Regeneration: A Systemic Evolutionary Process.
In the coming weeks, I’ll stand before an audience in Chile, tasked with unraveling the concept of regeneration in a manner that educates and inspires.
As I ponder the essence of my message, let me begin by defining regeneration as a systemic evolutionary process, an exploration that reveals its complexity and transformative power.
To grasp its depth, let us first appreciate its constituent parts:
systemic, evolutionary, and process,
Regeneration is systemic, embodying an interconnected, self-regulating network with emergent qualities that reveal the natural world’s inherent magic.
It’s evolutionary, resilient, and adaptive, continuously molding itself in response to the environment.
But to fully capture its essence, we must delve into why regeneration is inherently a process.
A process, by definition, is a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end. It is dynamic, not static; it involves change, transformation, and evolution over time.
Regeneration, then, is not a singular event but a continuous journey of renewal and adaptation, mirroring the very processes that sustain life on our planet.
Consider our bodies as a microcosm of regeneration.
Every seven years, a cellular renewal sweeps through us, leaving no material trace of the person who existed seven years prior. To illustrate, let’s cast our minds back to a global event from seven years ago, (2017) whether it be in the realms of politics, science, or sports.
Reflecting on the profound transformation since Trump’s 2017 inauguration, I realize it’s a vivid demonstration of regeneration extending beyond our physical renewal to touch upon societal dynamics. This recognition propels us to expand our perspective, embracing the social, cultural, and cosmological dimensions of regeneration. Such a holistic approach reveals that regeneration transcends the mere physical rejuvenation of our bodies and the environment, weaving through the fabric of our communities, cultures, and cosmic understanding. While this article briefly introduces these broader themes, it signals the beginning of a deeper journey. Acknowledging the multifaceted nature of regeneration sets the groundwork for exploring how its principles can nurture ecological balance, social equity, cultural vitality, and a profound reconnection with our living systems and universal essence — topics we will further explore as this narrative unfolds.
Returning to the subject of my body, the material essence that defined me at that moment has been entirely renewed.
My understanding of self-regeneration deepens when I realize that only 43% of my body consists of human cells. The remaining majority is made up of 40 billion microbiome cells — not “me” in the conventional sense, but absolutely vital for my survival. These microbial allies play critical roles in digestion, nutrient synthesis, vitamin production, and strengthening my immune system against pathogenic bacteria. This symbiotic relationship highlights how our bodies operate as systems of interdependent elements, self-regulated and beyond our conscious control. I cannot dictate my liver’s functions, maintain control over my breathing for more than a few minutes, or direct the flow of my blood. Yet, my mind has the ability to impact certain aspects of my physical being — deciding to exercise, choose a vegetarian lifestyle, or participate in social events, thus demonstrating a Cartesian split between mind and body. This brings me to a crucial realization: regeneration is not confined to the physical domain but also includes the Regeneration of our minds.
Regenerative design, therefore, is not confined to the creation of objects, buildings, or landscapes. Its true essence lies in sculpting human minds capable of fostering this holistic vision of interconnectedness and renewal.
As we explore the concept further, the importance of mind regeneration becomes ever more apparent — a theme we will revisit and delve deeper into as we progress through our exploration of regeneration. Holding this thought, we stand on the precipice of a broader discussion on regeneration, poised to delve into its implications for our world and ourselves. It’s a journey of understanding that requires us to reconsider not just how we interact with our environment but how we perceive our very existence and purpose within it.
“Yes yes…. Regenerative Agric ulture”
Whenever I bring up the concept of regeneration, the immediate response often aligns with regenerative agriculture
— a testament to its intrinsic value and recognition.
People naturally connect it to the nurturing of the earth, the care of land and plants, affirming its crucial role. This instinctual association is not only positive but essential, as it underscores the tangible aspects of regeneration that we can observe and interact with daily.
Regenerative agriculture exemplifies the practical application of regenerative principles, highlighting the importance of the soil as a living system that sustains life.
Through this lens, we appreciate regeneration not just as an abstract concept but as a concrete practice that enriches both our environment and our understanding of interconnectedness.
This natural alignment with the earth and its soil is not merely sentimental but foundational to our comprehension of regeneration as an evolutionary systemic process. Soil is not just a substrate; it’s a vibrant ecosystem that generates life and sustenance in abundance, underpinning our very survival.
Soil is a living System
This perspective ushers us into a pivotal dichotomy: the paradigms of degradation versus regeneration.
Through the lens of a regenerative cosmovision, Earth emerges as a living system — a truth mirrored in the microcosm of the soil. Consider that a single gram of healthy soil is a universe unto itself, harboring over a kilometer of mycelium filaments and a billion bacteria that break down complex organic compounds, furnishing the nutrients and hormones essential for plant growth. The essence of this systemic interdependence is perhaps best illustrated by a historical symbiosis: 400 million years ago, amidst drought, algae and fungi formed a pact. Algae, through photosynthesis, produced sugars, which in turn fed mycelium and fungi, enabling them to supply essential nutrients to the proto-roots of algae.
This ancient reciprocity persists today, with some trees allocating up to 40% of their photosynthesized sugars to nourish the soil’s living network, which reciprocates by decomposing nutrients for the tree’s roots. Such mutual support underscores not only interdependence but an integral process of ‘interbeing’. Yet, humanity’s role within this living system shifts from interdependence to dependency. Our survival hinges on the oxygen, water, and produce this system generously offers.
In stark contrast, the extractive model perceives land as barren, necessitating the infusion of vast quantities of pesticides and fertilizers to force productivity from the soil.
For optimal corn production, up to 90 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare are required. Additionally, the crop benefits from up to 45 kilograms of phosphorus per hectare and approximately 30 kilograms of potassium per hectare, with the latter two nutrients preferably supplied in the form of oxides to enhance soil fertility and crop yield.
This paradigm has transformed the world into a vast farm, underpinned by a mindset that views the land not as a living system but as an inert medium to be exploited. To encapsulate this contrast, envision Indy Johar’s graph alongside imagery depicting lifeless soil and the alarming volumes of phosphorus, nitrates, and fertilizers required to coerce life from it.
Just 55 percent of the world’s crop calories are eaten directly by people. Another 36 percent is used for animal feed. And the remaining 9 percent goes toward biofuels and other industrial uses
This visual juxtaposition not only illustrates the grave disparity between these paradigms but also emphasizes the urgent need for a shift towards regeneration — a process that acknowledges and nurtures the intrinsic value and vitality of the Earth. This exploration into the essence of regenerative agriculture and its implications on our relationship with the Earth serves as a critical step in our journey towards understanding regeneration in its fullest context.
Regenerative agriculture represents a profound reconciliation with the land, marrying productivity with ecological stewardship. This approach not only yields more produce with superior nutritional value but also revitalizes the soil, sequesters carbon, and fosters a vibrant ecosystem.
In Brazil, the work of Instituto da Tocca by Pedro Pablo Dinis and Ernst Gotsch’s syntropic farming exemplifies the successful implementation of agroforestry. Their projects demonstrate how integrating trees with crops and livestock can regenerate landscapes, proving that agriculture can be both a source of sustenance and a means of ecological restoration. These initiatives underscore the potential of regenerative practices to transform agriculture into a force for environmental healing and abundance.
Before Captain Cook’s arrival, Native Hawaiians were self-sufficient, producing more food on less land than today’s agriculture in Hawaii. They utilized the Ahupua’a system, a land management practice spanning diverse ecosystems from mountains to sea, organized around water flow. This system supported agroforestry, taro cultivation, and fish ponds, efficiently producing 1 million metric tons of food on a fraction of the land, a stark contrast to modern output which is significantly lower despite using three times more land.
SEKEM revitalizes Egypt’s deserts through biodynamic agriculture, fostering individual, societal, and environmental development. Transforming 684 hectares of desert into fertile farms, SEKEM educates 477 farmers in holistic practices, embodying a sustainable model for global social business.
The journey from discussing specific regenerative projects to exploring broader concepts of self-reconciliation and systemic regeneration requires a thoughtful transition.
Pioneers in syntropic farming and regenerative agriculture, exemplify more than just successful land stewardship. They personify the essence of regeneration, having internalized the seven principles of regenerative design, thereby embodying the wisdom and practice necessary for initiating this systemic evolutionary process.
It is through their deep systemic understanding and personal commitment that they’ve unlocked the potential for ‘interbecoming’ — a harmonious integration with evolunutionary process of the living systems they nurture. This embodiment among practitioners bridges the tangible achievements in regenerative agriculture with the profound, personal journey of regeneration, setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of regeneration’s expansive scope, beyond the soil to the self and society at large.
Reconciliation with oneself emerges as a cornerstone for regeneration, an evolutionary alignment with the principles of living systems. This journey of self-reconciliation is gaining momentum through diverse practices such as meditation and mindfulness, even transcending its erstwhile niche to infiltrate corporate and academic realms. Institutions like Monterey Tech, with faculties dedicated to human flourishing, underscore a paradigm shift toward recognizing our unsustainable trajectory. The Butterfly project, spearheaded by AXA and partners, champions regenerative business transformations. Through the Butterfly School, it educates companies on sustainable practices, blending business with ecological and social regeneration.
This acknowledgment propels us towards a regenerative path where we synchronize with the life-sustaining patterns of nature, embracing our role within the thriving flow of life. In this state of interconnectedness, we commence ‘interbecoming’, actively designing in harmony with life itself.
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