18th Jun 2024 Gemini 1.5 Pro
Rhamis Kent's journey to becoming a permaculture and regenerative design expert began unconventionally with a degree in mechanical engineering. This background, he explains, provided a foundation in systems thinking and design – skills easily transferable to permaculture and understanding the interconnectedness within ecological systems. Kent’s interest in this area stemmed from a desire to understand how to address some of humanity’s most pressing challenges: food insecurity, water scarcity, and ecological degradation.
His interest in permaculture was piqued after seeing a film about Geoff Lawton's work in Jordan. He began studying with Lawton in 2009 at the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia, later becoming a co-director there. This experience launched Kent's international career, teaching permaculture principles and practices across the globe, from Detroit to Greece, Palestine, and beyond. He's observed that despite geographical differences, the challenges facing humanity, especially concerning our relationship with the land, follow recurring historical patterns.
Kent argues that many of the ecological crises we face are not new but rather are the amplification of historical patterns of societal collapse stemming from the mismanagement of natural resources. He emphasizes the work of authors like Jared Diamond, who in his book Collapse, identifies deforestation, soil degradation, and water mismanagement as leading causes of societal failure. These issues, Kent explains, are interconnected; deforestation leads to soil erosion and disrupts water cycles, ultimately impacting human societies' ability to thrive.
Kent observes a disconnect between our understanding of these historical patterns and our collective lack of action to avert repeating them. He posits that our modern consumerist culture, fueled by a scarcity mindset, is a significant contributing factor to this disconnect:
I think it's, I think we're doing exactly what it is we've been trained to do, what it is that we've been conditioned to do and sort of acculturated to do. I think at this point, people have been shaped by, I guess, what could be called a sort of an industrial or a consumerist epistemology or cosmology where you exist in the world as a consumer.
Kent points to the work of Edward Bernays, considered the father of public relations and a pioneer in using psychoanalysis to manipulate public opinion. Bernays, the nephew of Sigmund Freud, leveraged psychological principles to create desire and influence consumer behavior, shaping the landscape of advertising and, consequently, our consumption patterns. He believed in the malleability of the masses and their susceptibility to influence.
This deliberate manipulation, argues Kent, has created a culture of consumption where our value is derived from our purchasing power, perpetuating a cycle of acquisition and dissatisfaction. This cycle, he argues, distracts us from addressing the root causes of our discontent and the larger issues facing humanity.
Faced with profound personal loss at a young age, Kent found himself questioning the nature of existence and purpose in life. He sought solace in his Muslim faith, which provided a framework for understanding his place in the world and guidance on how to live ethically and intentionally. Kent highlights the Islamic concept of "Hadith Qudsi" – sayings attributed to God but not part of the Quran. One such saying profoundly resonated with him:
I am in the opinion of my slave...if he thinks of me much That's what he finds and if he thinks that I'm nothing then that's what he finds.
This resonated with Kent's observation that people often create self-fulfilling prophecies; those who believe in scarcity will find it everywhere, influencing their actions and interactions with the world. On the other hand, believing in abundance can lead to more generous and sustainable behaviors.
Central to Kent's teachings is the interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world. He emphasizes the Islamic belief that "the Earth is your mother" and that "paradise lies at the foot of your mother.” These teachings, he explains, highlight the sacred responsibility we have to care for the Earth and recognize our interconnectedness with nature. He points to the Islamic emphasis on reviving dead land and the spiritual significance of planting trees:
If a Muslim plants a tree or sows a field, And whatever of a bird or an animal or a person like eats from it, that whatever was consumed from it counts as charity for the person that planted the seed.
Kent also shares a powerful anecdote about a saying of the Prophet Muhammad that deeply affected him:
He said, at the end of time comes... and you are planting a seedling or a sapling, he said, finish planting it. ... Why did he juxtapose it with the planting of a seedling or a sapling?
This resonated deeply with Kent, illustrating the importance of continuing to act in accordance with our values and responsibilities, even in the face of uncertainty and potential hardship. Our actions, he argues, are a reflection of our understanding of our place in the world, and the Earth mirrors our collective state of being. He observes that people instinctively turn to nature for solace and grounding during times of difficulty, seeking connection with something larger than themselves.
Rhamis Kent challenges us to move beyond the purely technical aspects of regenerative design and to engage with the ethical and spiritual dimensions of our relationship with the planet. By understanding and addressing the underlying belief systems and behaviors driving ecological destruction, he believes we can create a more just and sustainable future. He urges us to act with intention and purpose, recognizing that even small acts of regeneration, like planting a seed, hold profound significance in the face of global challenges.
Airtable