wanted to “connect” with. And for that I am very thankful, for all those (not many, I must confess, but, well, I guess with more time the numbers would rise, at least I want to believe so…) that “connected” with me, with a beer in the hand, in-between dives in the lake or in-between “sessions”, while holding plates and trying to stay away from the rain at the same time, and even those that hugged and kissed me with spontaneity and in true friendship. And in the same tone, I want to say I am really grateful for the presence of all the children in the EPT and EuPC. Thank you Lucy, Gaye, Lily, Maxim, Dimana, Joseph and others for being exactly what and who you are and blessing my stay in Batak with your joy, imagination, genuine love and laughter! And also for your innate simple, beautiful (and “efficient”) “common sense” and “sense of realism” in communication (once more I must agree with you, STEVE. It is THIS simple isn’t it? ;) ).

IRENE, ANA and PETER: although I am a very outgoing person and specially being a music and dance teacher for more than 15 years now, and an active “researcher” and “practitioner” of the so-called “spiritual sciences”, I was not that much “annoyed” with all the “happy clappy stuff”, actually I was very engaged in some of them (when it felt right to me), as I were with the extreme “dissonance” between these moments of “deep connection” (?) and the attitudes of some people that showed that there was no “deep connection” after all! (?) Strange, to say the least… But I kept playing along, like a puppet, but more like a “conscious” puppet that knows it is being “puppeted” but wants to “play more” in order to “see and understand more”. 
I am a firm believer that there can and must be a place for everything and everyone, and not only in a “Permaculture context”, but always bearing in mind that our personal freedom ends when it interferes and/or disrupts another person(s)’ freedom.
In this, JOE is also very clear, sharp and absolutely respectful and constructive when he states: “My plea to teachers and facilitators is this: If you're going to perform rituals, conduct group meditation, use techniques like those from The Work that Reconnects, or compel people to sing, please make these activities genuinely optional: be absolutely clear about what you're offering and what it entails, and be absolutely clear that it's absolutely OK to not join in.” and also “But this is part of the challenge of truly welcoming diversity and creating a genuinely inclusive culture. To do so we must be wary of the danger of confirmation bias, cultivate empathy and actively invite - and deeply engage with - critical feedback and different perspectives.”
I would only add that those that do not give clear and active feedback because of “peer pressure” are also as responsible as the facilitators for the success and perpetuation of certain activities and/or behaviors. A humble advice: one of these days try not to be a “people/group-pleaser” and try to be kindly assertive and genuine in your opinions and wishes. I bet you’ll LOVE IT! ;-) For the shyest ones, using the “law of the two feet” is a very good low-profile way of doing so… ;-) I love this one, hehe… Children are always using it! As I said, they already “know it all!” ;-)
Maybe you are afraid of hurting people, but, in the end, you are hurting them and YOURSELF much more by not doing so. Deep and genuine empathy (the most important quality of a teacher, in my opinion!) can only be built with trust, and trust only arises naturally when people are being honest and true to themselves and to the others around them.
In a more positive note, and as an EPT “newcomer”, I must end saying that the whole EPT and EuPC experience was awesome and very enriching to me, at many levels. We are all teaching and learning at the same time: “sharing beings”! That’s what we did down there and keep doing now. And I am very grateful for that! Thank you JOE, once more, for this fantastic opportuni

Reply
Carla Braga link
13/8/2014 08:37:19

They were, for most part and for many people, as I can see now, just imposed rituals lacking true meaning and practical, visible consequence. In our attempt to “become more spiritual” we, very often, loose our “humanity”. Sad, to say the least. And very “energy-inefficient”, thus very “un-permacultural”! ;-)
But don’t take me wrong here please! Although I was sad, I was also very glad: this allowed me to “separate the wheat from the chaff” and to better know “my place” in the EPT and EuPC and to make empowered choices about with whom I wanted to “connect” with. And for that I am very thankful, for all those (not many, I must confess, but, well, I guess with more time the numbers would rise, at least I want to believe so…) that “connected” with me, with a beer in the hand, in-between dives in the lake or in-between “sessions”, while holding plates and trying to stay away from the rain at the same time, and even those that hugged and kissed me with spontaneity and in true friendship. And in the same tone, I want to say I am really grateful for the presence of all the children in the EPT and EuPC. Thank you Lucy, Gaye, Lily, Maxim, Dimana, Joseph and others for being exactly what and who you are and blessing my stay in Batak with your joy, imagination, genuine love and laughter! And also for your innate simple, beautiful (and “efficient”) “common sense” and “sense of realism” in communication (once more I must agree with you, STEVE. It is THIS simple isn’t it? ;) ).

IRENE, ANA and PETER: although I am a very outgoing person and specially being a music and dance teacher for more than 15 years now, and an active “researcher” and “practitioner” of the so-called “spiritual sciences”, I was not that much “annoyed” with all the “happy clappy stuff”, actually I was very engaged in some of them (when it felt right to me), as I were with the extreme “dissonance” between these moments of “deep connection” (?) and the attitudes of some people that showed that there was no “deep connection” after all! (?) Strange, to say the least… But I kept playing along, like a puppet, but more like a “conscious” puppet that knows it is being “puppeted” but wants to “play more” in order to “see and understand more”. 
I am a firm believer that there can and must be a place for everything and everyone, and not only in a “Permaculture context”, but always bearing in mind that our personal freedom ends when it interferes and/or disrupts another person(s)’ freedom.
In this, JOE is also very clear, sharp and absolutely respectful and constructive when he states: “My plea to teachers and facilitators is this: If you're going to perform rituals, conduct group meditation, use techniques like those from The Work that Reconnects, or compel people to sing, please make these activities genuinely optional: be absolutely clear about what you're offering and what it entails, and be absolutely clear that it's absolutely OK to not join in.” and also “But this is part of the challenge of truly welcoming diversity and creating a genuinely inclusive culture. To do so we must be wary of the danger of confirmation bias, cultivate empathy and actively invite - and deeply engage with - critical feedback and different perspectives.”
I would only add that those that do not give clear and active feedback because of “peer pressure” are also as responsible as the facilitators for the success and perpetuation of certain activities and/or behaviors. A humble advice: one of these days try not to be a “people/group-pleaser” and try to be kindly assertive and genuine in your opinions and wishes. I bet you’ll LOVE IT! ;-) For the shyest ones, using the “law of the two feet” is a very good low-profile way of doing so… ;-) I love this one, hehe… Children are always using it! As I said, they already “know it all!” ;-)
Maybe you are afraid of hurting people, but, in the end, you are hurting them and YOURSELF much more by not doing so. Deep and genuine empathy (the most important quality of a teacher, in my opinion!) can only be built with trust, and trust only arises naturally when people are being honest and true to themselves and to the others around them.
In a more positive note, and as an EPT “newcomer”, I must end saying that the whole EPT and EuPC experience was awesome and very enriching to me, at many levels. We are all teaching and learning at the same time: “sharing beings”! That’s what we did down there and keep doing now. And I am very grateful for that! Thank you JOE, once more, for this fantastic opportuni

Reply
Mari
13/8/2014 09:42:15

Hmm so Joe do you mean in activities that are probably meant to bring trust, build community etc, there are times when it really has an opposite result for you and how relaxed, comfortable and trusting you find yourself feeling? And how to find ways to join the activities when it suits you at a comfort zone you're willing to be, and still be included, welcomed and appreciated in the group?

Sounds like an issue many others than you are struggling with too, what an opportunity to find ways to build connection and sensitivity among facilitators, and peers alike.

Reply
Mari
13/8/2014 10:03:53

Ah, sorry I missed this before, but there it is as clear as can be (quote picked up from Carla's post):

"In this, JOE is also very clear, sharp and absolutely respectful and constructive when he states: “My plea to teachers and facilitators is this: If you're going to perform rituals, conduct group meditation, use techniques like those from The Work that Reconnects, or compel people to sing, please make these activities genuinely optional: be absolutely clear about what you're offering and what it entails, and be absolutely clear that it's absolutely OK to not join in.” and also “But this is part of the challenge of truly welcoming diversity and creating a genuinely inclusive culture. To do so we must be wary of the danger of confirmation bias, cultivate empathy and actively invite - and deeply engage with - critical feedback and different perspectives.”

Yeah, cultivating also the welfare of those whose values and comfort zones are not alike to someone else's in the room :)

Reply
Noelia
13/8/2014 10:57:49

Interesting topic indeed! Thanks, Joe, and all the rest who have contributed up til now.

My two cents, from my personal experience at the EPT:

Sometimes, some of the activities felt very good to me. I felt lighter and happier after group singing, or holding hands, or doing the zombie, or looking into someone's eyes for longer than I would have done otherwise. Some other times, however, it did not work for me, I had the experience that there was too much of a "spiritual ritual" flavor to them. Sometimes I did not join, most times I was in the middle of it and just went with it, believing that the intention of the facilitator was good, and that we were all learning and experimenting.

In my case, the experience depended greatly on how the facilitator lead the activities. Some of them you could tell they were really feeling a deep connection and joy, and I can understand they are willing and happy to share it, I guess because for them is something valuable and it can be argued that some of these activities helps community building, as Peter explained very well. And I think it does in some cases, with some people. For some others, staying late drinking beer is also a good way of community building and contributing to a project with some insights in an environment they feel more at ease with: smaller groups, less formal setting... That works well with me, for example. :)

I have the feeling it's more about personal styles of facilitation, and the spirituality of the facilitator, that can show through their leading and give rise to reluctance, because many of us have had very negative experience with religion and spirituality and want it out the game. But we all have our own spiritual stance, and should be able to be comfortable with each others' and welcoming this diversity too, without making spirituality central in our culture or impregnate our sessions.

For me it was a very interesting experience to be there in these different situations, with different facilitating styles and techniques, and see how they worked or did not work for me. I don't think there is a style or set of techniques that is good or appropriate and another that should be avoided, either way. I think every course, meeting or whatever is unique and the singing, holdings hands, etc. are tools that the facilitator can use if deemed appropriate to their purpose.

Whatever the style and techniques chosen, I think it would be helpful to clarify their purpose, acknowledge explicitly that they can feel uncomfortable for some people, and make sure no one feels the obligation to join in. And welcome different proposals that may come up from the participants. That way the participants can choose freely whether they want to go with it. We definitely need a culture change, but I guess many of us are not clear in which direction this kind of activities are moving us and are wary. But precisely because of that, sometimes I found it very interesting to jump into unfamiliar activities and techniques and observe how I felt, and how the activity affected the rest of the session.

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Noelia
13/8/2014 10:59:05

Second part! :) ---------

Facilitating is not easy, in my own very little experience, and I am very grateful for the work and example I got from those who stepped up for it. I did not give it a try during the EPT but had some experiences out of that setting, and one thing I can say: you have to be able to observe very well and be very flexible and ready to dismiss your previous plan and adapt your style if it does not work with the group involved, at the time involved. For that, feedback is important.

Being facilitated is not easy either. :) Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of uncomfortable situations, unable to speak your mind up or leave for whatever reason. For example for me it felt quite uncomfortable when we had to go the full round saying something, about how we felt or choosing a single word for communicating about a complex feeling or idea. I guess I might have said, nothing to say here!, but it does feel daunting when you are in the middle of a really big circle and everybody is making their contribution. So for me group size is something important too. I'm not used to big gatherings and tend to step back and not speak up. Some techniques would have definitely worked better for me in a smaller group.

I wish I was empowered enough to be able to interrupt a big group session and say, hey, this does not work for me now, I'm feeling uncomfortable. This is too bigger a challenge, it feels weird, or I don't see the point, or I'm feeling unsocial at the moment, I don't want to hug you!, or I'm afraid of religion taking over permaculture, or whatever, and as a group react and redesign the session to make it satisfying for as many people as possible.

If participants were able to do that and facilitators ready to adapt, in every situation the outcome would be different, because each group is different, each meeting is different, each moment is different... And I don't see the point in saying this should be like this or like that in the abstract.

I say let's keep trying and sharing how we feel. :)

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judith lashbrook
13/8/2014 13:42:39

Reply
sandra
16/8/2014 04:10:04

hi all,

before i actually manage to sit down and write a reply to this inspiring and thought-provoking thread, i discussed this with a friend who then found this:
http://permaculture.org.uk/sites/default/files/jay-uploads/permie_designer.jpg

:-)

more soon,
sandra

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moni
22/8/2014 11:16:20

thanks, Sandra. sometimes a (or several) picture says more than 1000 words, doesn´t it?
thanks Joe, for starting this discussion (which was/is, by the way, a revolving subject in discussions on german pc gatherings!!). the sheer quantity of responses show that you hit the nail!
I remember a course (me as a participant) not long ago, where not a single game or song was part of the teaching - I only realized it at the end and thought "whow! ist is possible to facilitate a course WITHOUT all this and being a wonderful, inspirational course at the same time." this encouraged me to follow MY personal teaching style and leave it up to the people (the students or the co-teachers) to play along with more playful methods. Indeed, this is the best thing that can happen on courses: a DIVERSE team of teachers, differnet personalities, different styles, so that every learning type can dip in where they can connect with - and at the same time there is opportunity to step out of the comfort zone and try something new, how Noélia had put it in her response. so, there is no good or bad or no 100% secure solution, but only respect, mindfulness - and humour:-)

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Jeroen link
16/8/2014 12:19:29

Finally someone has written down what i felt for a long time. Thanks for that. I hope this will lead to a atmosphere during permaculture events in which everyone feels comfortable . Very important is that permaculture is accessible for people that are just not into those things, which i think is the large majority. In the end, when finite resources are gone, everything needs to be permaculture and to accomplish that we need everyone! BTW, was not at an EPT-event, but i've attended at quite a lot of permaculture events. One of those was a teachers training from Rosemary Morrow (Austria 2011) and the one of the things I remember the most was "the right to pass"...

Reply
Henrique
17/8/2014 01:41:29

Reply
Pietje Puck
17/8/2014 03:51:16

Thank you for your well written article.

I feel exactly the same way.

I really dislike the practices you mentioned and the bad part is that people are willing to put peer pressure on you.

It's hard to stay seated when everybody stands up to join into a group thing, and you know it doesn't feel right for you to join, and it doesn't feel right to stay seated neither.
Because I stay very upset with myself for days if I give up on my own right to chose or to be trustworthy towards myself, or to value my own needs first, Idecided not to give in on peer pressure anymore.
That is an act of self love, and it should be met with utter respect from others, who will likely be annoyed unfortunately, because of many reasons.
I can deal with their discomfort and even respect it, they should do the same for me.
I hope a clean up act in permaculture will be born out of your blog, with basic teachings, basic knowledge, and forvthose who are interested, seperate hours and lessons for hocus pocus, that you can voluntere into, and that shouldn't bare the name permaculture in my humble opinion.
I'm really greatful for your posting, thank you thank you, and thank you again.

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Graham Wood
17/8/2014 16:49:57

For me Joe this important subject is all about the "People Care" ethic - its an issue where those from certain backgrounds or upbringing could be made to feel uncomfortable - in effect excluded.
I appreciate that for many the various ritual / spiritual elements can enhance the learning experience.
BUT .. for some it could even be dangerous and make them become ill if its not handled appropriately.
Those for example who have conditions such as ADHD, Asperger, BiPolar, etc can have quite adverse subconscious reactions to such unfamiliar types of ritual or intense spiritual discussion, that can then manifest physically in strong stress, anxiety, and panic states, or even psychosis.
This is not just a theory because I've seen it actually happen to people on several occasions to a variety of degrees.
And yes - it will cause some to be excluded who could otherwise bring their contribution in to Permaculture.
*** Pls feel free to contact me for examples.

Some have said "I think we often need to be pushed a little out of our comfort zone to learn." , and "I'm happy to be pushed away from the edge so long as I get some warning" .... I'd agree and add "... so long as not pushed OVER THE EDGE ... "

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Stef
18/8/2014 01:38:25

Great post Joe, respectfully articulated. This theme has been going in for a while now (the most popular PRI post was about this) - I wonder what may be the next steps from here. Would be really up for interviewing you about this for my radio/podcast show www.mixcloud.com/21stcenturypermaculture and thanks (after all this) still accepting my Mindfulness workshop for the coming UK convergence (there'll be no spirituality in it, but may be confronting, and easily slammed as Woo woo)

Reply
Dawn
18/8/2014 04:19:21

Hello Everyone,
This is an important issue to address and I have appreciated reading the posts. As a starting point taking 'the problem is the solution' attitude could be productive. These ritual offerings are a yield produced from the development of permaculture and it is clear that it is something that is going on all over the place in permaculture as well as in many other groups. Many people these days are looking for new ways to find and express their connection to the mystery of life (and many others are not). Being with nature is likely to evoke this desire in at least some of the people involved. I noticed feeling uncomfortable by how these offerings were being referred to in a dismissive way. I guess this might be a reflection of how you felt dismissed by being drawn in without your consent.
I have a couple of thoughts to offer into the mix.
Radical Self-Care
Clarifying and modeling the choice not to participate in everything on offer could be demonstrated early on, not only spoken about, but embodied and practiced by facilitators who are trained to deliver this important key tenet of Permaculture. Championing and practicing the ability to say 'no' as well as 'yes', may seem pretty basic but that is where a lot of us are at around defining and differentiating ourselves.
Elephants
As a holistic and inclusive body of work I am sure that permaculture will find a way forwards, great to invite the ‘spirit-elephant’ out of the corner, and I hope that we will not just rename it 'hippy-woo woo’ and send it back again.
There are many ways to acknowledge the beauty and miracle of nature and invite presence and group bonding without creating a situation where people feel pressurized to conform. Training facilitators to introduce and context this element in a way that is inclusive, respectful and offers clarity about participation and choice is a way to go. x Dawn
Dawn x

Reply
Graham Wood
18/8/2014 04:26:09

We know in nature that the "edge effect" is where good interactions take place, but edges have a "depth" and beneficial interactions across edges fade the further its pushed across the edge.
I think this is the same for people - we can gain insight and benefits from interacting with other cultures rituals and spiritual elements, but should not feel forced into full immersion as this will loose the edge effect the further they are pushed out of their own comfort zone.

Reply
Dave Jackson link
21/8/2014 02:04:49

I have read through the comments both here and in one of the facebook pages that this is discussed in depth on. I have experienced and used many of the things described in Therapy groups,

I would echo the comment above that there is a danger that some people could be pushed into anxiety states including panic attacks or even psychosis. At the same time, I also know that a lot of good can come from them.

I have not done the PDC myself yet but do have some limited experience of teaching. A phrase that is important to me (coming from a therapy/nursing background) is, "Informed Consent." At the institute where I trained in massage and aromatherapy, one year they had a female nurse came on the course and when it came to the first of the practical days walked out and left the course because she had not realised that she would have to get undressed and experience massage as well as giving it.

Now, most of us might have worked this out from the literature but it was not stated explicitly. I don't know anything about possible cultural or religious reasons for this. They really aren't that important. What is important is that she was being asked to do something she hadn't signed up for.

We need as Joe has said, to be absolutely clear what we are asking people to do and what the alternatives are, be that sitting out of an activity, sitting in the room but not taking part, going down the pub for a pint with other like minded souls etc.

When running therapy groups, I and others would often introduce an activity based on something that had occurred in the group during the session.

I think in teaching permaculture, we also need that freedom to be flexible at times, however if introducing something that may make part of the group uncomfortable we also need to explain clearly enough that all participants can make an informed decision whether to take part or not.

I would just add, that I also see a place for courses where some of these more esoteric (I may think of a better word/phrase later) are on the agenda from the start and participants sign up for them in full knowledge of what may be involved before they start.

Dave

Reply
Klara Hansson
12/3/2015 10:22:24

Hi,
I took part in the EPT and was one of the 'long term facilitators'. What a ride!

I'd like to put in some thoughts on how facilitation was handled in this specific setting (the EPT), as it was both separated from and very different from teaching a PDC or other PC courses.

I chose to step into the facilitation role because I figured I would learn fast, speed up my personal succession, get to try out different methods together with other more skilled facilitators. At the same time thinking that now I was part of a group of teachers who were all capable of both participating and, on a meta level, observing what was going, much like Noelia wrote in her comment above. Seriously, how many of us get the chance to step up in front of 50 unknown people and try to understand what each and everyone of them need, at the same time as you are steering the group towards a mutual but sometimes rather fluffy goal? It's a f-cking amazing challenge!

My thought (and feeling) was that we were all in for some experimental sessions during these meetings, and that it was a great idea to try a wide range of facilitation techniques specifically because we were NOT teaching permie rookies. We were amongst more or less well established teachers.

Looking back, I can see that the facilitation team/system 2/Process didn't always manage to check in with the group to see how this was all working out, but that is also part of being in a "learning partnership", non? :)

So for what it's worth, in the discussion of facilitation in relation to the EPT, I know that both I and others learned tonnes both about the back seat steering and planning and about the up front facilitation needed in groups as diverse as this one. Thank you all for giving us the opportunity!

//klara, Sweden

Reply
Stephen Meloche
25/8/2017 13:12:33

AMEN AMEN AMEN!!! Lol

What a "spot-on" article. I'm a scientist (meteorology & ecology) with a degree in theology! I recently obtained my PDC after a two week residential course and the amount of spiriuality, peer pressure and pseudo science used in that time was seriously worrying.

Fortunately, I'm an old man! Lol...I have had many years to settle my own unique "spiritual" beliefs...which are not for general public consumption!

I mentioned, countless times during the PDC course, that as we were asked to leave our shoes at the door before entering the classroom...we should all also leave our religion at the door. Religion often became a stumbling block, when dealing with dynamics in the group...and I believe a purely secular "neutral" approach should be encouraged as a far more fair foundation for all participants.

There were numerous times when I felt I was being "proselytised" into a new age cult with several "modules" of the PDC course having nothing whatsoever to do with Permaculture. Yet we were not allowed to opt out of them and that made for some very uncomfortable sessions.

It was known that I was actively practising "tolerance" of the numerous religious beliefs in the class, for the sake of learning Permaculture and the goal of obtaining the PDC. But my understanding of tolerance does not include the mandatory participation in "sacred" dance, singing or indigenous spiritual rituals. I observed but did not take part.

It's time for permies to "stand up for science" before the spiritual "Taliban" purge an immensely valuable movement of rational thought and scientific scrutiny. Much like what has happened in other "well educated" societies, such as Iran, Pakistan and (my own country) America.

It's a pretty stark view of the future, I know...but the rejection of everything we have gained since the "Enlightenment" is at risk. Free thought, freedom of conscience, freedom to question authority and hold them to account.

I really look forward to more open minded debate in Permaculture and am grateful that I was given this web blog! Keep up the good work!

Reply
Leo link
30/8/2017 09:45:21

Hi Stephen!
Awesome to see that after three years the subject of Joe's blog post is still evoking strong emotions. The key word in Joe's profile is "humanist". Key in David Holmgren's design of permaculture design philosophy is "humanist". Perhaps to "stand up for science" we need to bring the humanist roots of permaculture back to centre stage where they belong.

I'm game for standing up for science! So what's next, Stephen?
I can contribute by making this subject a prominent issue at the European Permaculture Network. Re-igniting the discussion on education & curriculum would be appropriate on this platform.

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Steve Hart
28/8/2017 03:50:47

Hi new PDC graduate..where was this PDC and taught by who ? There is a wide variety of teachers and courses around the world. Many are very weak with divergent tendencies. Swaying way off the original curricula. The warning must go out "buyer beware" assess very carefully all courses on offer. There are a handful that do offer clean courses. One of the leaders in these is Robyn Francis www.permaculture.com.au Also Alan Enzo of Nashville offers a good online course. www.permaculture.education.com. Scott Pittman https://permaculture.org/about/teaching-team/ is also at top of the list.

Steve Hart
stevenlawrencehart@gmail.com

Reply
Stephen Meloche
28/8/2017 09:51:53

Hello Steve,

I'd rather not mention the institution, as it's not relevant.The PDC was a residential course with a British Permaculture Association accredited College in Scotland.

The curriculum was well constructed and relevant to the UK, but the inclusion of one type of spirituality caused unnecessary distraction and had a divisive effect rather than an inclusive one.

I was commenting about the pervading culture within the Permaculture movement and not individual institutions or teachers. This is a problem that influences many parts of our society, not just Permaculture. Progressive, objective, rational thought is the only way forward...not going backwards with paganism and subjectivity.

Thanks for the reply. I hope the subject becomes more widely discussed openly and with respect.

Stephen

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