The bible and The Byrds: random spring thoughts

Rich Bowden
Sep 5, 2018 · 4 min read
Spring flowers. Credit Nahid V

Thinking spring thoughts folks.

A time of renewal, change and healing. A time of growth, a time to plan, a time to… I know, this sounds a little like Pete Seeger’s “Turn, Turn, Turn” doesn’t it? The song, based on verses from the book of Ecclesiastes (and which was made so popular by The Byrds in the 60s), always reminds me of the new season.

A time to gain, a time to lose

A time to rend, a time to sew

A time for love, a time for hate

A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late

A change in seasons, a change in thinking. There’s a new determination for me coming out of the long, cold, bleak and dry winter. A deadly drought winter here in the central west of NSW but one that shows signs of abating coming into the new season. It mirrors my own thought processes. From the darkest of days, into the shiniest and most hopeful of lights.

For I want this to be the catalyst for change, in my own life. A pause before the cusp to change my world, be a better person, adjust the way I think. Enhance my relationship with family, friends, my community and, in particular, to improve my relationship with myself. Like a hibernating bear awakening for the new season, a little wiser than the previous year. A little more willing to engage with fellow beings, rather than living life as an isolated animal. Seeking to change now for the better.

Ch-ch-ch-changes. To quote David Bowie.

One of my favourite expressions is “you never stop learning,” or similarly “you’re never too old to learn.” For I believe that once you close up your thinking to new ways, your brain dies a little, becomes less agile. The way forward is obscured, diminished, even obliterated. For this reason alone, not only should one remain receptive to new ideas but actively seek them out. Test them first, of course, to see if they fit and will work under your own circumstances but always be on the lookout for new ways, new methods. Or conversely, consider a renewal of old ways. Ones that have stood the test of time for previous generations yet have been inexplicably been discarded in favour of new fads.

This is the metaphor for a new bright season. The change in season is the change in thinking based around permaculture ideas and ethics. A new time.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven ~ [Bible: Ecclesiastes]

We at Permaculture Plus would never consider the wholesale replacing of “old” thinking with the “new”, for sometimes it’s the opposite that is required. Re-introducing old-fashioned common sense into our lives, into the equation. And God forbid there does seem to be a shortage of that in our public life. Here in Australia, we’ve just installed another leader. This epic war after a brutally, backstabbing vendetta from the right wing of the ruling party over the comparatively moderate premiership of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. To go back to Ecclesiastes, it’s a time for renewal say the coup plotters. But for the majority of Australian voters, tired of the febrile bloodletting of Canberra politics, it’s definitely seen as a time for hate.

To extend the biblical metaphor to breaking limits, the refugee children locked up in detention centres must ask, when is our time? When is the time for love, the time for peace? For as permaculture teaches us, how we treat others is paramount in the type of society in which we live. Looking after people is one of the ethics underpinning permaculture practice, along with earthcare and fair share for all. Surely this compassion should extend to those seeking a better life? News of severe depression and self-harm syndrome amongst children in offshore detention has horrified a nation desensitised to the draconian turning back of refugees. Will the new season finally see us, as a people, stand up against these cruel policies? Back on the track to humanitarianism?

So, onward into the new season. Spring here in the southern hemisphere, autumn in the north. May the change in season signal a change in thinking for you. Over the next months, we’ll be bringing you plenty of this new approach but we’d be grateful for your help. If you’re interested in appearing on the show to share new thinking on anything from gardening, to sustainability, to organics, to renewables, to your version of permaculture and how it can be applied to everyday life, please contact us here. We’d love to hear from you.

To spring/autumn!

To change!

Rich Bowden

Written by

A writer of 12 years’ experience based in NSW’s Central West, I also co-host podcasts Permaculture Plus, The Real Food Chain and sustainability show Climactic.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade