Life Design for Permaculture

Javan joined our monthly online Gathering for Change Agents to lead a discussion about sustainability. He wove a tremendous spectrum of insight in a way that was accessible and inspiring. It connected humanity’s future to nature, certainly, but it didn’t limit the discussion of sustainability to a typical notion of “saving” nature. Javan eloquently presented a compelling narrative that helped us all realize that we are a shared ecology, and we need to start thinking and acting in that way if we are to flourish.

So good! I will be watching this several times.

I first heard about Javan on the Permaculture Voices podcast, which coincided nicely during the time my husband and I were deep in a love affair with the idea of being “farmers”. After hearing about his system, my husband and I had some difficult and uncomfortable conversations about whether farming really fits into our context, and it turns out it didn’t. I definitely shed some tears. BUT! We ended up buying a little house in my hometown of Grand Forks, BC, we can comfortably afford our lifestyle, and my kids get to grow up near grandparents. I am so grateful that this is the direction we took. Thank you, Javan!

A few weeks ago I had convinced myself that I  needed to spend $25,000 on a new/used truck for my company which is looking to expand it’s permaculture installations this year.

I’ve been in the landscape industry for over 30 years and was not looking forward to more time in the field as I would deep down prefer design or education work. I looked at this decision as a means to an end…I’ll be happy when.

During day one of Javan’s Holistic Life Context group course it became obvious that I was headed down the wrong path, or at least one that I hadn’t fully explored, craft the holistic goals first then test them against the decision.

These are currently under development but I can feel that this truck purchase is not going to make the cut. Javan thanks for saving me $25,000.

Hello from South Africa,

I just wanted to express my gratitude to both of you and the work you do.  I’m hoping that this gratitude will soon be monetary either in contribution or utilization of your services.

I’ve recently been through a journey of personal discovery spurred on by a bought of circumstantial depression (or so I thought) and the realization that my actions, or lack thereof, are shaping my children’s future (3 and 1).  The search for a fulfilling career, or happiness, or joy, or contentedness has led me through a lot of personal reflection, learning what my ‘points or skills of brilliance’ are,  farming, permaculture, to sustainable business.  From the 1000’s of hours of research I’ve done, the conversations between you two have stood out as the most pertinent to my… dilemma.  Thank you for putting yourselves out there and encouraging others to do the same.  I’ve come to a spot where I can take action knowing nothing is certain, failure is almost guaranteed and is a good thing if you see it for what it is….. experience, learning, growth.

I’m again excited for what the future holds and looking forward to sharing this world with people such as yourselves.

Again many thanks from this side of heaven

Javan’s contribution to our Permaculture Design Courses in Cuba has been critical for our Cuban and Canadian participants alike. His offering of a ‘Life Design’ workshop as part of the course provides students the unique and very valuable opportunity to consider how they might systemically integrate all they are learning more fully into their lives and their livelihoods – a wonderful innovation and addition to the usual PDC.”