What do we think of when we hear the word pattern? Perhaps a familiar physical object. Or maybe, pattern as a less visible mental tool. Pattern can be, and is, both of these; and we use each of them over and over in our everyday lives. Most essentially though, pattern is about connections, and relations. And therefore, also consequences. Just how and why we recognize, use, and create pattern can still be a mystery. Nevertheless, it is a powerful asset. In an increasingly fragmented world, pattern provides a way for us to generate the relationships we now need: with the larger more-than-human world around us, with others, and even within ourselves. However too-often we relegate pattern to that which is restrictive, inflexible, the merely decorative, or just plain boring. This book tells the more positive story - through conversations with ten people from different backgrounds who use pattern day-to-day in its more expansive guise: ? a landscape ecologist ? a physiotherapist ? an architect ? an acupuncturist ? a Feldenkrais practitioner ? a permaculture practitioner ? a choreographer ? an artist ? a psychotherapist ? and a teacher of mathematics. All are keen to reverse the dead-ends of our current condition. And each reveal important insights about how pattern assists to work in a connected, relational way. Our discussions also draw on often forgotten but still useful applications of pattern from past ages, and traditional societies. And connect with a growing global advocacy, happening right now, of how pattern can deliver the perspectives we now need. This book extends this advocacy through our practitioners' skills and experiences. It concludes with six common themes - patterns in themselves - that we too can adopt to create a renewed wholeness to life: rich, stimulating, and, above all, connected.
Gregory Paine is a researcher at Western Sydney University. He undertakes research at both Western Sydney University and the University of New South Wales. This follows more than 20 years of experience in environmental planning practice in State and local government, and overseas. This work resulted in a number of professional awards. Following initial qualifications in town planning from the University of New South Wales, Greg completed a master's degree in environmental management through the WHO Collaborative Centre for Environmental Health at the then University of Western Sydney, and subsequently a doctorate in sustainable development. This research took an integrative and multi-disciplinary approach to investigate how individuals understand, evaluate, and practice 'sustainable development' in their everyday lives.
