Reflections from a hammock

The hot season is rapidly approaching and the nightly routine of sweaters hats and socks has hopefully come to an end. Now is the time to start making the most of my afternoon siesta time, digest the wonderful pad thai heaped full of garden fresh veggies that Kea prepared for us and the visiting college kids from Bellingham, WA, and take the time to write a bit more of a detailed update. It must be the right moment because for once the keys on my computer are not sticking and I can type fluidly. The zinnias and sunflowers that we planted from seed in Nov. are in full bloom, bananas and papayas are falling off the trees and our gardens are bursting with deliciousness in every color shape and form. I "performed" my first song last night at open mic night which took place at You Sabbai, our neighbors natural building and thai cooking center on the hill behind us. It wasn't the most fluid rendition of Mason Jenning's Buddha song, but I had back-up support and a light hearted audience. I have spent the last two days on rickety Taiga-
Thai style scaffolding working on the second story of the cottage applying a 2nd coat of mud plaster before I can head up the really fun part, creating a finish natural plaster coat with some form of natural pigment added. I have also been sanding windows and doors, gave up attempting to make teak (extremely hard wood) look presentable by hand and broke out the power sander. In between I have been conjuring up lots of artsy fartsy projects including making a mirror with a sculpted mosaic frame, light shades with fabric bought at the market, and antiquing a beautifully carved wood piece I found broken at a wood shop and got a great deal on. I have taken on the responsibility of beautifying the property and adding bits of charm as most of the focus the last two years have been building the necessities and setting up gardens and planting fruit trees. That is not to say the place is charmless, because I wouldn't be here if there wasn't wonderful energy and charm, but there is plenty of space for artistic projects on a large and small scale.
It is great to be physically active again, two weeks sitting in a classroom environment took its toll on my body, but well worth it because so much was filled into my little head, making my brain want to explode with an overdose of incredible, inspiring, essential concepts and information that is vital to our future and harmonious existence on this planet.
To begin, a basic, surface level definition of permaculture is creating holistic, productive, sustainable systems that provide food and shelter in a way that mimics nature by following a set of design principles. We have a brilliant gent named Bill Mollison to thank for this concept, combining the words permanent and culture/agriculture to create permaculture. Since it was first actively brought forth in the 70's, the concept of permaculture has been evolving not just as a system to sustainably grow food, but an integrated way to live our lives.
The integration and interconnection of natural systems is what deeply resonated with me, opening my mind to so many realizations of the intricacies and brilliance of nature and how she works. All living and non-living beings and things that are derived from nature serve a purpose, whether it is visible on the surface level or not. Besides the obvious impacts humans have laden on the earth, the more complex systems that we are disturbing to me, is the scary part. This is where the evolution of permaculture, if followed and applied as a way of life could help immensely in the regeneration of the earth and it's inhabitants. Since permaculture is a design science, it follows a somewhat rigid outline. The first is a set of ethics. Earth Care, People Care and Resource Share. Without mindfully respecting these basic concepts, the science and system will fail. We must protect and rehabilitate our natural resources.... Old growth forests, wetlands, coral reefs, estuaries and water supplies, and degraded land to name a few. We must also heal the people and empower and educate so we can build a healthy, cooperative relationship with each other and nature. Lastly, sharing our precious resources so all can enjoy and prosper. Abundance for all is not a far fetched idea. The only limits of resources we have is our imagination. It just takes realigning our needs and wants and usage of resources.

Following permaculture ethics is the basic principles that outline how to start the 'design process'.
1.) The problem is the solution: you have slugs in your garden? Get a duck. Your slug problem is solved and you benefit from the compost and soil tillage and weeding the duck does for you.
2.) Multi-functions: for something to be used to its full potential it should have a least 3 functions. Ex) Mulch stops weed growth, holds water, and adds numerous nutrients and life to the soil.
3.)No pollution/no waste: What is waste? Something that goes unused. Rethinking where our "waste" goes, and if it can be reused and benefited somewhere else.
4.)Relative location: When designing, putting systems in place where they are useful and function efficiently with the least amount of energy while meeting all needs.
5.)Using biological resources and appropriate technology: Appropriate technology and alternative technology can go hand in hand, but also could end up on opposite ends of the spectrum. Obviously, wind, sun or hydro power are fantastic alternatives to grid electricity, but may not be appropriate for a certain situation. Digging a foundation, dam or swale by hand/animal power may be the most environmentally friendly, but not necessarily efficient. The input outweighs the environmental output. Being aware and making conscious decisions and considering all options usually can lead to a balanced, efficient and effective method of accomplishing our needs.
6.) Utilization of space.) Nature is our number one teacher here, and taking a walk into the forest and noticing all the different layers of vegetation growing and interacting can teach us so much about how we can redesign our garden beds and man made landscapes. Trees create a canopy layer or over story, smaller trees and shrubs create the understory, many plants make up a fern/herb layer, then there is a ground cover layer, a mulch and organic layer, under that a michoryzeal layer, and if that is not enough, think about all the climbing vine and creepy crawly layers!! The more niches and layers that are filled, the more supportive systems we are creating. Insects and birds will flourish, pollination increases, diseases and fungus are balanced out etc....
7.) Accepting Change!! Maybe one of the most important elements to remember. Nothing in nature is stagnant. Life is not stagnant.

Without even dipping into the actual science and application of these principles, I find that my eyes and mind have expanded. I could spend hours telling you about soil complexities, how deforestation may be the earth's number one threat, as forests hold in nutrients and organic matter and are continuously rebuilding the most important element to our survival. Healthy soil, to grow healthy food, to grow healthy beings. How forests regulate rain and drought and give sanctuary to an unfathomable number of species of animal and plant life. I have a whole new appreciation and understanding of all those nasty thistles and "weeds" growing in my field, and can now look at them as dynamic accumulators: Plants that dig their roots deep into the ground to bring nitrogen and other nutrients to the surface to heal sick, dead soil. I knew there was a reason every time the backpack sprayer was busted out.

I have pondered why we have gotten to this state as humans, derived from the earth, but to have separated ourselves and tried to control nature, abusing what we are part of. Some could argue that we must heal the earth first, before we heal the people, and I was part of this thinking in the beginning, my reasoning being, "what do we have if we don't have our beautiful world to live in". As Christian and Ethan so eloquently brought new perspectives up though, I have been shifting my views on that to realize healing people, empowering people to reconnect with their natural environment will start to heal the planted at the same time. If we only take the actions needed to rebuild soil, clean the air and water and find alternatives for oil without integrating and reconstructing communities to become healthy, wholesome, respectful and harmonious we will end up in the same viscous cycle we have come to find ourselves in. With this I must put my work clothes back on, and sink my hands into my bucket of mud before it dries up and I have to rework the whole mud pit. Tomorrow Lean and I leave for a border run to Laos to renew our visas, a 15 hour bus ride away to Vientiane, and hopefully the chance to see a bit of Laos culture and the great Mekong River.
Life is such a whirlwind full of possibilities and surprises. I feel so grateful to have these opportunities and am so thankful for all of the amazing and supportive people in my life. Keep smiling and enjoying every present moment.

This is Ping. She may be one of the brightest,
in tune 3 year olds I know, and has a very culturally diverse
environment to learn from. Sometimes I think she wonders
who her dad is though.....



The Taiwan crew serving up some authentic fare,
hopefully I can learn the secrets to their pot stickers and
Taiwanese pancakes while I am there!



Many thanks to our wonderful teachers,
Ethan and Christian




OOh, the compostables before our
claim to fame. I really do have real cow shit on
my hat, Meaghan is a banana and leah is the kicker,
road kill....

More to come... I promise......

10 days in silence

Welcome 2009. Slipping in so quietly, closing the curtain and saying goodbye to 2008. My thoughts were with all friends and family in all different time zones - which essentially means I celebrated the birth of a new year 5 different times, being awake and aware for all of them, but without a raise of a glass, a midnight hug or hooray, or even a passing glance. I was enjoying the new year 7 days into my ten day meditation. On the outside I was serene looking, sitting cross legged, my eyes closed and my demeanor most likely appeared calm and present. On the inside though, my thoughts were probably bouncing off the sides of my brain looking for some sort of outlet to be free to run rampant. My physical body feeling like it got sentenced to life inside a stone Buddha statue, crying for release and a good stretch. My meditation mat #59 became my best friend, molding to my ass cheeks as I logged over 100 hours in ten days fighting off the feeling of numbness. I know that probably sounds torturous, but in the middle of the third day a thought floated through my mind that indicated I may make it, enjoy it, and take a bit of insight and/or enlightenment from all this self-inflicted "torture".

Here is a brief description of vipassana meditation:
"To see things as they truly are, impermanent, and aware in each present moment. It is a simple and direct way to explore body, mind and heart. A balanced awareness grounded in the present moment leads to a growing sensitivity and understanding of the nature of life allowing for wisdom and compassion to emerge. Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body, and that continuously interconnect and condition the life of the mind. It is this observation-based, self-exploratory journey to the common root of mind and body that dissolves mental impurity, resulting in a balanced mind full of love and compassion."

Each day that passed felt so long that three days in the "outside" world could fit into one day of my new reality. We rose at 4 AM, had a two hour morning sit, had breakfast and a break, another 3 hour sit, lunch and a rest, a 4 hour sit to a brief "tea time and light fruit" to another 3 hours of lecture and meditation. Some hours were more structured than others giving more guidance, and as the days went on the deeper and deeper the instructions would go. I was so tired the first few days I slept every break possible, wolfing down our simple meals to try to get in as much rest as possible. After the third day a bit of a change took place and I felt more energized, my body still stiff and aching, but I realized I did not need all the sleep I thought I did. I started walking on breaks, becoming more and more aware of the subtle breeze blowing through my pant legs, or the bricks gritty against my bare feet.
At times my thoughts raced about going on wild adventures and so far away from the present moment, something I was really trying to to grasp. Being present in this reality. I objectively studied my conscious patters and realized that I do spend sooo much time living in the future. Planning and daydreaming of all I want to experience, but in such a romanticized way. This is not always a bad trait, but we have one precious short life and I would like to enjoy the present for all it has to offer.
I was eventually able to calm my mind, focus on present sensations within the body, good and bad, objectively experience them without attachments, cravings or aversions and watch them pass. Dhamma, the universal law of impermanence. Everything changes and if we can learn to accept this law, not get swept up in the highs and lows, but remain equanimous to situations this will in turn lead to a life without drastic miseries, but harmony which will resonate and be beneficial to all beings.
Returning to the real world was quite the trip, a sensory overload spending 3 days in Chiang Mai, quite the bustling little city. I felt and still a bit feel, like a walking ball of vibrating molecules. Bursting into giggles at "ordinary" occurrences, and having great energized chats with friends from the farm I have run into. My sleep schedule is still erratical, I have been waking up between 330AM and 5, tossing and turning, then yes, returning to my morning meditation schedule. I doubt that schedule will last two long, but will relish in it while it does. I have by no means reached the depth of the subconscious that truly frees you from impurities and miseries, but have a new and inspiring technique and truth to apply in my daily life which has already changed how I view so many situations.
Tomorrow I deal with visa extensions which are getting more and more restrictive and EXPENSIVE, then head back to the serenity of Panya and nature!!! 3 days of peace and preparations and 25 + people arrive for the permaculture design course. A very intense 2 weeks in the classroom.
May happiness be upon all of you