Dear Allan, You said:
>Bob - Biodynamics is a system. Unlike factory-oriented approaches, >biodynamics cannot be 'parted out,' so, if you want to use a >biodynamic element as a "tool" in your hydroponics operation, well, >you still ain't doing biodynamics and there ain't any real reason to >discuss what it is that you are doing on this list. > >Further more, I should hasten to add, many people would argue that >biodynamics begins with the soil, so, you probably aren't ever going >to be doing biodynamics in your hydroponics operation and there ain't >a lot of reason to discuss what it is that you are doing on this list. > >OK? > >Thanks -Allan Balliett moderator BD Now! Well, I couldn't disagree with you more and I would very much appreciate it if you would send Bob's email address to me so we could discuss this. Fundamentally, what Steiner was teaching is in the title for his lectures, to wit: "Foundations for the Spiritual Renewal of Agriculture." The "tools" as you describe them, are essential for the working of the approach but they are not the "system". I have studied hydroponics extensively and I am convinced that a Steiner approach to it would not only bring more spiritual energy to the plants grown, but sweeter, tastier, longer lasting vegetables also that are highly nutritious both physically and metaphysically. This spring, my company is going to start research on hydroponics using our field sprays and other Steiner derived techniques. I will not consider, even for a millisecond, that this could be called "biodynamic". And to this comment I must add, "biodynamics" today has little relationship to what Steiner taught anyway. It is far too limiting and limited as it is practiced and promulgated by the self-appointed leaders and organizations. So to shoehorn the limited concept of "biodynamics" into hydroponics is an act, I think, that is both foolhardy and self-limiting in and of itself. Also, as practiced today, "biodynamics" is not a system. It is a group of practices cobbled together by, in many cases, well meaning people who, for the most part, fail to grasp the most basic concepts of this approach to farming, which is, again, the reintroduction of SPIRITUAL ENERGY into our food which is lost due to the practices that are common to what is now called "conventional agriculture". To quote RS himself, "Nutrition as it is today [1924] does not supply the strength necessary for manifesting the spirit in physical life. A bridge can no longer be built from thinking to will and action. Food plants no longer contain the forces people need for this." To put a finer point on this, food today lacks spiritual nutrition. Steiner's techniques bring this back. Use his techniques and the spiritual energy will return. The emphasis is on SPIRITUAL. Not the techniques or "system". It is readily possible and predictable that this spiritual energy which energizes the soul toward enlightenment can and will be "injected" (if you will) into hydroponically grown food just as easily as we now do it with our food sprays into a plate of food on the table, ready to eat. It happens instantly. One of the many troubles with "biodynamic" thinking is the sort of self-limiting comments such as you made and I have proven, beyond any doubt at all, don't apply IF one takes a wider view of just exactly what RS was trying to convey and concentrates on the goal instead of the means. Please don't take this criticism personally. I am directing my comments only at your comments. (I love you, man.) But you must not fall into the trap so many others fall into. Again, would you please forward Bob's email address to me. I would really like to discuss this with him. Sincerely Yours, Greg Willis (You may place this on bdnow if you wish.)
