I've been a fan of the "permaculture" principles and approach for years. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. I looked for a guide to apply it in my life, in my garden. I was quickly put in touch with Bernard Alonso, a permaculture practitioner who first applied his principles for years on his farm in Rougemont. Mother Nature took her bundle and has been teaching it internationally for just as long. I had a taste of his training for two days 4 years ago, and I've been trying to apply this way of life ever since. I never thought I would be so enriched by an intensive week. I love permaculture for life. I always want to learn more (like Bernard, after 22 years). And I am delighted and privileged to be able to share my inspirations with you.
- Human permaculture: the first time I tried it, I was struck by the power of the team; I am shy, I don't tend to approach others, finding myself with strangers to work with perplexed me; a revealing exercise was that of discovering strangers under their qualities, their talents; in turn we had to list our skills (very beneficial at the base, we are not used to it); it was once all the talents gathered on paper that I realized to what extent everything was now possible thanks to one or the other, and that as Bernard says, ideas flow, errors are almost impossible!
- The right brain: a shock; a few tests (like this one) made me realize that I was disconnected from my instinct; fortunately, we can strengthen it and day after day, we get back in touch with it, an extraordinary guide who does not deceive us
- Permaculture in the garden: imitating nature is so simple and we don't think about it; so I learned the laws to apply to have fertile soil... better, I learned how to make fertile soil ! Incredible! I feel rich from then on (the last time I had soil brought for the vegetable garden of Eden, it cost so much)! If we imitate nature, we leave the soil covered (its population is then happy and can swarm), we don't compact it, we don't plow it, we let the plants die on the spot and... I'm missing one, it must have a link with diversity, there is no monoculture in nature!
- Economic permaculture: I understand that at this level, I am a permaculture practitioner: money is only a tool, I no longer act based on earning money but by following my instinct (which does not deceive), the more it goes, the more naturalization wins over consumption
- Energy autonomy: Francis (passive solar houses) has ignited this dormant notion: becoming autonomous in terms of food, yes, but also in terms of energy, i.e. water and sun! My my my!!! exciting and realistic! I see it as early as August when we will build a passive solar greenhouse and I want to recover the water, more
- Seeds: Is it true that organic production does not require organic seeds? That hybrid seeds are not fertile and that it is easy to layer lavender?
- Identifying your niche: Do you know yours and how to apply your passions and talents to a thriving lifestyle? It's mind-blowing... on every level.
- Sharing: my niche being that of the unifier and communicator :), I enjoyed introducing my caregiver friends and having them share their knowledge, how we can heal ourselves with nature: Mathieu, Luc, Vanessa, Ingrid and Véronique spoke about geosophy, aromatherapy, Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy and naturopathy
From growing potatoes on cardboard and under straw to prepare a self-fertile mound to the recognition and gratitude of the trainers (what a beautiful box filled with everyone's letters I opened this morning, thank you!), the passion of the teachers (if you knew the number of students who have passed through Bernard and who have started businesses that do good... and even the difference for many of us today, David and Mathieu from Crudessence, Jonathan Raymond from espace ayurveda, Francis Gendron from solutionera, Lyne from graines du patrimoine, Mathieu géosophe... ... ...) of the welcome and participating children, of the dishes washed in the sun because it destroys bacteria in a few minutes, I am fulfilled and transformed for life... and I can't wait to continue!
See you later!
We've been filming a lot for our YouTube channel, so you'll have the chance to be infected too!
And if you want to give yourself this gift of life (some told me it was the most beautiful ever received, everyone was filled with knowledge that is out of the ordinary and guides us towards fulfillment, at all levels), there are still a few places available at Bernard's next training in Frelishburg from August 3 to 15. I wish you the best!
Here are the testimonies received:
- "Thank you for this magical, inspiring, and enriching experience. Lots of ideas and ways to continue..."
- "This week was enriching for me, filled with positive and very revealing emotions. I was able to rediscover myself so that I could choose myself better. Thank you for your immeasurable generosity, for putting everything in place, for sharing your haven, your homes with us, and for making all this possible..."
- "In your world of sharing and simplicity we have learned to live better."
- "My heart is filled with gratitude"
- "I feel enriched to have had the opportunity to meet all these extraordinary people and to have had access to their knowledge and their passions."
- “So enriching, I left with lots of tools...”
- "It is with a heart full of inspiration that I leave. I have found a philosophy of life that will follow me."
- "Thank you for this enriching week and everything you undertake and share with us."
- "You are inspiring, I will continue to read and follow you."
- "Bernard is really great"
- "What you do is very important to us, you open our eyes and hearts to a multitude of possibilities and beauty."
- "Thank you for allowing me to learn without having to be tested on my knowledge."
- "Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your research, and your collaborators who do us good. I am excited to observe, apply, and be."
- "It's a pleasure to know you, we're a real team together." Bernard
Photo credit, Marïphotographie
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