By Ischa Lea
Sunburst’s founder, Norman Paulsen, once wrote, “If God is indeed all things, then all images should be treated with respect. With this in mind, waste not that which God has created. Be temperate in all pursuits.” The virtue of Temperance and good Earth stewardship were singular threads that wove together an intricate tapestry of expression in a recent Intro to Permaculture event sponsored by Sunburst.
The Permaculture teachings that were presented are predicated on people living and working harmoniously in loving and respectful relationships with each other, with the Earth, with all life forms, and with the world at large. Warren Brush, internationally known Permaculture expert, was the presenter.
All ancestors from the four cardinal directions were called upon and honored. We petitioned for their guidance and blessings as we completed a hilltop Wheel of Life. There, a 360-degree vista mirrored the circular Earth as we projected future endeavors for Sunburst. Like tiny hummingbirds, we each drank from the nectar of this undertaking, aware that we were reenacting an ancient sacred ritual symbolic of harmony, balance, and peaceful interaction among all living beings.
The Wheel represented the sacred cycle of life (birth, death, rebirth), its four cardinal directions, as well as its connecting points for Mother Earth and Father Sky. The center represented us, and our connection with the four elements (earth, air, fire and water), with each direction offering its own lessons.
The Twelve Virtues and Eightfold Path have been the backbone of Sunburst’s teachings and good stewardship of the Earth has been a practice for decades. It was evident that the concept of Fair Share in Permaculture embodied beautifully the virtue of Charity. Perseverance and Equanimity are critical factors necessary for maintaining sustainable, peaceful communities.
As we learnt the logistics of building a compost heap, I was struck by the teacher’s comment that even the small pile that we had built was adequate for growing enough food to feed one person for an entire year! I could not imagine that the loving efforts of one person who had gathered leaves, kitchen scraps, straw and horse manure for a few weeks could have helped produce such a magical piece of sculpture. And, I couldn’t have imagined that placing shovels-full of horse manure and smelly vegetables on a heap could be so much fun!
We ended our workshop with a Gratitude Circle, each holding a sacred stone infused with the energy of thousands of people worldwide who had sat in a similar circle. Not uncommon among participants were tears of release from old thought restrictions, as well as expressions of joy, excitement and deep gratitude.
Each participant was deeply touched and inspired. Warren Brush reminded us all of the power of stories to not only recount history but to create history! At every level of our being we were nourished. It was indeed An Unforgettable Weekend!