Design 01: The Mă-Kè Bonsai Way – Regenerative Bonsai Culture
This design marks the starting point of a transformative journey in permaculture through the ancient yet evolving practice of bonsai. The Mă-Kè Bonsai Way reframes bonsai not as ornamental art, but as a regenerative, spiritual, and ecological discipline aligned with permaculture’s core ethics: Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share.
Drawing on decades of bonsai experience, the design incorporates patterns from permaculture, Ayurveda, Zen philosophy, and indigenous wisdom. It offers a vision for bonsai as a medium of healing, mindfulness, and regeneration. Through mindful pruning, local sourcing, organic soil care, and community engagement, bonsai becomes a portal to deeper ecological awareness and personal transformation.
Structured around Looby Macnamara’s Design Web and strengthened by tools such as SMARTER goals, SWIC analysis, and Pattern Language, the design proposes a four-phase implementation plan for The Mă-Kè Bonsai Way 2.0. This plan includes community building, permaculture integration, education, and ongoing evaluation. Ultimately, this design is not just about growing trees in miniature. It is about growing ourselves — slowly, deliberately, and in a deep relationship with the living world.
Framework/s: The Design Web and The Mă-Kè Way Framework
Focus: Regenerative bonsai practice inspired by Zen, permaculture ethics, and seasonal cycles.
Tools: SMARTER Goals, SWIC Analysis, Pattern Language, Six Thinking Hats.
Document Format: PDF
Total Length: 33 pages
Estimated Read Time: 35–40 minutes