Lush Presentation Sep 2014
Ruth Andrade
START BY PLAYING THE SONG LET GO
INTRO
Hi. I am Ruth.
For people who don’t know me. (slide 2) I worked for Lush for 8 years of my life, starting
in the Covent Garden shop and then moving on to the adventure of greening Lush as
best as I could. I left in 2012 to go back home to Brazil, hoping to put down roots and
create new eco-social business models.
But the only reason I felt that I could really leave Lush was that my beautiful partner
(slide 3) Paulo Mellett was doing great work with the Buying Team and the Slush Fund
so I was leaving Lush in good hands that had insider’s access. I still find it hard not to
use the pronoun “we” when talking about Lush.
I found Paulo through Lush and I lost Paulo through Lush. So I can’t think of anything
that has had a greater influence in my life. Paulo described himself as "... an
independent permaculture consultant finding high-integrity partner projects for Lush and
then designing and developing projects with them. Either by developing a traceable
supply of raw materials for Lush or through support of donations.”
(Slide 4.1)Paulo’s main goal in life was to support (Slide 4.2) permaculture education,
(Slide 4.3) building capacity for ecological agriculture, (Slide 4.3) renewable energy and
(Slide 4.4) natural building as well as (Slide 4.5) developing enterprises that can support
social, cultural and ecological regeneration. He felt that each of the past generations of
his family had made things better for the next, and he vowed to continue this work.
I read a few days ago that (slide 5) the ability to shift from fighting the old, from reacting
against the past and leaning into the future, sensing what the future that wants to
emerge is can be considered one of the most important leadership capacities of today.
In that respect, Paulo was also visionary leader with the biggest heart I have ever seen.
Through Slush, he found a way to make many of his dreams come true and his dreams
always included the wellbeing of communities, plants and animals in one interconnected
web of life.
But life works in mysterious ways and he came across the path of a mosquito, while
building water retention systems for one of Lush’s projects in Ghana. He got the most
aggressive type of malaria and due to a combination of a delayed diagnosis, a weak
immune system and multiple complications and hospital infections, after four months of
extreme bravery, he passed away in my arms at the end of last June. (slide 6)
Like my favourite song by Paulo says, the song I played at the beginning of this
presentation (slide 7):
Quote on slide:
“Let go of illusions and dreams
It may hurt you when they shatter
But the pain will set you free
No cravings or aversion
Just the total immersion
In the ever flowing love of this wandering stream”
(Paulo Mellett – Let Go)
The pain has opened my heart immensely and at the same time made me even more
sensitive and vulnerable and yet I feel this total trust in life, as the songs goes I am really
immersing myself in the ever loving flow of this wandering stream. I feel safe enough to
really throw myself into the arms of life because I trust the network of support that I
have. (slide 8) Itʼs about my experience, trust and this network of support that I want to
talk about today and also deliver a special message from Paulo.
This is one of the few times in my life I will read a speech from the paper! I hope I can
make it to the end without flooding this auditorium with my tears.
I would like to stop here and ask for a minute of silence. I am of course the only person
speaking here, but what I am asking here is that we silence the little voice in our heads,
so we can be fully present in honouring Paulo.
So I will guide you a little now if you excuse me.
Paulo once wrote that (slide 9) “when we are the intellect and the heart together, we can
achieve deeper understanding than when we compartmentalise and separate parts of
our being.”
It’s easy to be in our minds: being in our hearts requires a bit of quiet.
So close your eyes if you wish, focus on your breath, focus on the movement of your
chest expanding and contracting.
Feel how life is moving through you, through your breath and feel your feet on the
ground, feel how the earth is holding you, supporting you, all the time. If there was ever
a person that would hold like that, this would be called unconditional love.
honour Paulo /
honour all visible and invisible beings /
honour our ancestors without whose unbroken lineage we wouldn't be here /
honour the future generations to whom I dedicate this presentation
(one minute)
You can slowly come up.
LOVE AND CRISIS
The experience that I had being in intensive care for four months was the closest I have
been to unconditional love. It was the deepest love and the most profound intimacy I
have ever experienced.
It was interesting to see how in such a time of crisis our spirits shine brighter, we find
strength from unknown places, we become creative and resourceful, we do everything
in our power to see the people we love survive. People come together in solidarity as if
suddenly very busy lives can come to a pause. (slide 10) During many moments in
hospital, after having done everything I could possibly do, I could do nothing but just be
there, be present, give love.
What was happening in the hospital room was a microcosm for what’s happening in our
world today. We are in such time of crisis. We must look around us, open our hearts, lift
our heads that have been in the sand for too long and face the environmental, social and
economic crisis of our time.
(slide11) It is by recognising our multiple crisis that we can get our spirits to shine forth,
find strength from unknown places, become creative and resourceful, do everyone in our
power for our fellow living beings to thrive and come together in solidarity. And
especially, we can be present, in awareness and love.
(slide 12) Just like Paulo’s lungs were full of debri, wastes, flooded, parts collapsing so
are our forests, our air.
(slide 13) Just like Paulo’s blood had lost its capacity for self-defence, for self-healing
and regeneration, so have many of our rivers, weak and dead.
(slide 14) Just like Paulo’s kidneys could no longer filter the wastes and toxins of his own
body, neither can many of Earth’s wetlands systems, the earth’s kidneys, their root
filtering systems degraded and collapsed.
(slide 15) Just like Paulo’s bacterial population, because of all the antibiotics, became a
monoculture of a few deadly species, so are our fields, covered is super-resistant weeds
from excessive use of pesticide, our diverse forests replaced by monoculture fields of
palm, pasture, soya.
Everything so intimately interconnected as in our bodies, and yet dealt with in a
compartimentalised, reductionist way. Clear picture of interconnection and the delicate
balance that keeps us alive.
In Paulo’s case, all I could do was to try and do everything I could, my best. Knowing
that perhaps it might just not be good enough and still doing everything I possibly could
anyway. If I knew for sure he was going to survive, I could relax a little; if I knew for sure
he was going to die, I could also relax a little. This is the same as what’s happening with
the multiple crises in the world today, it’s the not knowing whether they will make it or
not that gives us power to just keep trying our best and not give up.
I thought Paulo was going to die about a month before he actually did. But I didn’t know
for sure. I made a commitment that while there was life and while he was fighting I would
fight with him.
Likewise, so long there is life and beauty out there in the world, we have to keep going,
doing our best, striving for regeneration rising above the numbing distractions of media,
propaganda, materialism.
(slide 16) From this place of humbleness, of not knowing, of openness to life, that a new
paradigm for organisations, for business, for education, for growing food, for health
needs to arise. All these crises arise from the same source, from a flawed way of
thinking that separates, that disconnects, that looks at parts instead of wholes, that
encourages us to act only in self-interest.
(slide 17) Otto Scharmer, who developed the Theory U, calls ours an ego-systems
economy arising from an ego-system awareness, driven by self-interest and organizing
around special interests. He says that we need to move into an eco-system economy
based on an eco-system reality, in which we care for the wellbeing of all, where we are
driven by a concern informed by the wellbeing of the whole and instead of organising
around special interests, we organise around common intention. (slide 18) Here are a
few descriptions of an ego-system versus an eco-system.
To create an ecosystem economical, social and cultural paradigm, we can be inspired
by the ecological principles of nature. Applying these principles to business,
organisations and relationships (slide 19):
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•
•
•
•
•
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Energy flows
Matter cycles
Diversity of ecosystems
Community: all the population in an ecosystem
Interdependence / Interconnection
Change: state of constant change (short feedback cycles)
Adaptation: physical and behavioural characteristics which allow life in an
ecosystem
We are part of ecology, we are part of nature, so it’s only natural that those same
principles should apply to our systems.
How can we bring this into business to create resilient businesses thinking like an
ecosystem? (examples)
I think the work Paulo was developing with the buying team is beginning to answer this
question (but you will hear more about it after the break).
I also like to say that the relationship I had with Paulo was very much based on
ecological principles, with a focus on interdependence rather than codependence, and
adapting and accepting change, even the ultimate change of death.
Also, In the beginning of my talk I mentioned the idea of network. I would like to bring
this back. During Paulo’s time in hospital I could really feel the power of engaging with
an interconnected, diverse, adaptable community where energy could flow and circulate
and matter could cycle. (slide 20) Many of you here took part of many of our healing
circles of our healing network. It was powerful. I want more of it.
It’s not just our inner ecology that needs healing, our relationships need healing, our
connection to the community needs healing, our connection to the planet needs healing.
Self, community and Planet. It is a common thinking in Permaculture that we need to go
beyond sustainability, it is time for regeneration, it is time for healing.
(slide 21)
Paulo’s vision is that Lush can become a regenerative enterprise, building life,
complexity, diversity. (explain a little) . This is my vision and I believe Simon’s vision too,
so we carry this forward.
We have already taken steps in the right direction. I remember many years ago, 2008 I
think. We made a video for We Believe and in it, a Lushie said that (slide 22) “we are
here to restore customers’ faith in human nature.”
That’s a powerful statement, it is about regeneration. I also feel there’s something
behind the statement that’s worth mentioning.
I was talking to Mark the other day that I believe Lush’s current financial success is do to
a highly valuable asset coveted by many big corporations: TRUST.
(slide 23) Paulo’s co-creation of the Slush Fund, building a network of regenerative
projects, intended to be based highly on trust and integrity. Paulo himself was probably
one of the people I know with the least amount of contradictions between his values and
his actions and he really brought that integrity deeply into his work.
(slide 24)I think this integrity shows in many parts of the business, and that alongside
with benevolence - the desire to do good, and ability - the competence to do a task
reliably builds trust.
It makes my heart sing that Lush can enjoy financial success from having created trust
amongst customers and it is great to have been part of that and to see Paulo’s work as
part of that.
Justice, strong ethics, transparency, caring for people, planet and animals builds trust.
(slide 25) What a great positive spiral we may have if we can use the financial success to
deliver more justice, higher ethics, wider transparency and flawless care. We can create
a stronger field of trust that can bring even more customers in.
The more we grow the more regeneration we manifest into the world. This would be a
total new shift of current thinking.
(slide 26) However, for that to occur, our power of regeneration needs to be bigger than
our power of degeneration or degradation and I don’t think we’re there yet.
To get to this place, where we can truly be a regenerative enterprise, we need more than
just Paulo’s vision, or the efforts of the Slush team, the Board or management teams.
This is not the job of any one single team. We can strengthen our network, form our own
network of healing and regeneration, strengthening our peer-to-peer support system. All
of us CAN walk our talk, and we CAN encourage each other to do so, to help each other
reveal the best version of ourselves. We CAN face the crises with courage, love and
hope, leading with out best. In my mind I can see it happening, it is possible. (slide 27)
Ultimately, it’s about choice, choosing to act according to our highest values, because
only then can we collectively deliver Lush’s highest potential as a regenerating force in
the world. Paulo is watching ;-)
QUESTIONS
I have talked a lot about my experience, of finding strength in times of crisis, of trusting
a network, a community of support around me and of a vision for living a paradigm
based on ecosystem thinking with a focus on regeneration, building life, complexity,
diversity.
Now I would like to create space for you to share.
My thinking is that creating a regenerative business, one based on trust and integrity
that supports our inner healing, the healing of our relationships and connections and the
healing of the planet and its living beings begins with each one of us. Mine is just one
experience.
So here’s what we are going to do. You are going to find a partner, someone sitting near
you, but you have to change chairs, bringing a notebook and a pen. We are going to
practice listening as well as talking. One person will ask the questions, the other
answers, listens. When I ring the bell, you change, who asked answers and vice-versa.
Please find a partner, if you don’t speak English, find someone who speaks your
language.
Raise your hand if you can’t find a partner.
Self-organise.
Now swap with your partner your notebook and pen.
So let’s take a breath, feel the connection to your breath, feel the ground and the chair
supporting you.
Whoever has widest smile will be person A and will begin answering. The other person
will just listen and take summarized notes (don’t spend all your time writing down, focus)
A. (slide 28.1)What in this talk did you resonate with the most? What stayed with
you?
B. (slide 28.2) Where in your work for Lush do you feel you are living your highest
values? How do you know?
C. (slide 28.3) Where in your work for Lush do you feel you are not walking your talk?
How can that be changed?
Swap papers. I’ll give two minutes for exchanging of ideas.
Please take your sit again and give me your full attention for the final part of this session.
I’ll tell a little story.
(GET A CHAIR)
AYAHUASCA
February last year, Paulo and I went to a place in the jungles of Peru near Iquitos to do
an Ayahuasca retreat with the (slide 29) Shipibo indigenous people.
For those who haven’t heard, (slide 30) ayahuasca is a brew made from a combination
of a (slide 31) vine and a leaf from the Amazon that together take you on an inner journey
of insight, discovery and shadow work. (slide 32) It unlocks parts of yourself and gives
you access to new information and deeper truths .
During the retreat, Paulo had some very difficult nights, facing his fears of death and of
being ill. During the ceremony, you would drink the tea and then retreat to your mattress
and spend about four or five hours in the dark, listening to the forest and to the shamans
who would through their beautiful songs called Icaros move, unclock and release things
inside you. After every ceremony, Paulo used to get a little notebook and write down his
experience during that ritual. And this is why I am really here today. At Lush, we regularly
say in our campaigns that we give voice to those who have no voice. Well today, I share
a bit of Paulo’s energy through this writing from his Ayahuasca diaries.
I ask you all to connect to his energy.
Paulo wrote:
“I started to be able to leave my mind and worries a little, and had some “channelled”
conversations with Pacha Mama, giving me thanks and love for what I do, for my
commitment. It was a recognition I don’t often give myself and was very nourishing. I
also had vision of a red dragon, breathing fire, and it was the spirit of England, then
joined by a white dragon.
They spoke to (through) me; saying that:
“You are a son of England. Remember all the gifts this has given you. Do not forget your
past or your roots. There is strength and beauty in them” I am feeling the importance of
the education and network that the UK gives me.
Then I downloaded some ”Outer Work” to do.
Write an email to my parents with the Slush report and then
I downloaded an introduction to the Slush Report.
– A message to the Lush founders and all Lush staff.
(Pause)
“ A slogan of the recent anti-war movement was – “not in my name”. So, what would
we like to be done in our name?
A core concept in permaculture is the web of life. It is nourished and maintained by
multiple, interconnected beneficial relationships. (slide 33) If certain crucial (keystone)
elements are missing from the web, the vital relationships with the other elements do not
exist. Core needs and functions are not met and the web begins to collapse.
This is the century our planet has been moving through – the collapsing of the web of life
and the disappearance of ‘Keystone Species’.
There is no web of life in industrial agriculture monocultures. But working with
ecological, nature-based farming is not enough. We must work together in balance to
regenerate our world and heal the damage that has been done.
This is why, in many of the Slush Fund projects, we have chosen to work in partnership
with training and education organistations, also supporting and serving communities in
real need, on the frontlines of environmental, social and cultural degradation and
collapse. These organistations are doing incredible work, often without much
assistance, and the relationship with Lush enables and empowers them to take their
work to a whole other level and achieve a much bigger impact. They are like
acupuncture points of healing and light around the world, whose effects will ripple out
and change (improve)the lives of untold numbers of people.
(slide 34) Lush is playing a crucial part in rebuilding the web of life. It is an economic
“Keystone Species” that is nourishing and protecting all of these seeds of regeneration,
so that they may become mighty trees, strong and independent, that will pass on many
fruits and seeds to replicate themselves multifold.
This is the lasting legacy that Lush gives to the world. This work is your work, and it is
done in your name. You are all part of this, and you should feel very proud.
(slide 35) From myself, and for the thousands of people and countless other plants and
animals who make up this story and who speak to you through me, I send deep
gratitude and love for all of your vision, support and for allowing this to happen. It is
what the earth wants” – Paulo Mellett.
(slide 36)
This work is now your work, to be done in Paulo's name and to make him feel very
proud, wherever he is. Thank you.