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| The Sustainable Herbalist; The Sustainable Life - Page 4 |
Basically, the paradigm in which the corporate interests are promoting herbal medicine is light years away from that which has existed for thousands of years. Here is a chart comparison showing the paradigm differences, which we are confronted with. Although this chart is simplified for greater clarity, I feel that it will clearly show the current situation.
| Modern Materialist Paradigm |
Sustainable Paradigm |
| 1. Humans viewed as superior life form. |
1. Humans are equal part of the
web. Reciprocal relationship
with non-human forms. |
| 2. Earth viewed as resources
to be exploited. |
2. Earth viewed a living entity. |
| 3. High impact technology created to change environment, may be seen as extracting active ingredients through high tech means, irradiating products and possibly using genetically modified herbs. |
3. Low impact technology: utilizing "whole plant" concepts and keeping integrity of the spirit of the plant. |
| 4. Living beyond nature's limits encouraged. Excess harvesting, utilizing of herbal products based on advertising gimmicks. |
4. Living within natural ecosystem encouraged; harmonizing with nature; only mild alterations of nature when possible. |
| 5. Competition is promoted; economic growth, expansion of production and market territories seen as progress. |
5. Making products for self, family, friends, and clients. Big scale sales and mass marketing and economic growth not the goal. |
| 6. Highly standardized institutionalized training. Teachers assigned to standardized curriculum items and thus, are exchangeable. |
6. Transmission of information
from teachers with
experience, wisdom and
insight. Individualized
training. |
| 7. Centralized governing body as seen as positive move. Laws codified with regards to healing and herbs. Regulation
seen as necessary. |
7. Acknowledgement of ones
position felt from within the Heart, and from others recognizing an Authentic Human Being and healer.
Acknowledgment by mentor. |
| 8. Separation of spirituality from
the rest of life. Herbs and
healing put in the secular
mode |
8. Spirituality is integrated into
all aspects of life -
Whole/world view - one web.
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As can be seen from this brief comparison, there is a vast chasm between what is occurring and what the more optimal state can and should be. We feel that the power, money and monopoly that exist at this time over the food production worldwide and, to an increasing extent, over the herbal production, cannot be stopped. The best we can do at this time is to create a network of local herbalists and sustainable growers and support one another to keep the flame of perception of the integrative life alive.
People in the modern times are forgetting what it means to be true human beings. One aspect of a true human being is to have an integrated knowledge about foods, plants and the natural world and ones intimate relation and dependence upon it.
To ascertain the validity of this statement simply ask an average teen what they can cook - without a microwave - or what can be done about a cold, flu or minor injury without the use of pharmaceuticals. Ask them what phase the moon is in, or what seasonal changes occur with plants. For the most part, these ideas are foreign and are of no particular interest or use to the modern person. They have nothing to do with their life.
We feel we must work at preserving our knowledge of herbs and how to live an integrated life. Possibly archives of information can be gathered and spread around to various locations. Maybe we need to support and encourage oral traditions of healing. We need more than just facts about healing. We need to preserve and honor a view of the Integrated Life. This we feel may be accomplished through networking with others who are trying to live and work in this way. We are not saying to become a big nationally recognized group but instead become guardians of the knowledge so that it is not completely forgotten in the times to come.
Here are some other ideas with regards to the simple things we can do. We feel that herbalists and herbal students need to begin to garden - even if it is on a small scale. This can be accomplished in many ways that can include container planting, converting lawns to herb and vegetable gardens, herbal community gardens, as well as supporting local organic farms and possibly working with them to incorporate the growing of herbs for local people.
Networking with herbalists who have sustainably grown and harvested herbs can be powerful sources of herbal medicine rather than obtaining herbs from some of the many corporate enterprises. Believe me, chamomile flowers obtained from someone who loves their chamomile flowers will be more powerful than an herb sold in the drug store and harvested for profit only! Education outreach programs can also be helpful. Teaching classes in ones home or at local health food stores and co-ops can be very effective. Writing articles for the newsletter of these businesses can also be a positive step.
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