Last Sunday, our service focused on working to design our society with life, rather than humans, at the center. Rather than thinking of our own human interests as the most important factor, what might the world look like if all of life, of life thriving and continuing, including but not limited to human life, were at the center of our planning and our action? I thought I might give a specific example of what I think this would look like.

One problem we face right now is that of sufficient food for some families with limited financial resources. In a human-centered design, one solution is food banks. I am so grateful for all the food banks and for all the people who support food banks with time and donations. Food banks save lives and ameliorate much human suffering. And food banks are essentially re-distribution centers, taking the plenty which cannot be used and providing it to others who need it. Food banks, however, do not change the conditions that lead to too much concentrated among some and too little needed by others. The inequity is smoothed out but not ultimately solved.

Another solution, though, is one that puts life and not only human life at the center. Permaculture is a form of agriculture that seeks to benefit humans and the land upon which they grow food. It is a way of thinking that seeks to change our human mindset about what it means to live from the land. “Permaculture design is a system of assembling conceptual, material, and strategic components in a pattern which functions to benefit life in all its forms. The philosophy behind permaculture is one of working with, rather than against, nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless action; of looking at systems in all their
functions, rather than asking only one yield of them; and allowing systems to demonstrate their own evolutions. As the basis of permaculture is beneficial design, it can be added to all other ethical training and skills, and has
the potential of taking a place in all human endeavors.”

There are some links below so you can read more. What do you think? May we find as many ways as possible to live our human lives in harmony with the rest of nature, as you remember that you are loved, you are worthy, you are welcome, and you are needed. May you feel it so, and may it be so.

Bruce Mau video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG3DZ4BteLc

https://www.permaculture.co.uk/what-is-permaculture

https://permacultureprinciples.com/

https://www.tenthacrefarm.com/what-is-permaculture/

Blessings, Rev. Rita