The regenerative paradigm

Inspiring sources

Designing Regenerative Cultures, a book by Daniel Christian Wahl
Sustainability is not enough: We need regenerative cultures, an article by Daniel Christian Wahl
Regenerative Futures - from sustaining to thriving together, a report by Josie Warden and the RSA
Flourish, a book by Sarah Ichioka and Michael Pawlyn
Shifting from sustainability to regeneration, an article by Bill Reed
Your2040: A blog post and the 2023 gathering report about regeneration
Braiding Sweetgrass, a book by Robin Wall Kimmerer

For me, regeneration is

creating the conditions conducive to the thriving of life
about generosity (talk by Ellen, Janine and Kate)
place-based: Let’s find our place & ecosystem where we plant ourselves and can contribute
building on all layers of knowing. It is about deep sensing the (local) ecosystem beyond the intellectual and cerebral. It is about depth, embodiment and quality (e.g. Theory U) rather than jumping quickly to solutionism and reactivity. The solutions of today might be the problems of tomorrow

starting with me and you¹
different for everyone: What does it mean for you?

A summary by ChatGPT²:
The term "regenerative paradigm" refers to a holistic and transformative approach that seeks to restore, renew, and revitalize systems, whether they are ecological, social, economic, or cultural. It goes beyond a focus on sustainability and aims to create conditions that enable the continuous renewal and improvement of systems rather than merely maintaining or slowing down degradation.

In the context of various fields such as ecology, agriculture, economics, and design, the regenerative paradigm involves embracing principles that mimic and work in harmony with natural cycles, fostering resilience, and promoting positive feedback loops. The goal is to create systems that not only sustain themselves but actively contribute to the enhancement of the surrounding environment.

Key characteristics of the regenerative paradigm include:

Restoration and Renewal: Emphasizes the restoration of ecosystems, social structures, or economies, aiming to bring them back to a healthier and more vibrant state. It involves actively repairing and replenishing rather than simply conserving.
Holistic Thinking: Takes a comprehensive and interconnected approach, considering the relationships and interdependencies within systems. It recognizes that different elements within a system are interlinked, and changes in one area can have ripple effects throughout the entire system.
Biomimicry: Draws inspiration from nature and natural processes, seeking to emulate the efficiency, resilience, and regenerative capacity found in ecosystems. Biomimicry principles guide the design of human systems to align with the patterns and strategies observed in the natural world.
Positive Impact: Focuses on generating positive outcomes and contributions rather than just minimizing negative impacts. The regenerative paradigm seeks to create value, improve well-being, and enhance the overall health and vitality of systems.
Adaptability and Resilience: Values systems that are adaptable to change and resilient in the face of disturbances. It recognizes that change is inevitable and seeks to design systems that can evolve and thrive in dynamic environments.
Community and Collaboration: Often involves a community-based approach, emphasizing collaboration and engagement among stakeholders. The regenerative paradigm recognizes the importance of collective action in achieving sustainable and regenerative outcomes.
Circular Economy Principles: Aligns with the principles of the circular economy, emphasizing the reduction of waste, the continuous use of resources, and the regeneration of materials in economic and industrial systems.

In summary, the regenerative paradigm represents a shift from a linear and extractive mindset to a circular and restorative one. It seeks to create systems that not only sustain themselves but actively contribute to the well-being and regeneration of the larger systems within which they operate.

Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Braiding Sweetgrass insights

Learnings from the ‘Swiss Plant Path Initiation‘ and indigenous cosmovision

With gratitude and credit to Ramona Laich

Everything has its natural place and role in the ecosystem

Alles hat seinen Platz und seine Aufgabe.

In mythology as well as their natural ecosystem, every plant and every tree has a particular role.
Just like everyone of us in this life,

Everything is related and connected

This reminded me of the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh on ‘interbeing’. One beautiful explanation can be read or listened to in his book ‘Peace is Every Step’. I particularly love the audio version at the start of ‘Part 3: Peace is every step’. He shows beautifully how all is connected and interwoven. The rose and the garbage. The things we label ‘good’ and ‘bad’.
And how everything in the universe can be found in a flower in front of us.

Reciprocity & balance

In the indigenous cosmovision it is natural to reciprocate and give back whenever we receive something.
In some cultures, this offer might have been a bit of tobacco. In others the conscious act of harvesting and tending the land.

At least as important as what plant we pick, is the way we pick the plant.

Respect is

Everything lives, communicates and has soul

Alles lebt, kommuniziert, ist beseelt.

Reality is multidimensional

While we place particular focus on the physical/material and the intellectual (including questioning and trying to understand these lines with our minds) the indigenous cosmovision acknowledges all that is including layers such as the energetic and emotional body.

1 Accessed ChatGPT on 18 January 2024: What is the definition of 'the regenerative paradigm'?
2 An interesting article about symbiosis and thriving together on National Geographic: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/symbiosis-art-living-together/