Plants, Earth and Cosmos: Biodynamic Training Course : January 2018
This course was held at Tinh Truc Gia (TTG) = The Peaceful Bamboo Family, which is the heart project of Eurasia Foundation & Association. TTG was the first vegetable garden, working according to the biodynamic method in Vietnam.
In 2007, Hans Mulder from Australia taught us how to make the biodynamic preparations that he had brought for this occasion and we sprayed the then still bare and uncultivated land. Since 2009, TTG has been applying the biodynamic method in the vegetable garden.
Since then, more and more people have become interested in biodynamic agriculture, which is why we started offering courses of biodynamic agriculture.
For this second workshop we had participants coming from all over Vietnam as well as different continents, all committed to “healing” the earth, to reconnecting to themselves and nature, together with others.
We explored the basic elements of biodynamics once more, in order to deepen the understanding of the preparation of earth treatments. We also tried to build up on last years’ program by integrating new elements into the course.
The course was designed as a process following U-theory. The first day was mostly about arriving, seeing and sensing the environment, exploring our intentions and expectations for this journey. We started the morning by discovering the garden with a walking meditation, feeling the atmosphere, appreciating the colors, elements, smells, insects. Going into smaller groups, we then spent time looking at the beauty in the development of a plant.
The whole of the group was really curious about the effects of the treatments on the land. We created the preparation for the supplements 500 and 501. We then went on to discover the other supplements as well, from 502 to 507. We prepared Yarrow Flower, Chamomile, Stinging Nettle, Oak Bark and Dandelion Flower for the traditional biodynamic preparation process.
Moreover, we spend a long time talking and setting up a new compost all together. We presenced into what was coming, as we spread the mixture of supplements with our hands all over the campus. Using our minds, we reflected upon “What help and energy would the plant receive by this treatment?” And inviting our hearts: How will the love, that I give at the same time, nourish plants and soil?
We ended the course with a crystalizing and envisioning practice, considering what each one of us would take home from the course, bringing something back to our different corners of the country. Holding the space, with the whole of the earth in our minds, spreading love and healing energy to Mother Earth.
Course participants not only took a course in our garden, but also integrated the daily life of the TTG community. Throughout their stay, participants got to experience the values of our Camphill Community, together with Vietnamese traditional Culture and the Gross National Happiness (GNH) values our centre embodies. The Youngsters living in our community warmly welcomed everyone with a kind smile. Integrating course participants in this environment is an important part of our way to integrate caring for nature, caring for self and caring for others.
We are very thankful to Marc for coming all the way from Copake, for sharing his long experience, and for guiding Mr. Hung to become a biodynamic trainer. Thank you Mr. Hung for your dedicated work as a pioneer biodynamic gardener in Vietnam, thank you to our garden team, to our youngsters who, through joyful work contribute to creating a biodynamic “paradise” in TTG.
Thank you so much to Ngan, who was doing an excellent job in translation, Jacoba for her great help preparing the course together with the ELI team. Finally, thank you to all participants, for your openness, sincere interest and work and your commitment to bring about healing and a to create wholesome nature for now and future generations.
With a smile from the Happy ELI team