From talking about growth in the last blog, my mind has turned to children and the subject of alternative education. Some of you, I know, are home educating parents and many of you who send your children to school question the methods that are used to teach your children and to interact with them. For the most part, our current school-based education system is still founded on ideas that stemmed from the perceived need to produce compliant recruits for the military and factory workers for the industrial revolution. Schooling in this form can be regarded as part of the, now receding, industrial growth society.
Here’s a delightful video from an alternative sort of school that I think you might enjoy:
For those of you who would like to see lasting, positive changes in the ways that your children are educated at school, the website mentioned in this video is worth a visit. If enough parents and teachers get involved, this could well be a route to the sort of education system that supports the transition to a life sustaining society.
Marks out of 10?
Despite what our political leaders insist on telling us, we all know deep down that persistent economic growth is no longer an option if humankind is to survive for very much longer on this planet. Yet it is not “growth” per se that is a bad thing when we consider what it really means. Growth is not about achievement, consumption, exploitation, manipulation, survival of the fittest, take-overs, domination, hierarchy, power or control. This is just what we’ve been led to believe through cultural conditioning and it is now so deeply ingrained that few of us can even imagine a different, more life-sustaining way of living and working.
So, if growth is not about all of those parameters I’ve just mentioned, what is it really? And how does this relate to our personal and business lives?
Exchange, evolution and renewal. One of the definitions of a living thing is that it grows. One of the miracles of our human forms is that, although on a moment by moment basis we appear to be solid, unchanging matter, at a microscopic level we are a buzz of activity with our cells continually exchanging matter, evolving and renewing themselves. So, growth for a living thing is about exchange, evolution, renewal and being part of a natural cycle that also, eventually, includes our demise.
Re-integration. In our personal lives, we are continually open to fragmentation and contamination, physically, socially and emotionally. Physically, we can become fragmented and contaminated through lack of exercise, eating unwholesome food, or being exposed to pollutants. Socially, this can happen through spending too much time with people with a negative outlook on life or who behave aggressively. We might also use socialising as a distraction or in order to manipulate others rather than to connect with them. Emotionally, we cause fragmentation and contamination by dwelling on grievances, bearing grudges and maintaining limiting beliefs.
So, on a personal level, we can ensure healthy growth by being aware of our behaviour and favouring habits that reconnect us with positive and wholesome influences on our physical, social and emotional wellbeing. We can take steps to remind ourselves of our part in the natural rhythm of life and avoid sources of physical, mental and social contamination.
Modeling Healthy Growth. We can model healthy growth for our children by living it ourselves and by encouraging them to do the same. For example, by eating well, getting plenty of exercise, steering clear of bullies (adults or children) and spending time with others who are caring and supportive of them. We can help them spend some time each week in nature and to express their gratitude for the things that have gone well, the true friends they’ve spent time with and the people they love.
Georgia wanted more than anything to grow her fledgling organic clothing business. She had begun by searching for business partners and associates, approaching retail outlets, online green products directories, anyone she could think of who might want to do business with her. Now, she was at full capacity with her suppliers, the working capacity of her staff and the limits of what her mental and physical health could stand. Initially she wanted coaching to help her take a step up to the next level
The next stage of growth for her business, as she saw it, was massive expansion, but it involved a leap of confidence – to take on extra staff, quickly find additional suppliers and promote herself to a more hands off directorship role. She had held off taking this next step and she wasn’t sure why, but her body was telling her something. She had some persistent low level illnesses that she just couldn’t shake off.
When we took an audit of the company, a kind of bird’s eye view coupled with some reliable financial data, we discovered that if she were to take the steps she envisaged to grow the company (as she thought she “ought to”) then she would be a little better off financially, but would be spending most of her day doing tasks that she didn’t enjoy. She would have completely lost touch with her reasons for starting her business and her business mission.
Business growth, in terms of increased turnover, profit or manpower, is not always the healthiest move, for the company or for the business owner. A mature approach to business growth means:
Exchange and renewal – reviewing business and personal data on a regular basis, communicating with and acting on messages received from clients, associates and employees.
Re-integration – being aware of sources of fragmentation and contamination (be they physical pollutants, changes in external circumstances, complaints from clients or unhelpful behaviour and beliefs from colleagues.) and addressing these. It also means having methods in place for helping the business learn by adding more effective communication systems, more enjoyable working conditions and continual professional development.
Through coaching, Georgia was able to reconnect with her business purpose and reintegrate that with her personal aspirations. Both she and her business were able to continue to “grow” but in a way that was sustainable for her and her employees as well as for the planet.
Not one, usually, to wave the flag for our Royal Family, I surprised myself yesterday by shouting “Go Charlie” at the radio on hearing Prince Charles’ speech at the BBC Food and Farming Awards. Known also as the “British Food Oscars”, these awards are designed to help us celebrate the culture of quality food in Britain and to encourage us to “keep our food system in good heart”, something very much valued by simple living and sustainable living enthusiasts.
The winners and finalists came from a wide range of food related enterprises and represented many fascinating, foodie specialities. What I found so uplifting about this programme was the initiative and imagination demonstrated by all of them in a very challenging industry and with stiff competition from giant corporations.
Do have a listen online. Prince Charles’ speech lasts for approx 4 minutes 30 seconds and starts about 2mins 20 seconds into the programme. In particular, listen out for the “important questions we should be asking ourselves” and “What we risk losing if we continue to treat food as an easy commodity rather than as a precious gift.”
Happy New Year!
An inspiring guest article today from Edwin Datschefski.
Edwin is a product design consultant, speaker and author who helps people figure out how to make their products sustainable — good for people, profits and the planet. The following is reproduced with his permission:
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I was thinking about the basics of my perspective on the environment when I noticed that they are very similar in structure to the four noble truths that underpin Buddhism.
In case you don’t know them, they can be summed up as:
1. Suffering exists.
2. The origin of suffering is egoistic craving and attachment.
3. There is a way to the cessation of suffering, otherwise known as Nirvana.
4. This Way is the Eightfold Path: Right Understanding; Right Thinking; Right Speech; Right Attitude; Right Livelihood; Right Effort; Right Concentration; and Right Mindfulness.
So here is my version:
1. Pollution exists
There are people who say that there is no problem, but if you are an environmentalist you acknowledge that there are terrible things happening to the natural world and to people.
2. The origin of Pollution is poorly-designed industry and agriculture
I’m using ‘pollution’ as a shorthand here for all environmental ills, including habitat destruction and so on. I think it’s a pretty good word that anyone in the street can also understand. It is the design that’s to blame, not the designers; they didn’t know any better at the time.
3. There is a Way to have no Pollution
A surprisingly large number of people in the environment movement really don’t believe this. I’ve asked large groups of people during my talks and it always amazes me how few think we can have no pollution.
4. This Way is the Fivefold Path:
· Right Flow of Materials (100% cyclic);
· Right Sources of Energy (100% solar);
· Right Type of Materials (100% safe);
· Right Use of Materials (Ultra-efficient);
· Right Treatment of People (Social).
What’s also interesting is that many non-buddhists adopt the Eightfold path as a good way to live anyway. It can provide a good model for an environmentalist as well:
Continually learn about nature and about new sustainable technologies and techniques.
Make a commitment to work towards 100% sustainability in your job and home life.
Get on with it. Do what matters, do what works.
Speak helpfully and compassionately about your work to everyone.
Be sustainable in all your tasks; walk the talk.
Make your living from working on sustainability.
Keep focused on your goal, avoid distractions.
What are you waiting for?
Edwin Datschefski
BioThinking International
Why do so many people leave city life as a way of downshifting? Do you think the global recession is going to increase or decrease the amount of people downshifting to the coast or the countryside?
It seems to me that this is mainly to do with wanting to reduce stress and slow down. Life can be so pressurised and fast paced these days and this can lead to all kinds of personal and professional pain. It is possible to slow down the pace of life and reduce personal stress in a city environment or whilst living by the coast or in the countryside. Actually, living in a district that’s more remote doesn’t work for everyone. It depends what kind of lifestyle suits you. What we do know is that having some regular contact with nature, wherever you live, is very helpful. It reduces stress and produces endorphins in the brain – the happiness chemicals!
I think the global recession may lead to some people moving out of town and using redundancy, for example, as an opportunity to start anew in an environment that is better suited to them. However, for some people, it can have the opposite effect, if for example they believe that they’re not able to afford to move or they fear employment difficulties if they move further afield.
What advice would you give to someone considering a relocation?
Think about what you’re moving towards as well as what you’re trying to leave behind (see my recent blog “Freedom From” or Freedom to”). As with any major life decision, it’s the inner work that needs to be addressed first – establishing motivation, inspiration, personal values, the real reasons for wanting a change and the truth about where you wish to move to, metaphorically and physically.
Do you think there are dangers involved in packing up your life and moving to a far-flung destination?
I think I would prefer to use the word “risks” rather than “dangers”! There are risks in any decision and the way to evaluate the risks and minimise those associated with the path you decide to take is to do your research. I would suggest researching culture, the political situation, healthcare provision in particular for your considered destination. I would look closely at finances too. How will you finance your new lifestyle? If close to retirement, how will moving to a far flung destination affect your pension arrangements? The “danger”, in my opinion is in making an uninformed or ill-informed decision.
I would also suggest thinking deeply about who you would like to live close to in your new life. Who in your family matters most to you? Which friends would you like to have more contact with? Whilst many people are clocking up thousands of “love miles” visiting friends and relatives by plane at the moment, this is unlikely to be realistic within a very short space of time (probably within the next 5 years) with depleting oil supplies and climate change mitigation measures coming into force.
What would your advice be to someone who is struggling with where they are in their lives? Is there something to consider before taking the leap and making huge decisions like a relocation or career change?
Yes- your values and overall vision. You will need to be very clear on your motives and intention. I encourage my clients to be authentic, above all, in whatever they plan to do.
Many downshifters want to run their own business to help support the financial side of their new life. Have you got any tips for people trying to find a suitable business idea to develop?
That’s a BIG question! In brief it comes down to values, business purpose, what you want to achieve by starting a small business. Most of us are capable of doing many different things in order to earn a living. The question is really “What will make us happy too?” “How can I make a meaningful contribution to the world and support myself financially?” I do a lot of coaching on this and it’s a fascinating and fulfilling process – often very moving actually. Something you can ask yourself is: If your business were a vehicle for something, what would that something be?
How can people learn to live with less, especially with the concept of “downshifting” and returning to a simpler way of living? Won’t they just be miserable when they get rid of all their creature comforts and nights out?
Rather than “returning” to a simpler way of life, for me it’s more about creating a new way of living more simply. For some people, life without their creature comforts will be miserable. They find it a great challenge to see the value, or experience the joy, in the simpler things in life. This is not really surprising given the emphasis on the message “this creature comfort will make you attractive, sexy, happy etc. etc.” in most of the advertising on television and in newspapers and magazines. It can take many of us a few decades to realise that this message is a complete myth!
Some people who are forcibly downshifted e.g. through redundancy, ill health or a relationship breakdown, are quite depressed to begin with. It is possible to help them cultivate a different perspective on their plight and start to see the opportunities and gifts in their situation. I’ve found personal coaching to be a wonderful tool in this respect.
For those who can already envisage a richer, more meaningful alternative to the rat race, downshifting can be a blessed relief and a source of pleasure and tranquillity.
Do you think the concept of relocating your life in order to achieve happiness actually works? Or is it just a myth?
I think relocation on its own is not what will make us happy. To achieve happiness, we need to be living an authentic life, true to our values. We need to be honest with ourselves about what really motivates and inspires us about life, who we want to spend time with, what kind of environment we like to live in etc. Relocating in itself is not necessarily the answer to all of these things, although it might well form part of the means to the answer.
This site seeks to explore the heart and soul of downshifting to a more sustainable, ethical and holistic way of living and working, in keeping with the needs of the planet, humanity as a whole and ourselves as individuals. (read more)
