I don’t know if their efforts on this project help them to negotiate these challenges, but I do see a correlation between the bravery and integrity of Tibetan farmers as they exercise compassion in the face of overwhelming odds and the personal strength it takes to face hard times – no matter the reason. Might it be that the simple work of practicing compassion informs us about ourselves and our own ability to manage hardships?

I can only speak for myself when I say that my work on behalf of Tibetans has certainly been rewarding on a personal level.  My interactions and observations of their selfless resolve and steadfast dedication have given me great strength to endure my own rites of passage. Simply the strength it takes to inhabit a compassionate state of mind in the face of tragedy and loss can open a doorway to great possibility and triumph. It has been inspiring to see the character and resolve of our team. Compassion works!

Take weeds, which have been a recurring theme in our blog.  Say a small, seemingly harmless, green and often flowering plant unexpectedly surfaces in a meticulously manicured garden.  The traditional solution has been to wage war, turning to herbicides, killing the “weed” and compromising the soil that supports our vegetable gardens into which we have poured our sweat, tears, and (lets face it!) money.  When we use these chemicals to solve one problem, a fragile situation is created and frequently succeeded by a new problem.

Similarly, when governments have disagreements, the predictable outcome is the declaration of enemies, a show force, and sometimes war.  We seek to rid ourselves of unfriendly ideas and governments just as easily as we turn to Roundup to eliminate weeds.

Can we see these problems as resources and opportunities, instead of waging wars and creating a new cycle of problems? When we reframe our issues in the context of opportunities, the stage is set for successful new connections to be made between opposing sides and ideas.

Pioneer weed species emerge as an indication that essential nutrients are missing from the soil that we use to grow our food; they appear on behalf of a natural restoration effort.  And in the case of governments, perhaps there is wisdom in the ideas that we so vehemently resist or suppress.

By re-imagining our problems as solutions, we can refocus the energy we exert against natural systems in ways that are productive and inclusive.  Suddenly, we may find ourselves facing a different paradigm: an abundance of resources

Well, now that I’ve been working with the team at Sustainability in Exile, I’ve come to learn more and see why permaculture makes sense.  In fact, it made me wonder why the whole world hadn’t adopted permaculture years ago.

If you’re unfamiliar, here’s a brief explanation: Basically, permaculture is about designing an efficient system for humans, plants and animals to flourish and become sustainable. It’s an agricultural practice that takes a holistic approach. A farmer begins by observing how different parts of the system relate, then designs a plan to nurture abundance based on the working relationships that already exist. Underlying this process are three core principles: care for the earth, care for people, and make sure all have a fair share.

The current industrial system model is broken. Monoculture farming depletes the land of nutrients, which makes one wonder how nutritious any of the food that comes out of it can be. With permaculture, nutrients are replenished because of harmonious relationships in the ecosystem.

Change must inevitably happen. It’s up to us to learn from what hasn’t worked and decide if we’re going to make the change something sustainable. Permaculture design is one way to achieve sustainability.

Beneath the view that farming must be sustainable economically, ecologically, and socially, lies the foundation on which its future rests: farming must be personally rewarding and truly enjoyable. In other words, farming should (and can) be joyful work.

Indeed, we can grow food in ways that unleash creativity and collaboration, while requiring much less energy input, labor and expense. Admittedly, this is no easy task, given how fragile our current farm base is in the US and elsewhere. But it is essential work, especially at a time when we need to find ways of encouraging young farmers to succeed their parents and elders.

Fortunately, we can cultivate a new generation of competent, confident, and joyful farmers.

While conventional methods require use of tractors, plows, and other modern (expensive) tools and techniques, people like Sepp Holzer and Geoff Lawton have challenged conventional assumptions, and have shed labor, reduced costs, improved ecological health, and produced good food and valuable resources.

In exile settlements across southern India, Tibetan farmers are also exploring a variety of creative approaches to their agriculture, blending subsistence growing and eating with market farming.

They have begun to design farms built of “guilds” of various plants, animals, composts, and other resources. They strategically locate these guilds to optimize interactions and reduce labor. The result is a win-win-win scenario: diverse and abundant productivity, economic resilience, and healthy ecosystems.

These delightfully impressive and replicable examples of farming with nature inspire what is possible for farmers around the world to build a sustainable, enjoyable agriculture.

by Christine Callo

In the past week, I’ve been involved in two gatherings on the topic of compassion, an idea that has been on my mind lately. The first was a talk by Tibetan monk Arjia Rinpoche, who founded the Tibetan Center for Compassion and Wisdom in California. He spoke about how compassion requires training of the mind and letting-go of the negativity that often inhabit our thoughts.

His words reminded me that no matter what is going on physically, whatever natural or man-made disasters may strike, however exhausting the journey, we can choose hope and compassion over despair. Compassion always begins with ourselves.

The second event was Seattle’s Compassionate Action Network’s (CAN) day-long celebration of the cooperation and empathy that our neighbors share every day across the city. Listening to those stories, I was reminded that the unwavering, compassionate mind sustains.

For me, the stories of my neighbors and the wisdom of Arjia Rinpoche provided much needed nourishment. I felt encouraged and rejuvenated. And I recalled the compassionate work being done by the Tibetan refugee farmers in this documentary.

With decades of soil degradation from inorganic and monocropping farming methodologies, it will take some years for farmers to re-nourish the land through mindfulness of the very Earth that feeds them, but they have hope. Their imperative is not just about demonstrating sustainable agriculture but about cultivating compassion in spite of all that threatens to erode it.

Sometimes personal change can seem overwhelming, but I am inspired by the Tibetan people, their resilience in exile, their compassion for The Earth and all living beings, and the way they grow their food.  I have learned that taking baby steps is a realistic way for me to move forward.

I just signed up for a P-Patch spot in my neighborhood. I’m looking forward to meeting some new friends, building my community and enjoying the new adventure in growing my own food!

A P-Patch is a community shared garden where one can have a small space to grow their own vegetables. For more information about P-Patches check out: http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/ppatch/.

There is also a wonderful organization that will match up people who want to garden with homeowners who have the garden space: http://www.urbangardenshare.org/.

You can also find small urban farms popping up in unused space in neighborhoods  around Seattle. Check out Alley Cat Acres, for more information about one urban farming project: http://www.alleycatacres.com/.

For an apartment dweller like me, these are great ways to get involved with other people who want to grow and eat fresh, healthy food, food that will sustain all of us into the future.

The goals of the Tibetan Organics program: healthy and sustainable food sources

The issue may be one of balance and proportion. Too many plants of one kind can crowd out other species. This is where stewardship in the garden and on the land becomes artful. Observing the interaction of different plant species and their affect on the surrounding environment can give rise to new ideas about how to incorporate, include, influence and nurture an edible, healthy, and diverse landscape.

“Weeds” tend to be hardy plants. They can tolerate heat and other weather extremes and begin to propagate in soil that is dry or lacking nutrients. As these “weeds” begin to take root, they can fix nitrogen and enable the soil to hold these much needed nutrients. So, in the case of an area that has exposed soil, “weeds” are a much needed introductory species, preparing the way for more moderately tolerant species.

I also like to think of “weeds” as the misunderstood species that hold hidden keys to our own well-being. They may have undiscovered medicinal qualities — Dandelion root makes an excellent tea that balances blood-sugar levels for example. Purslane is high in antioxidants and vitamins e and c. Stinging nettle makes a tea that reduces the swelling caused by arthritis. It may be true that every plant under the sun has benefit to human beings, animals and other plants.

In the case of Tibetans, plant medicine is a deep tradition. Tibetans enjoy an extremely successful medicinal tradition dating back centuries. There is a movement to expand this knowledge by discovering medicinal uses of plants that are not native to the Himalayas. Why not leverage the sustainable methods of Tibetan wisdom in a new context? Like Buddhism, Tibetan medicine has links to Ayurveda and other healing traditions. Read about this idea here:
http://www.men-tsee-khang.org/publication/medbook/newbook.htm

Or perhaps you may want to plan a trip of your own: http://www.yuthog.org/.

Recommended reading: Handbook of Edible Plants and Weeds by Fern J. Ritchie.

Our emergent permaculture design (and sustainability) practices can indeed take time, take no time at all, and can be timely.