Metamorphosis

The old is coming to an end—
the ancient one gripping tight,
as if nothing else matters.

As the grip of the old tightens,
the new can sense the waning hour of its rustic power.
The old knows, as soon as it lets go,
it has to give its final blessing,
that bit we call farewell.

The splendid bull
is standing on the plateau,
faced towards the sun,
rising from horizon.

The first few rays spill into the ocean,
just before the sun is up, above the skyline.
That breathless moment,
when existence appears to be standing still…

The ancient and the new.
A mystery as old as time.
What have I to learn from all that is passing by?

Decay, death, birth, a new start.

I give my gratitude to all that is fading away,
burning out, passing on its final emanating surge of power,
just before it’s time to give it up.

It’s time to give it up!
Your time, your rule, your reign is over.

An ocean of valuable lessons,
overflowing generosity,
kindness and good deeds…
All of it going towards new, fresh seeds.
It’s time to let go, graciously.

Out of the old roots grow the new shoots.
Come spring, watch the glory unfold in its full swing.  

Roaring fireplace, several soft cushions,
the sound of crackling firewood,
a copper flask of water and myself,
gazing towards the blazing fire
as it eats the wood away,
sending vital heat my way.

Holding my favorite pen, I etch
the final few pages of my fifth notebook of this twilight year.

When the one starts starts,
I will pull out a fresh, new, sky blue one!

May the New Year be blessed
with infinite inspiration, joy, and strength
as we navigate through distinct moments:
joyful, challenging, struggling, healing,
messy, exiting, sad, hungry, happy.  
May we learn, may we grow and become
wiser, suppler, more caring, and stronger
as we bravely sail on.

Out of the gracious Old
comes the radiant New!

Introduction of a new Journey – Education and SustainAbility

I was inspired to share my observation and understanding of Sustainability after seeing a Facebook post on my friend’s wall with a title “Human Induced Climate Change is False”. I followed the link with a video and listened carefully, with an open mind to what the person was about to share.

From where I came to be and from what I came to understand about this topic, I noticed this person using the word complexity, without grasping its meaning. He was talking about economic, social and environmental problems as being unrelated to implications of Climate Change. He spoke of unnecessary investments and efforts to create a more sustainable ways of living and doing business.

Such presentations can easily misguide many, especially newcomers who are still forming an understanding about Climate Change and Sustainability; even more so during times when critical thinking is in decline. My understanding is not complete; but I’m confident to say it is more complete when compared to much of what I hear, read and see in connection to Sustainability.  However, I leave you with a “ResponseAbility” not to take what you see and read for granted, but to form “your” own opinion, while keeping your heart and mind open.

Inquiry into Sustainability   Author: Brigi

The topic is broad, hence I have decided to divide the areas of Sustainability affecting the health of the biosphere our lives depend upon into several parts. In my next post I will present part one – “Population Growth”. The parts I’m about to share are interconnected and interdependent – hence I will emphasise the focus of the one I have chosen, while drawing connection between all of them.

My journey of intellectual and a more holistic understanding of Sustainability started in September 2011 at Schumacher College in Devon, when I signed up for a full time Master’s in Economics for Transition – a program specialized in Environmental Sustainability, Low Carbon Economy and Holistic Education.

I have deeply delved in the area of sustainability for the past 2 years and have tried to see it from as many perspectives as possible – as a human being – biologist, economist, banker, investor, psychologist, agriculturist, anthropologist, educator, ecologist, mathematician… and most importantly, as part of nature.

 Ecocentric Egocentric                  Author: Brigi

My intention to learn and know more is being driven by the care for all of life that surrounds us. To address the issues we are facing I wish to shed light on the process of what is happening. By my humble opinion, it is the process that matters most – means that lead to a never ending end.

Next: Part 1: “Population Growth in Relation to Sustainability

Iterration no.2

Second Screening, Kevicc High School, Totnes, May 2012

Iteration process  2

The second screening took place at Areal Cinema Theater, at Kevicc High School in Totnes. The event organization was supported by Earth Inheritors, a group of young inspiring students from Kevicc High School.

Approximately 40 people attended the screening, ranging from college students to adults in their late sixties. The event was introduced by doctor Robert Cook from University of Plymouth. Dr Cook worked on his research in Ladakh, together with Helena Norberg Hodge and later on for SECMOL (The Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh). Dr Cook was looking at the cultural changes in connection to sustainability and education.

More on SECMOL: http://www.secmol.org

After watching the documentary we invited participants to express their experience through art and drawing. This time was used for self reflection, before engaging in group discussion.

Following issues were raised during our discussion:

  • Importance of localization
  • Negative impact of standardized educational system
  • Negative impacts of excessive, unsustainable form of globalization
  • Importance of knowing one’s own cultural identity and background

Questions:

  • How to identify a good teacher?
  • What is the purpose of education?
  • Are we educating people for jobs or to help them recognizing who they are?
  • How to educate for the place you live in – educating for the ecosystem?
  • What are the signs of indoctrination within educational system?
  • How to marry traditional and modern ways of thinking – how to marry traditional culture and technology?
  • What is the appropriate size of the school and classrooms?

Conclusions

  • Importance of educators to develop a “midwife”  attitude.
  • Learning from successful, non conventional examples, such as SECMOL (The Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh)
  • Recognition of local characteristics, learning from the local environment
  • Educational system should first and foremost be the space of self discovery through freedom of expression, with individuals being supported on their journey.

The event was successful, very much appreciated by the participants and very insightful.

Schooling for Future is a documentary on education I’m working on. I will be adding the second part by the Mid October.

    

SCHOOLING FOR FUTURE – PART ONE – ITERATION no1, at KEVICC HIGH SCHOOL

YOUTUBE LINK

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WHY

I have chosen to create “Schooling for Future” as a part of my final project on a postgraduate program I’m currently finishing. This project came out as a result of 6 successful screenings of documentary “Schooling the World” (directed by Carol Black) and discussions among participants, which were held after watching the film.

The work you are about to see is a first part of a documentary about purposeful education. The second part will be completed by the Mid October.

Through the process of my academic research I was aiming to find the connection between thoughts of radicals thinkers in the realm of purposeful education such as: Rabindranath Tagore, Maria Montesori, Krishnamurti, Ivan Illich, John Dewey, Bertrand Russell, Sir Ken Robinson, Alan Watts, Nikhil Goyal, Noam Chomsky, Paolo Freire, Gregory Cajete, Allan R. Wallance, Rudolf Steiner, Satish Kumar

and between the thoughts of participants who came to the screening of the documentary “Schooling the World”.

Main reason for choosing “Schooling the World” as a foundation for my research are the challenges that educational system represents for society today. Stories in this documentary point out to those challenges in a very clear, somehow provocative, but engaging way.

Challenges I am referring to:

– current educational system is not encouraging individuals to learn directly from our greatest teacher – the nature itself;
– current educational system is not encouraging creativity and freedom of expression;
– current educational system is not fully supporting individuals to discover and develop their own potentials;
– current educational system is becoming increasingly standardization across the world
– educational system is being used to support global economy, for the price of one’s own unique cultural identity and value system;
– current educational system is result driven and lacks the important recognition of process focused education.
These are few thoughts I was interested to look into and to find out how and if they were seen by some of the greatest thinkers as far as 100 years ago. I also wanted to find out what members of society think today.

I have also been asking myself a question, how to support those great noble thoughts to become more wide spread. I discovered that most of participants who engaged in discussion after the screenings share those same thoughts. Thoughts, which can lead towards creation of a more sustainable education and have a positive impact on society and life on Earth.

Hopefully I can make a humble contribution with the composition I am sharing with you here.

I am very grateful to Satish Kumar for his words of heartfelt wisdom, to dr. Robert Cook for sharing his experience in Ladakh and to everybody who joined this unique “Journey of Exploration through the Process of Education”.

Thank you for being the change you wish to see in this world!