Subtle Agroecologies: Farming With the Hidden Half of Nature (Advances in Agroecology)

Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Boxes
Acknowledgements
Editors
Contributors
Introduction to the Book
SECTION 1 Transformative Epistemological, Philosophical and Theoretical Frameworks
	Chapter 1 Re-Enchanting Agriculture: Farming with the Hidden Half of Nature
		Prelude: Something Happened in a Hot Tent in Telangana
		Introduction: The Stranglehold of the Industrial Worldview
		Towards Understanding the Cognitive Factors behind the Industrial Worldview
		The Blind Spot of Contemporary, Ecologically Based Farming Systems
			Harmony and Balance: The Indigenous Relationship of People, Land and Nature
			Do Ecologically Based Farming Systems Fully Embrace Indigenous Praxis?
		Introducing Subtle Agroecologies: Farming with the Hidden Half of Nature
			The State-of-the Art of Subtle Agroecologies
			Towards a Definition of Subtle Agroecologies
		Conclusion
		Acknowledgements
		References
	Chapter 2 From the Mainstreaming of Western Science to the Co-Evolution of Different Sciences: Addressing Cognitive Injustice
		Introduction: Cultures, Worldviews and Sciences
		Understanding Mind and Matter
		Agricultural Practices from Different Worldviews
		Specific Agricultural Practices
			Sri Lanka: Mantras, Yantras and Kems
			Agnihotra in India
			Sacrifices and Festivals in the Andes
			Seeking Ancestral Support in Africa
			Harmonising the Earth and Cosmic Forces in Europe
		The Trans-Cultural Notion of Science and Its Co-Evolution
		Scenarios for Inter-Science Relations: From Domination to Complementarity
		Possible Challenges and Opportunities
			Redefining the Role of Universities
			Dealing with the Strong and Weak Points within the Dominant Forms of Knowledge
			Challenging the Dominant Worldview and Epistemology
		Conclusion: Dialogues between and about Sciences
		References
	Chapter 3 Conversations with Nature Spirits: The Political Ecology of Power and Progress in Rural Zimbabwe
		Introduction
		The Landscape and Its People
		Changing Relationships with the Landscape
		Culture Laced with Power
		The Role of More-Than-Human Interactions in Generating Change
		Arriving at Place
		Coming Together on the Land to Heal the Past
		Conclusion: Connecting the Dots
		References
	Chapter 4 The Forgotten Ground: Recollecting the Primordial Harmony
		The Primordial Sense of Order
		Orders of Truth
		Narrative Consciousness and Teleology
		The Ethical Relation with Nature
		Justice and Nature
		Nature as Intelligent
		The Natural Inclination to Responsible Knowledge
		The Natural Virtues
		Natural Law
		Ownership and Right Use
		The Rise of the Proprietorial Self
		The Commodification of Nature
		Recollecting the Primordial Harmony
		References
	Chapter 5 Humans Are Humus: Using Eco-Psychology to Highlight the Language of Dualism and the Promise of the Non-Dual
		Eco-Psychology
		Modern, Western Concerns for Soil: Good Intentions, Problematic Language
		From ‘Inner Soil’ to Being Soil
		Humans as Humus: An Eco-Psychological Look at Human/Soil Relationships
		Other Non-Dual Perspectives: Buddhist, Eco-Feminist and Indigenous
		Conclusion
		References
	Chapter 6 A New Science from a Historical Figure: Goethe as Holistic Scientist
		Introduction
		The Rejection of Over-Reliance on Theory
		All in Flux: Time and a Sense of Mobility
		The Role of the Human Being
		Goethe, Steiner and Biodynamic Agriculture
		Barbara McClintock’s Understanding of Organisms
		Conclusion
		References
	Chapter 7 From Quantum Biology Towards Quantum Consciousness
		Introduction
		From Quantum Chemistry to Quantum Biology
		Towards Quantum Consciousness
		Future Outlook
		Acknowledgements
		References
	Chapter 8 Healing Our Relationship with Gaia through a New Thrivability Paradigm
		Introduction
		The Cost of Conventional Progress
		Comparing Indigenous and Mechanistic Worldviews
		What We Can Learn from the Infodynamics of Healthy Living Systems
		Farming of Tomorrow
		Acknowledgement
		References
SECTION 2 The Intersection of Wave-Based Science and Agriculture
	Chapter 9 Electromagnetic Fields Mitigate Adverse Effects of Environmental Stresses in Plants
		Introduction
		Effects of MFs on Abiotic Stress
		Effects of MFs on Biotic Stress
		Conclusions and Perspectives
		Acknowledgements
		References
	Chapter 10 Practical Uses of the Method of Epigenetic Regulation of Protein Synthesis in the Agricultural Field
		Introduction: The Genodic Method
		The Four Project Cases
		Materials and Methods for the Four Cases
		Results
		Conclusion
		Acknowledgements
		References
	Chapter 11 Astronomical Rhythms in Biodynamic Agriculture: A Brazilian Case Study on the Yield and Quality of Daucus carota L. under Biodynamic Management
		Introduction
		The Importance of Ethno-Astronomy, Past and Present
		Influence of the Moon on Plants and Animals
		The Use of Astronomical Rhythms in Biodynamic Agriculture
		Final Considerations
		Acknowledgements
		References
	Chapter 12 Electromagnetic Parameters Related to Plants and Their Microbiomes
		Introduction
		Explanation of Some Electrical Terms
		Electric Phenomena Inside the Plant
		Using These Electrical Parameters to Better Understand and Monitor Plants’ Status, Development and Processes
		Effects of Applied, External, Electrical (Electromagnetic) Factors on Plants and Their Microbiomes
		Don’t Forget the Root Microbiome
		Discussion and Conclusions
		References
	Chapter 13 Homeopathy Applied to Agriculture: Theoretical and Practical Considerations with Examples from Brazil
		Introduction: Historical Overview
		Towards Understanding the Mechanisms behind the Concept of Homeopathy
		Applying the Concept of Integrative Homeopathy
		Examples of the Use of Homeopathy in Agriculture
		The Appropriateness of Homeopathy for Agroecology
		Final Considerations
		Acknowledgements
		References
	Chapter 14 Effect of Low-Power Laser Biotechnology Pretreatment on Shooting and Initial Growth of White Mulberry and Sugarcane under Flood Stress
		Introduction
		Effects of Low-Power Laser Biotechnology Pretreatment on the Shooting and Initial Growth of Mulberry and Sugarcane
			Materials and Methods
			Results and Discussion
		Effects of Low-Power Laser Biotechnology Pretreatment under Flooding Stress in Mulberry and Sugarcane
			Materials and Methods
			Results and Discussion
		Conclusions
		Acknowledgements
		References
	Chapter 15 Fluorescence Excitation Spectroscopy (FES) to Evaluate the Farming System’s Impact on Food Quality
		Introduction
		The Method of FES Measurements
		Effects of Farming Systems on Food Quality, Measured by FES
			1) Wheat from the ‘DOC-Trial’ Field Experiment
			2) Apple Quality: Maturation and Growing Conditions
			3) Emission Spectrums as Dependent on the Type of Sample and the Sample State
			4) Cocoa Beans Grown in Monocultures or in Agroforestry Systems
		Conclusions
		References
	Chapter 16 Picturing Vitality, the Crystallisation Fingerprint Method
		Introduction
		The Crystallisation Method
		The Influence of the Agricultural Method
		A New Perspective on Food Quality
		References
SECTION 3 In Search of More Embodied Methodologies
	Chapter 17 Calibrating the Body: Embodied Research Strategies for Attuning to Subtle Information
		Connecting with the Other-Than-Human
		Information Exists All Around Us
		Broadcasting between Body and Environment
		Opening Up to Different Ways of Knowing and Learning
		Calibrating the Body as Instrument: Towards Multi-Levelled Literacy
			Deeper Familiarisation with the Body
			Territory of the Heart and Emotional Literacy
			Cultivating Right-Brain Abilities and Expanding Consciousness
			Nature Immersion
		Closing
		References
	Chapter 18 The Art of Food Rituals as a Practice in Sympoiethics
		Inhabiting Sympoiesis
		Re-Cognising Ritual
		Knowing Through Food Rituals
		Introducing FieldTable
		Experiencing FieldTable
		Cultivating Sympoiethics
		Conclusion
		Acknowledgements
		References
	Chapter 19 The Systemic Constellations Method Applied to Agriculture
		Introduction
		The Evolution of the Systemic Constellations Method
		The Development of Nature Constellations
		Selected Case Studies to Explore the Method
		Reflections on Representative Perception
		Reflections on Interspecies Communication
		Information from and about Ecosystems
		Human Systems Interacting with Ecological Systems
		General Reflections
		Conclusion
		References
	Chapter 20 Engaging in the Goethean Method: An Approach for Understanding the Farm?
		Introduction
		Goethean Observation as a Careful Process
		Choosing the Thing to Study
		Pre-Stage: Clearing the Workspace
		Stage One: Exact Sense Perception
		Stage Two: Exact Sensorial Imagination
		Stage Three: Seeing-in–Beholding
		Stage Four: Being One with the Object
		Conclusion
		References
	Chapter 21 Intuitive Farming: Heart-Based Decisions for Harmony in Agricultural Ecosystems
		Introduction: Intuitive Communication as an Age-Old Practice
		Defining Intuitive Communication
			Defining and Understanding Intuition
			Intuitive or Interspecies Communication
		Applying Intuition in Farming
			Emerging Research on Intuitive Communication in Farming
			The Transformation of the Intuitive Farmer
		Conclusions
		Acknowledgements
		References
	Chapter 22 An Investigation of Sustainable Yogic Agriculture as a Mind–Matter Farming Approach
		Introduction: A Paradigm Shift for Farming Practice?
		Researching Sustainable Yogic Agriculture
		Results: An Overview of SYA Methods and Practices
			The Origins of SYA Methods
			The Metaphysical Component: Practice of Raja Yoga Meditation
			Physical SYA Practices
			Farmers’ Code of Conduct
			What Are the Impacts of SYA Farming Methods?
				Results of Published Research Trials on the Impacts of SYA
			Farmers’ Perspectives on the Impacts of SYA
		Discussion: The Mind–Matter Connection
		Conclusions
		References
SECTION 4 Voices from the Field
	Chapter 23 The Etheric Realms as a Foundation for Exploring the Use of Radionics with the Biodynamic Preparations
		Introduction
		The Advance of Western Science, from Kant to Goethe
		Maxwell’s Ether and the Etheric Realms
		My Farm Journey
		Exploring the Biodynamic Preparations through Radionic Applications
		Conclusion
		References
	Chapter 24 The Subtle Life of the Bee and Its Importance for Humanity
		The Demise of the Bee?
		Understanding the Intricate Life of Bees
		Evidence on the Physical and Metaphysical Characteristics of Bees
		Colony Collapse Disorder and the Impacts of Electromagnetism
		Bee-Friendly Beekeeping
		Conclusion: The Importance of Flower Power
		References
	Chapter 25 Exploring a Dynamic Role for Water in Agriculture
		Introduction
		Phenomenological and Epistemological Background: The Union of Sense Experience (Percepts) and Ideas (Concepts) as the Basis of Knowledge
		Geometry and Gestures in Flow: Spiral and Ring Vortices
		Rhythm – Another Gesture of Flow
		The Dynamisation of Water
		Flowform Movement: An Alternative Method of Dynamisation
		Homeopathic Potentisation
		Concluding Discussion: Research with the Life-Forming Forces
		References
	Chapter 26 Land Whispering: Practical Applications of Consciousness and Subtle Energy Awareness in Agriculture
		Land Whispering
		Communication with the ‘Spirit Realms’: From Human and Angelic to Elemental and Nature Spirits
		Understanding Dragons/Earth Meridians
			The Curious Case of Angora Rabbits
		Engaging with Elemental Consciousness
		Engaging with Nature Spirit Consciousness
			Why the Difference? What Might Be Done?
			Could the Trees Help in Any Way?
		Healing and Renewal of Residual Human Energies
		Further Tuning and Optimisations
		Conclusion
	Chapter 27 Rediscovering Ancient Pathways for Regenerative Agriculture
		Subtle Energy as the Next Big ‘Freebie’ in Agriculture
		Harnessing Subtle Energy through Geomancy
		The Art of Dowsing
		Field Towers and Broadcasters
		Indigenous Totems and Nature Spirits
		References
	Chapter 28 Experiences with the Metaphysics of Nature
		Introduction
		Surviving and Learning in Tasmania
		Goodbye Tasmania … Hello Organic Farming Consultancy
		Conclusion
Biography of Contributors
Index