Sacredness as Biomimicry

Biomimicry is defined as the intentional emulation of nature’s wisdom. As humans transition into a future that promises chaos, biomimicry is an important tool that can bring harmony.

The three essential elements of biomimicry are an ethos of respect and humility, emulating nature’s design, and (re)connecting with nature by being outside and observing its patterns for inspiration.

An example of a pattern in nature.

An example of a pattern in nature.

If we extend biomimicry to include emulating not only other species, but also humans who live or have lived in sync with nature, we can look to indigenous people’s practices for wisdom and guidance. A social aspect of biomimicry, if you will.

Expanding the ethos element of biomimicry, we might add what we can observe in the practices of native peoples, and what I observed while working in Navajo Nation:

  • See yourself as nature, and nature as yourself in your worldview
  • Take only what you need
  • Use everything you take
  • Revere nature, the source of your sustenance
  • Perform sacred rituals to practice that reverence

Now, there are many ways to define leadership.  One businessman defines leadership behaviorally:

 

“Leadership is the behavior that brings the future to the present, by envisioning the possible and persuading others to help you make it a reality.”

– Matt Barney, founder and CEO, LeaderAmp

 

This resonates with the vision of my company, Alchemus Prime. Our goal is to empower leaders to safeguard the future….now

In order to achieve this goal, we incorporate our extended view of biomimicry and its ethos, offering mediation and biomimicry exercises that encourage all three elements of biomimicry: ethos, emulate, and (re)connect. We hope to nurture the realization and practice of sacredness. This is not necessarily a religious feeling, but a profound connection and reverence for nature.

Nature is a blessing to us; how might we humans be a blessing to nature?

Feeling this sacredness, how might we act? Would we destroy? Or would we protect? Do we exploit for short-term misguided gain, or do we nurture for all future generations to enjoy? This decision marks the course of true leadership, and defines the success of humans. For we cannot destroy nature, the life support system of our human lives, and indeed of all life, and hope to persist. We must rediscover the joy of sustaining all life as the core business of business, and all human action.