Chapter 10 - Yoko agriculture – a collaboration between God, humans and nature

About this chapter

Yoko agriculture is a movement in which people strive to become increasingly God-centred human beings, and the soil is nurtured in order to restore it to its original pure and fertile condition. It is a type of organic growing that helps achieve unity between God, humans and nature. Nature is not viewed as something to be used for the pleasure and profit of human beings, something to be exploited, but a precious creation of God and intimately connected with all existence. Treating nature preciously, learning from it, and developing a lifestyle to achieve harmony between God, humans and nature, is encouraged.

 The author explains the significance, aims and basic guidelines of yoko agriculture, including the four main aspects – positive, elevated innermost attitudes; cheerful, positive, kind words; True Light; and compost. There are also six guidelines that have been generally adopted for practising in the field. It is possible to communicate with plants and notice positive responses as a result of kind and cheerful words.

Dr Tebecis has spent most of his life living in cities, but he has also had a rich background living close to nature on a farm, in his childhood and youth, so he has experienced both the traditional approach to agriculture and the spiritually oriented approach called yoko agriculture. Comparing his past scientific training and farming experience with what he has learnt through practising yoko agriculture, makes fascinating reading.

The whole concept of viewing weeds and pests without conflict is not understood in agriculture normally. Even insects gobbling up plants, have their valuable purpose, it seems.

The last part of the chapter deals with the effects of practising yoko agriculture principles in daily life, for example, in being a parent and in teaching at school. An absorbing chapter indeed.

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Comments from a reader

"As a development worker dealing with agricultural development and poverty reduction in rural Asia, I have long been concerned about the deadends of current agriculture practices based on attitudes that exploit nature. The current use of pesticides is not only harmful to the health of farmers, but also to consumers. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers is also a great threat to the environment, particularly the soil and aquatic systems.

This book, amongst its many valuable contributions for people in general, points to a profound direction of sustainable agriculture development - yoko agriculture - in which people are nurtured and the soil is restored to its original, pure and fertile condition. It is interesting that the practice ultimately aims at achieving unity between God, humans and nature. With his unique background as both a scientist and a spiritualist with firsthand experience in yoko agriculture, Dr Tebecis has described the principles and practices of yoko agriculture in a clear, simple and comprehensive manner. His experiences are delightful.

This book is a must for development workers, agricultural scientists and people of the general public who are interested in understanding the linkages between health, nature, food and spirituality."

Dr Sawang Kasetkeaw, agricultural scientist, Bangkok, Thailand