I drove to the event with Daniel Wahl, a Schumacher graduate and member of the Findhorn Community, in his shiny hybrid rental. We arrived early to go on a plant walk in the hills around China Camp. It was a wonderful time walking the hills sharing the stories of the plants until darkness overtook us.
The next morning we left early, thankful to be staying only a mile away from the event at the home of kind soupsters, Michael and Carolina. We walked there picking apples, figs, strawberry tree fruit (Arbutus) and dates along the way.
This was my first trip to Bioneers though I had heard about it for over 10 years...
As it turned out I only had a ticket to get in on Saturday and Sunday so Friday I spent the day moving about in spaces open to ticketless people. I spent over a hour reading the 80 page program. I appreciated their lack of intensity for those attending on the edge. I could hear some of the speakers and listened closely to Paul Stamets' talk and took a couple pages of notes. He declared, "I am just the voice of the mycelium".
I also got a sense of Ray Anderson, enlightened CEO. These people were live in the big auditorium but also available in the main tent on a big screen. This event was being shared with 19 satellite events all around the country attended by over 13,000 people (2000 at the Marin event). This whole approach of teleconferencing may have some dramatic benefits, but let us also acknowledge its drawbacks. I remember weaning myself off television in my 20's and these virtual conferences seem like glorified TV. It doesn't work for me at big music events and it doesn't do it for me when placed central in the learning environment if I can have it live.
During the afternoon I really enjoyed hearing the indigenous stories in the new Indigenous Camp. I was delighted to hear a Maori woman proclaim her amazement to see so many NZ plants growing around. Then I was able to get into Paul Stamets' main talk and took six pages of notes. I enjoyed exploring the mile long five billion year walk with signs every few yards telling us stories about that time in history. Many amazing paintings were from a book called "The History of the Earth" by Hartman and Miller (1991).
The location of the event worked okay for me. I was comforted to see Mt Tamalpais near by. The cream of the alternative organizations and businesses was there sharing their opportunities and products. The food options were excellent--best I'd seen at an event of this size.
In addition to the privilege of learning from great activists and teachers at this event, I appreciated having time with about 20 soupsters who I had not seen at least since the June gathering. Also there was a myriad of other interactions with people I had not seen for as long as ten years (how many lifetimes is that?)
On Saturday, I was able to move fully into attending sessions appreciating the opening words of the founders, Kenny Ausubel and Nina Simons and Iroquois Chief Lyons. This was followed the compelling talks of Janine Benyus (biomimicry), David Orr (Ecodesign), Bill McKibben (350.org), Greg Watson (urban renewal), and Sandra Steingraber ("Living Downstream").
In the afternoon I attended an herb walk by native American Sage DePalma with about 80 others. I would like to see a lot more herb walks happening there. Everyone should have the opportunity to go deeper with the plants during the conference. Saturday evening I attended the wonderful seed swap (sending good vibes to the ailing Gabriel Howearth). This was followed by the entertaining, poignant talk by astrologer Caroline Casey. She invoked spells, told stories, danced, prophesized and demonstrated coyote trickster energy. This was followed by a dance party.
Sunday I arrived in time for Naomi Klein's analysis of our economic/political picture. Then I left to facilitate another plant walk for a couple of hours at China Camp with about 10 soupsters. We met 20 plants growing from marsh to forest. In the afternoon I returned to attend an informative talk by Ralph Metzner and the Staff of MAPS on how psychedelics can be used as medicine. It is exciting to hear that that kind of research beginning again after decades of not being allowed. I mourned hearing of the passing Laura Huxley last year.
It was all a lot to take in and integrate. Next year will be the 20th event and they would like to see it go worldwide. Let us consider what kind of presence we might like to have as a community there. I appreciate all those who made efforts to get me there and provide shelter and food and access. Thank you.
For every ladle of soup we serve the world, let us remember to take a sip for our own health and growth.
Peace to you all in these coming times,
Frank