Seems, to me, like permies could benefit from a bit of what biodynamics has to offer. To wit:
1) Often in permaculture design courses "observation" is stressed. But never to the depth of Goethean science, which underlies biodynamics. Try an accessible book like Craig Holdrege's "Thinking Like a Plant" to learn about this very different way of seeing the world.
2.) Materialistic minded permaculturists love "systems theory," a concept which comes from the science of ecology. Good, but we've got to go beyond such a view, which is still firmly materialistic, even if it is pretty cool.
3.) The material and physical are one thing, but don't forget the spiritual! "Spiritual science" (biodynamics) picks up where natural science leaves off.
4.) Make it real and relevant, many permaculturalists are increasingly saying. Great! This means taking into consideration the "invisible structures" of the social element. How many awesome permaculture designs have been abandoned by well-meaning non-profits, mostly because this is not the right social structure for something living like that to thrive in? Biodynamics (and the spiritual science behind it) have much to say about how society can best be ordered. Consider the innovative alternative economic arrangement of CSA, for example. The first CSA farms were biodynamic farms. I even wonder if the sacred "Ethics" of permaculture could be re-figured to be more in line with Steiner's three-fold social order. Anyone have ideas on that theme?
