“To loose our contact with the soil results in real un-ease and maladjustment: to recapture it affords profound joy and inward comfort.”
Samuel Ogden
Biodynamic Gardening and Farming: An Opening Essay
Beyond the simplicity and wholesome goodness of natural gardening, there lies waiting for each of us the incredible magic of being part of the process of life, growth, ripening. In the dark, moist soil seeds awaken to surprising life. The course of the season, with the passing of the sun overhead, the stars and moon at night, rain and warmth, wind and stillness - all conspire to support life, to offer us delicious foods and healing herbs.
Among other things, gardening with a sense of awe and anticipation can sooth our hectic souls and give us moments of tranquility hard to find otherwise. Be it on your kitchen windowsill or on the balcony and of course in the garden and on farm - your work with seeds, plants, blossoms and fruit can offer you subtle accomplishments and a connection with the entire earth and heavens above.
Biodynamic gardening is an all natural, all organic, completely ecological approach based on the simple premise that all life is spiritual, one could say also energetic. Our modern scientific schooling can tend to separate us from a sensitivity to the energies of life, without meaning to do so. Certainly all we learn from science and technology can be put to good use. There is, however, more.
A survey of farming and gardening around the world, present and past, shows us how all cultures developed a rich understanding of how to work with nature. Most of them have (or had) a complex perception of the intermingling of forces and substances, of how various, distinct energies participate in the awakening of life in the otherwise seemingly more dormant or lifeless substances. Modern science does this too, if we take into account an understanding of physics. Yet most older cultures explained this process without the benefit of physics, but with no less a sense for how things function.
We need not here, enter deeply, into the various systems of agriculture, be it a Native American, traditional Chinese or Indian system with their own names for the energies (spirits, chi, prana, etc.), yet it is significant to mention, that the system of working with nature that biodynamics presents is quite similar in many essential ways to such older systems, while making every effort to bridge such understanding with modern science and technology - without loosing the core of older ones and adding its own, in part quite unique qualities.
Rudolf Steiner, the inaugurator of biodynamics, was an exceptionally talented educator, scientist and social activist, he was also a clairvoyant, who sought to bring his spiritual insights in such a way as to be useful for the modern mind and the increasingly independent individual. His insights about the nature of the human being, the spiritual in nature and in the universe inform the basis of biodynamics theoretically and practically.
Have no doubt: without question, biodynamic fundamentals can be learned simply and quickly - at least on a beginners level - and practiced with sure success. As with all things we learn, there are usually increasing levels of insight and ability we can attain. All things worth learning and doing take time, take baby steps first and then bigger ones as one becomes more able. Biodynamics can be understood on many (perhaps increasing) levels. Each one helpful and interesting. One can take one's time with each step, while fully enjoying the fruits of the methods.
It is important to mention from the outset, that biodynamics is NOT a set of dogma, or rigid rules one has to follow, but rather it is a subtle, flexible, adaptable system of understanding and working with nature. It has, like all systematic approaches, some basic principles and practices that help (especially the beginner) to get started. Still, dear Reader, take it upon yourself to be open-minded, awake and focused on your own experience every step of the way! After all, something like biodynamics is about your relationship with nature, about vitality and quality, about health, healing and a dignified, ethical approach to work.
This may sound, at first, like biodynamics is all about simply being kind in our interaction with nature. This is no doubt a good starting point. As Franklin Roosevelt once said: “Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.” One might add: to be effective. Yet biodynamics is much more, while building on a genuine, deep, lasting respect and sensitivity to all life. Without such an authentic atmosphere of reverence for life, most things end up only being about power or money - and slipping into modes of work that hinder, rather than help humanity and the earth in the long run.
Enough philosophy for now! Biodynamics is about practical steps in the garden and on farm. Its about creating healthy, productive, ecologically sound farms and gardens and all about creating spiritually energized foods and beverage. In the following pages, I will start to outline, at first more theoretically, then increasingly practically, an introduction to biodynamics. I hope it is helpful. Take what you can and use it in your everyday work.
Blessings and much joy,
Andrew