Permaculture Practice 1:How We Think ‐ Foundations for Living Lightly

This book explores the thinking that underpins thoughtful permaculture practice — before techniques, designs, or decisions are made.

Rather than focusing on what to do, it invites a pause: a slowing down of pace, attention, and assumptions. It looks at how habits of thought shape the choices we make, often unconsciously, and how developing discernment can lead to more appropriate, grounded action.

Drawing on lived experience as a practitioner and educator, Cath Sheldrick introduces ways of thinking that support clarity, realism, and responsibility. Central to this is the ORLA framework — a simple structure for holding objectives, resources, limitations, and analysis — which helps prevent rushed or unrealistic decisions.

This is not a manual or a checklist.

It does not offer recipes or quick fixes.

Instead, it supports the development of critical thinking, patience, and awareness — skills that are essential whether you are working with land, people, projects, or complex systems.

This book can be read on its own, or alongside the accompanying audio course and community discussions hosted on the Skool platform.

Suitable for:

those new to permaculture

experienced practitioners seeking to slow down and reflect

educators, mentors, and facilitators

anyone interested in living lightly, with care for people and place