Observation in Permaculture, Nonviolent Communication and Meditation
I was reminded in a workshop I gave last week, called "Inner Peace and Outer Nature", that observation is as much about paying attention to details as it is about opening our attention and allowing information to come in. I think meditation is a great example of effective, thoughtful observation in both permaculture and Nonviolent Communication. In meditation and observation, we focus on one object (an element) or our field of awareness (patterns in a whole system), open our attention and notice whatever is there, all without grasping at a certain solution. In this process, we may also realise that we forget to notice! This experience is familiar to me... I can say to myself something like "Yes, I really want to track where the sunny and shady spots are in my backyard this winter", and then I realise that I forget regularly to go out and observe. Similarly, while in meditation, we may find our attention wandering and every so often, we get to remind ourselves "Oh yes! I want to go back to noticing my breath again..." In NVC, when we catch ourselves falling into a thought or a sentence like "You always do..." (generalisation) or "He's so lazy..." (judgment), we can remind ourselves to look for a clear observation. What specifics (what, who, where, when) did I notice that I'm responding to?
I think the act of forgetting to observe, then remembering once again to observe, helps us become more aware of observing. The PRACTICE of observing helps us to be conscious of our relationships and interactions. The INFORMATION we gather while observing helps us develop a deeper understanding about a situation or a system, thus enabling us to respond with more intelligence, ease and efficiency.
Permaculture, Nonviolent Communication and meditation offer tools to help us interact and reconnect with nature, other people and ourselves in more meaningful, harmonious and regenerative ways. In my experience, they each begin as useful tools and gradually become integrated in a way of life that values enriching and taking care of people and the Earth.
Comments
Observation
Thank you for your threading together these three important themes into one post. I haven't seen anyone do anything quite like this before. The connection between permaculture, NVC and meditation through the practice of observation makes a lot of sense.
Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of NVC, referring to the spiritual teachings of Krishnamurti, says that distinguishing observation from evaluations or judgements is "the highest form of human intelligence." I have often reflected on that gem. Now as I get into applied NVC work in my job with BayNVC (disclaimer), I see how the ability to observe actually contributes to my ability to transcend right/wrong thinking.
Certainly I have a long way to go in this regard. However, in my professional life, with my friends and towards myself I certainly have more compassion and space for authenticity today thanks to several years' NVC learning through practice in real life (and lots of mistakes!)
Seeing events and things without attaching unwarranted meanings to them is one of the prime tools in creating presence and clarity in daily life.