Next week COP26

I'm journeying to COP26 in Glasgow, early next week.to represent and advocate on behalf of my agroecological union The Landworkers Alliance. 

I've got all sorts of feelings about this, a little bit excited of course..

The networking, and meeting with other like-minded folks from all over the globe will be doubtless be inspiring and stimulating. 

As farmers and growers, who seek to farm alongside nature, we believe we have many solutions to offer, in terms of carbon sequestering, and biodiversity enhancement, whilst providing abundance for human need. 

We can showcase the work that is already happening world wide. 

Explain what's so good about it.

Whilst campaigning to have some of the barriers we still face removed.

But at  the same time the current highly polluting industrialised food system has a powerful lobby. 

Those who profit through extractivism, and exploitation, have deeper pockets and thereby far greater influence under current systems.

Not just here in be the UK but globally too.

We must also speak up for those marginalised farmers and growers in other countries as well, largely those in the global south. 

Who have no chance of attending the COP.

Farmers and landworkers who are on the frontline of climate change.

 They are already struggling with more extreme weather, and other challenges to their survival.

So the stakes are high. 

Tackling climate change feels overwhelming.

Doing 'enough' as individuals, or even in our groups is nigh on impossible right now. 

So we need to find ways not to get swamped by it all.

And to not fall into despair. 

To still have enough lightness in our own hearts to be able to act, and speak in good faith .

Lots of us together, making small changes, but pushing in the same direction .

That's what being in a union is all about.

La Via Campesina, of which Landworkers is the UK section, is numberswise the largest global union, on the planet. 

So in those moments when I'm feeling a bit hopeless in the face of what seems like insurmountable odds.

I need to think of all those people quietly getting on with their work on their own farms, for whom we are going to Glasgow to represent.

When I was little ...

 If someone asked that question..

"So what do you want to 'be' when you 'grow up'?

I would always answer 

"A writer"

Early bookworm that I was.

In the intervening years of attempting various other sorts of 'growing up' that ambition got a little sidelined.

But now... 

There's no real excuse.

And anyway, I am a writer..

Look at me writing, right now, this very second. 🙂

I think I often get stuck in that hard place between 'taking it too seriously'

And not taking it seriously enough.

Maybe 'all' that's really required, is for me to stop worrying, and just stay on the natural ridgeline, between those two uncomfortable places.

And to even allow myself the time and space to do it.

Nobody really minds .

And some people enjoy the results.

Balance in all things...

And as to 'balance' and getting 'stuck' 

I rather lost some of the first,  and achieved some temporary 'stuckness' on the steeper crumblier down climbs of this ridge a couple of weeks back.

Not having done such manouvres for over a year, combined with a largeish backpack, meant I lost my nerve for a few moments, here and there.

Its when the smaller rocks, supporting the larger rocks above, start to move, that 'catastrophising' brain kicks in.

Breathing, and remembering where your feet are, helps a lot.

Mine companion, was pretty patient, on the whole though.

Looking back of course, it's all a breeze, and worth it for the views, on a day like this.

Foinavon Ridge NW Scotland.

Writing about travelling .

Travelling through words.

Good guardianship.

Early morning raking.

Mist, birdsong, contemplation.

Tasks of the hands and mind.

Sometimes things need taking care of in the heart, before they are bold enough to go out into the world.

The famer dharma

 When I first started up the veg box scheme about seventeen years ago round about 2003

 I had already been teaching yoga locally for about five years or so.

I'd put posters up in the old pre-internet style, giving contact details for anyone wishing to book in.

 So I'd get land line calls, asking about the details and nature of the classes.

And then - after a short while discussing the potential delights and benefits of Iyengar Yoga 

 I'd quite often get a tentative inquiry - 

"Umm you wouldn't happen to be the same 'Ruth' who does our veg box would you ??"

"Err yes actually -  'fraid so - that's me also..."

For some reason, i was a bit worried at being seen as a Jill of all trades - mistress of none perhaps ??

Which it turns out - is very probably the case -

In fact i don't actually think i'm the best ever  teacher - Nor do i expect to be.

- Neither for that matter, am i the most amazing grower of vegetables.

But I did eventually come to realise, after the usual years and years of imposter syndrome that plagues many of us. 

 That I am more than perfectly adequately OK at both - which is plenty enough.

 And that - in many ways - the doing of one - informs the better practice of the other.

Possibly I'm a better Yoga teacher for being a practical worker in the 'real world' - who understands the stress and strain, both physical and mental, of 'normal' everyday life -

 - Of having to get stuff done just because it must be done  - run a business - tackle all the problems of trying to be a 'good enough' farmer in the twenty first century.

Considering the needs of the farm, the crops, ecology, finances, workers and the community the farm nourishes.

It could be said to keep me grounded.

Meanwhile, practicing and teaching yoga requires a different sort of physical and mental discipline - alongside an ability to communicate and engage.

Happily all that strength, flexibility, and breath work, prevents me from being too badly broken physically mentally (and financially at times) by the farming.

So most of the time it's a positive feedback loop.

Within certain boundaries - There needs to be a degree moderation in all these complexities -

It can on occasion feel as if its all becoming almost overwhelmingly entangled - 

Theres 'being integrated' and then theres being caught up in something so very 'enmeshed' that it feels almost inescapable ..

And for someone who also requires a bit of space, time, and freedom to do other things, and pursue other interests - that needs keeping an eye on as well..

Its all too easy to overdo it - which is something I'm still learning to manage - but its getting better.

Hence the Farmer Dharma .

Doing earthculture as Yoga.

Doing Yoga as earthculture

Finding a balance in both these things.

But then, beyond all that, a balance in turn with all the other essential parts of life - 

Maintaining relationships, social life, political engagement, pure unadulterated fun, fulfilling pleasures, rest even. 

That last one seems a bit tricky for those of us who seem to be forever running towards, or away (?) from things.. 

Living and experiencing life with understanding, creativity, awareness and acceptance.

So of course - that requires a full understanding, and acceptance of the realities of the natural world -

Not just the fluffy loveliness of blossoming hedgerows, a well grown tomato, blue skies and seas, birdsong, and the joy of high mountain peaks - 

- But in addition to that - the less pleasant realities of physical hardship, persistent working, not giving up - feeling sad and low about stuff - times being difficult - and all the inevitable change decay, disease, and eventual death.

How to build a life that recognises and encompasses all these things, without compromising oneself, or anyone else beyond reasonable limits ??

This all needs further exploration with words and pictures i think ..

A regular posting, throughout the seasons .