Welcome to my Learning Review
OP6 MSc End of year overview 

This presentation takes you through a visual overview of my studies throughout my year at GU
My MSc studies began whilst I was living/ working/ teaching
at The Panya Project in northern Thailand.  I taught Permaculture Design/ Natural Building whilst co designing
and co creating systems for the development of the project.
I managed the community for 6 months during rainy season,
 implementing over 3 acres of food forest, building groundwater settlement/ filtration systems, established non dig vegetable systems and built several houses in adobe and other natural/ low impact methods

Career Review
After taking stock, reflecting and gaining insight into my learning/ development needs I produced a Learning Contract detailing proposed plans for the year ahead
(Each OP project is summarised
in the experiential learning cycle as follows here...)


Regenerative Design Practical Skill Flexes; I have qualifications in Organic Horticulture and Crop Production and a Diploma in Applied Permaculture design. Over the last few years I have worked on/ managed aspects of food production on organic farms. I have worked on and set up various community based and personal projects. I have lived in different community settings and have built a variety of things, from water systems to houses. I have experience in sustainable food systems, wild crafting, preserving food, natural building, alternative and appropriate energy systems, water systems and purification. I feel committed to life- long learning in this area especially.

Regenerative Design Skills; I have taken a PDC, sat in others and have taught two. I also completed a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design which means I went through conscious design cycles many times and have internalized this process in a way that feels easy and efficient. I also have experience in designing and building low impact housing. Having moved into teaching I feel both a heightened fluency and need for more advanced and technical skills. I also use and value these processes in internal development, as a linking discipline and efficiency tool.

Creative Response- Ability; My academic abilities have been both extended and challenged by the new models of thinking and processing I have encountered in the last few years. I am also currently acknowledging a kairos moment where new models and advanced ideas are in the periphery and am looking forward to really engaging with those in this work. I feel flexible and able to let go of old thinking to make space for more expansive visions.
Trusting the heart; The power of the transition period I went through instilled an inner conviction that allows me to go out into more conventional spheres and stay true to my beliefs, and sometimes bring light where there is darkness. It feels important for the outreach work that is central to shifting collective conscious. This quality was incubated and is empowered by time spent with other people holding their truth.

Presence and Awareness; Years of Meditation practice and a variety of other internal practices have developed my ability to remain focused and engaged in different situations. I have grown strong observational skills and watched my mental abilities speed up through the refining and clearing qualities of my inner practices. This has helped me connect to what I am feeling, and see into other peoples experience.

Nature Awareness; More specifically, the development outlined above has been part of integrating the observations and insights gained from long periods alone in nature. This has been a huge part of my overall learning; both how things function and connect, and a distillation of the experience of the laws that govern this Kosmos. I have been humbled and empowered and have a living reference and reflection library more vast than any other source. This forms the foundation of my spiritual experience and informs all my work.

Conscious streaming and Reflection; After taking the Artists Way, a powerful self guided internal creativity course, my ability to conscious stream and later reflect and identify patterns has grown. I find this an incredibly useful way to create a journal as it negates or reduces any intrusive subjective interpretation that may block a truthful experience. On a more formal level, documenting my work and making it accessible to others feels useful.

Creating (And learning to Hold) Space; I have often taken a role in various relationships where I create space for releasing distress. I have been working on this in the community setting I currently live in, consciously designing models and strategies for integral holistic management. I am acutely aware of the lack of young people skilled in this area, and feel a little helpless in regards to the lack of mentors modeling this. I am very keen to develop these skills and collaborate in this process.

Contributing and sharing surplus; I have had a yearning to create the visions I have / share with others since leaving home. I feel willing to use my life for experimenting and working for the good of others. This manifests in the ethics I live by and where I devote my energies and time. I am constantly working on being available and flexible for contribution, which feels particularly relevant in community.

Leadership and Collaborating; Setting up projects towards the end of the Diploma and teaching yurt building and PDC`s/ Natural building has developed some aspects of leadership and sharing this process. These skills feel so young and fragile but incredibly important for the future.


Here are some of my acquired skills represented on the Quadrant model;

Taking Stock, Celebrating inherent skills and capacities.....
Quadrant Analysis before embarking
Activities

· Full Permaculture design for major activity at Panya over next 6 months
Includes major food forest planting, leading a month long natural building internship as well as a range of other engaging activities and possibilities
· Teaching and implementing (collaboratively) micro- elements in regards to above
Designing sessions to educate long and short term volunteers in regards to the specific activities at hand. Encouraging collaborative design and implementation strategies to compliment and enrich experiences for all.
· Designed holistic and integral management of the Panya community over this period
Using strategies and models from other communities and draw from personal experience to design and continually evaluate how effectively management is running by check- ins, group sharing and meetings. Aiming for all round growth and providing opportunities and space for individual needs and desires.
· Collaborative book writing, applying Permaculture design to human relationships
Applying permaculture design tools to relationships with others. Far reaching, progressive, universal, practical and positive solution based, the aim is to bring an accessible and important message to the permaculture community in particular
· Establishing a personal website for courses/ consultancy
Setting up a personal website for advertising courses and workshops offered, consultancy and disseminating information.
· Converting Permaculture Diploma to a digital format/ online to aid future students
Creating an accessible and clear resource for use by new/ potential permaculture students. Addressing current lack of such resources while giving an edge for thorough review and personal clarification/ learning.
· Producing PDC notes in a form accessible and useful to potential teachers
See above.
· Solo PDC designed specifically around the island community on Koh Samui
Gaining experience in teaching alone to become familiar with more material, bring income and contribute to what constitutes a potentially powerful model easily extrapolated and taken to other places. Creative adaptation of the course to fulfil needs of a specific community.
· Approaching PAB in regards to revamping P. DIP
Input creating an updated and organised system to replace one that was personally frustrating and lacking. Gaining familiarity in a system that may be relevant to work in the future.
· Consultancy for natural building in Cambodia during the rains
Possible consultancy job teaching culturally applicable natural building methods to an International school in Cambodia. Generate income sustainably even in foreign countries, gain more practical experience and possibly visit a friends project at the same time.
· Taking creative teacher training regarding PDC`s
Expand skills and creative approach specifically in regard to teaching permaculture to improve quality and satisfy widening range of needs in students.
· Land buying festival in U.K.
A possible collaboration with a close friend in the U.K. to create a model for community empowerment through a land buying festival, combined with celebration, ceremony, education and community development work.
· Gaia BSc Sharing
Presenting this work publically to help inform and inspire others into making more conscious pathway decisions.
· Song/ Ceremony Share
Producing central site for uploading the pattern language of unifying song/ ceremony from across the Gaia network in a audio/ video format for rapid sharing.
Ideas for the years study pathway
OP2  Work at Panya Project
Integral Management at The Panya Project

Goals Articulation

The goals of this project are listed below;

    * Dive head first into a leadership role at The Panya Project
    * Utilise and maintain effective aspects of Christians leadership
    * Clearly communicate processes with community
    * Document processes
    * Establish Emotional check- ins
    * Bring new models to the Panya "Language"
    * Maintain a happy, inspired and productive community
    * Find time for my studies amidst the activity
    * Design time for personal rest and space
    * Explore edges for new growth
    * Stack functions between projects/ activities
    * Provide materials for future managers

Leading a Natural Building Internship

Goals Articulation

    * Renovate existing communal Sala
    * Produce collaborative design
    * Design for functionality and aesthetics
    * Explore as many techniques and finishes as possible
    * Maintain light and ventilation
    * Create new spaces
    * Explore aspects of Permaculture design
    * Explore community living
    * Integrate concepts from "A Pattern Language"
    * Take care of each others wellbeing
    * Meet as many other learning needs as possible

OP3 CoCommunitcation

The Goals for this project include:

    * Gain clarity on how Permaculture Design can work in Relationships
    * Gather & share personal insights and experiences
    * Develop a proposed set of directives/principles for permaculture relationships
    * Produce a book of value to others
    * Use and value diversity and edges

Personal Goals of People Working on this Project:

    * Gain experience openly collaborating with others
    * Learn how to use Wiki Software; especially to collaborate on a book-writing project
    * Gain personal insight and directives

Exploring Permaculture principles in relationships
# Deeper sense of levelstanding with Michelle
# Greater sense of Co Creation in relationship with Michelle
# More open and trusting communication
# Greater sense of how principles of Ecology stretch to every facet of our lives and that our inner Being is also mirroring ecosystem
# Deeper connection with process as opposed to outcome. This is an area I need to work on a lot still. This project has already been vital in my growth in this way.
# Learnt how to use Wiki Software
# Connected with people I would not have otherwise
# Explored NVC deeper
# Found myself relating to a new model, Theory U, which has felt really alive for me as I let go and started writing up this OP
# Rapid prototyping in Moodle write up. ( This and the next OP are very intensive in terms of research and writing input. I want to bring this academic angle into this Action Learning process, and as the main studies themselves are the process/ result of AL, the Moodle write up feels less involved for these two OP`s. In many ways these projects speak for themselves so I wanted the OP write up to be comprehensive but light and not distracting from the actual focus of the project.)
# Familiarity of Book Format, subsequently changing all OP`s to this format so that I can both print copies to share with others and have a neat and "clean" looking interface.
# Learnt more about my Graphics tablet in creating digital art
# See more fully the inherent value of collaborative work if I can learn more deeply effective ways of moving and communicating in this world.
# Note to self; Realisation not to be too ambitious! Writing a book in a month is a great idea but perhaps a little naive, especially looking into a new area of study when suffering exhaustion from already taking on too many responsibilities..........!
Outcomes from OP2
A flavour of the work...
OP3 Making a documentary
Roads Paved with Gold....
The goals for this OP Packet are listed below;

    * To gain a clear personal understanding of how the econmy has developed, particularly the last 50 years.
    * To gain clarity understanding how corporations and governments interact presently.
    * To condense large amounts of varying research into a more concise and coherent format for easy explanation to others.
    * Gain clarity personally on next actionable steps for world change.
    * Produce a film of my findings to share at my upcoming PDC.
    * Give a comprehensive overview of key events and attitudes that have affected globalisation in the last 50 years.
    * Offer positive solutions based strategies to inspire people to
    * Learn how to use my new film camera and editing software in preperation for Indonesian filming adventure.

In order to achieve these goals, whilst travelling and away from my home base at Panya, I shall rapidly research and prototype scripting for the film. The focus shall be to produce an information rich film, with less focus on film techniques. This is because at present I lack some of the necessary equipment and the computing power to process high quality film.

Watch the film here;

http://vimeo.com/8011188
OP5 Integrative model for Permaculture Teaching/project
initiation 
Goals Articulation

    * Bridge the gap between the two extremes of Permaculture teaching- "Heart" and "mind"
    * Move into teaching Solo courses to make a sustainable income
    * Integrate a strong community building aspect to the course
    * Integrate an Action Learning Internship to extend and deepen learning, establish a project, provide financial backing for start- up costs
    * Gather all the equipment needed for a mobile course set- up upon my return to the UK
    * Collaborate with land owners to create thriving projects
    * Demonstrate and imbue effective project leadership skills
    *  The course is structured much the same as many other PDCs I imagine. There is a full evening schedule that is non- obligatory, yet dense if the group is particularly desiring to maximise their use of time. There is a mix of film nights to extend learning, group shares, workshops and fun events such as conscious dance
    * All are welcome and valued!! (some of our young mothers were refused entry to multiple courses!)
    * Everyday has at least one full practical session, with games, song and ceremony in other sessions, the evening and at breaks
    * The course is shaped around progressive integration of newly acquired knowledge, with days following patterns and themes
    * The entire structure is flexible and moveable depending on the group energy and desire
    * The Group decide their schedule and are regularly involved in community decision making
    * The schedule and study discipline is gently held, led from behind, to keep things flowing constructively
    * Students cook for each other to reduce costs, support interaction and mutual effort and share favourite recipes and tips
    * Students learn about Co Councelling, World Cafe, Integral Theory and Spiral Dynamics, Conscious movement, NVC and the Patrix to form a backbone to the groups "identity"
    * Students form "Heart Keeping" and "recap" groups to take care of some of the group processing
    * Feedback "think and Listens" allow quick and effective sharing and distress release throughout the course
    * 2 or more design projects allow good integration of the design process, a chance to work on personal projects, and focus collective intelligence in the final design on the project being initiated
    * Concerns and opportunities that present themselves are utilised for learning experience
    * Human care is a central theme and strong community building exercises are valued equally to information cramming
    * People are encouraged to stay onsite, or within the locale, to keep the group energy together, and encourage meeting each others needs simply with the resources at hand

My OPs detail only part of my focused Action Learning!  Along with snippets shown on this presentation more details of what I have been doing are logged into Appendices at the end of each OP Book....
 

Details of what I am up to professionally in the world of Permaculture and Regenerative Design can be found on my website;

www.integralpermanence.org


www.triskelefarm.com
Around this time I was growing a lot of food...
Leading Natural Building workshops
Hosting World Cafes
And designing and planting 3 acres of Food Forest
Whilst all this was going on I was also....
Baking a lot in our cob oven!
Establishing no- dig beds
Taking rests!
Mixed with more building!
 Besides outputting I was also busy...
Building up my consultancy/teaching website
Making instructional videos
And setting up water filtration/ settlement systems...
Updating my CV....
Around this time Michelle and I left Panya and Thailand...
But we had time to see some turtles
So we decided to go to NY!
We decided to settle a while in the UK....
To join Michelle at the EDE course in Bangkok
Where we bought a boat to renovate...
Led a Superhero Bicycle ride...
Started my yurt building business again....
Began distilling 8 months of vision questing into a new website.....
And Conceived a baby.....!!
Spending some time connecting with family
And visiting the Possibility Alliance,
HQ for the SUPERHEROES!!
Started vision questing around a life long project
 Looking at design in relationships... 
Designed leadership...
Designing Internships....
 Assessing outcomes...
Please go back to the GEL site
for a detailed Learning Review....
Teaching more PDCs....
While still growing and nurturing the baby....
At the same time as turning my digital world
upside down getting onto OS Technology!
By this time I had taught at 3 PDCs and led a Natural building workshop....
  
I made a brief visit to the UK to
pick up thousands of pounds worth
of film equipment...
Making up rigs for portable low profile filming
To collaborate with a friend filming the Sea Gypsies in Indonesian archhipeligos...
I returned  to Thailand
Which threw the film in the air
and caused us to change plans!!
OP1 Outcomes

Professional
Business website creation
Portfolio creation
CV Creation

Personal
Clarity
Appraisal of current Situation
Inspiration/ motivation
Pause and Reflection
Reconnection to Meta awareness
Commitment to self growth/ unlearning

Project
Brainstorming for year ahead
Identifying interconnections between proposed plans
Identifying areas for focus/ growth
Celebrating achievements to date

OP2 Outcomes

Professional
Group Leadership skills
Workshop organising/ facilitating skills
Bookkeeping/ budgeting
Natural building skills
Learnt World Cafe model/ facilitation
Integral project management
Video editing/ production
Rapidly acquired digital fluency

Personal
New relationship founded on conscious design
Integration of NVC/ co councilling principles
Growth in confidence in leading
More creative “response- ability”
Clarity and purpose in direction
Greater trust in the universe
More functional relationships
Ability to encourage distress release
Creative documentation
Identification of “teachable” moments
Increased ability to articulate ideas

Project
New community space
Repair of old buildings
New gardens and planting in community
Reflection through journalling
Greater ease in community
Deeper connections in community
Clearer boundaries/ roles in community
Better feedback loops within group
More efficient group work/ inclusion
Increased opportunity for all to contribute/ be heard
More integrative teaching methods


OP3 Outcomes

Professional
Learnt to use WIKI software
Website development
Explored digital collaboration
Explored digital graphic work
More rapid growth in digital literacy

Personal
Embodied Co Creation principles
Deep reflection on relationships
Deeper connection to NVC principles
More fulfilling relationship with Michelle
Greater sense of understanding others/ potential to connect
Exploration of Theory U
Deeper connection to Integral Theory

Project
Invented new models for Eco Social realm
Produced graphics for website
Initiated book writing/ reflection
Deeper understanding of Social Ecology
Active experimentation of 80:20 rule
Exploring rapid prototyping
Transferred work to Book format
Collaboration with peers

OP4 Outcomes

Professional
Learnt to use top line digital film equipment
Learnt about film editing/ processing
Learnt about Macro global  Economics
Produced PDC Economics piece
Focused research skills

Personal
Deep insight into global finance/ government
Confidence in chosen direction
Speed reading skills
Personal Check- in with ambitions

Project
Dynamic documenting skills
Inviting deeper discussion in community
Community resource
Deeper connection to Right Livelihood

 
OP5 Outcomes

Professional
Taught solo PDC
Creative leadership development
Impair leadership skills
Initiate new PC project
Establish new model for teaching PC in UK
Bookkeeping and organisation skills
Creating community
Accumulated resources to run mobile courses
Comprehensive notes for Full PC courses
Online resources for others to utilise


Personal
Deeper sense of direction
Full trust in my abilities in this field
New connections/ friends
Deeper understanding of group processes
Right Livelihood in action!\

Project
Initiated exciting new PC project
Developed deign for integrated food forest/ perennial/ aquaculture site
Built infrastructure for future courses
Rapid prototyping of new models of designing educational courses
Bridged gap between “heart” and “mind” teaching in PC
Initiated courses for next year

Outcomes of the year outside of specific Ops

Professional
Re- established Cotton Sticks yurt making business
Taught 4 PDC courses
Led natural building workshop
Green wood -work crafts
PC Consultancy work
Developing professional website
Writing for PC magazine
Producing resources for others
Project mentoring
Digital literacy
Film/ Editing/ Soundscaping skills
Presentation skills
World Cafe host/ scribe

Personal
Became a father!
Developing/ growing in Conscious relationship
Developing spiritually
Embodying changes I wish to see in the world!
Staying tuned into awareness
Deeper Networking/ collaboration
Committed life long learning
Continued unlearning/ distress releasing
Group facilitation skills
Creative educational skills
Dynamic Leadership skills
Deeper nature awareness
Broadened and more integrated skill sets

Project
Organising Annual UK Superheroes bike rides
Created public online website for MSc work
Co Creative design/ implementation at Panya/ Strensall PC plot
Built website for cutting edge PC farm in UK- Triskelefarm.com
Writing for PC magazine
Creating conscious community events
Consulting around PC design
Creating new models for teaching PC/ initiating projects
Producing online resources for others
Creating instructional videos
Renovating boat as low impact dwelling
Action researching