African Cosmology and Mindful Design
Mindful Design #07
Image by Thorsten Deckler in collaboration with Dr Caroline Kihato
Welcome to the seventh edition of the Mindful Design Newsletter.
If the idea of embarking on a building project feels overwhelming, what I'm about to share may provide you with a mental lifeline. But instead of offering you another list of do's and don'ts or promoting a particular service, I'd like to explore the essential mindset required to navigate your building journey successfully.
Disclosure, I won't be introducing anything new here. Rather, I'll draw your attention to what Eckhart Tolle calls “the box of gold we’re sitting on whilst begging for alms”. So, if you're ready to open that box, read on.
Further disclosure: It’s going to get spiritual, but don't worry, I approach this from an agnostic point of view. (I only pray in times of extreme desperation). Hang tight!
In a recent collaboration with Dr. Caroline Kihato, an academic researcher and writer, we created a visual representation of the cosmology of the Bakongo people (pictured above). The Bakongo originated in Central Africa and like many indigenous cultures living close to nature, they perceived life as an intricate cycle interwoven with the natural rhythms of the world. Their worldview encompassed profound, everyday phenomena, like celestial events, the four essential elements (fire, water, air, and earth), and the spirit realm (subconscious) in relation to the physical world.
Creating this illustration sparked a realization, that reminded me of a wisdom that is already part of us: the knowledge that everything is interconnected and that cycles of death and decay are invariably followed by re-birth and growth. It also reminded me that our pursuit of simple solutions often complicates matters by ignoring the bigger picture.
The construction industry is a complicit in this dilemma as it provides a plethora of technical fixes to isolated problems, whilst neglecting the broader context and the overall need we have for spaces that offer us connectedness and belonging.
Money guru Suze Orman emphasizes, "People first, then things, then money." Getting the first two right will naturally lead to money. If we put money first, we ignore the actual value a project can create. You can read more about price vs value here.
So, to access your ‘own gold’ you may start with recognising the interconnectedness of life, just as the Bakongo and so many other cultures did before western ‘civilisation’ came along. Doing so helps lay a solid foundation for making thoughtful decisions about the spaces and buildings you create. And when you ground yourself in the simple things that sustain joy and delight over time, you will get a clearer vision of the whole to guide you and everyone else involved in the building process.
If the idea of living and building more mindfully makes sense, but you are still not sure where to start, I encourage you to explore the Mindful Design Approach here. It is a step-by-step process designed to guide the building journey. You can also download a free Project Planning Pack which helps you get an overview of your project here.
Down about Johannesburg?
It may help to see the city as part of the cycle of life too. My partner, Heather, and I recently took a tour of the inner city with Joburg Places. The experience reminded us of the unique vibrancy and beauty of Johannesburg that is so unlike any other place we know. We encountered instances where the cycle of decay has set in, but also many positive transformations. Despite its issues, Joburg has tons of charm and vitality, if you care to look. For more details about the tour, you can read Heather's blog here.
Thorsten Deckler is an architect based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He helps people create spaces that prioritize human well-being by employing the Mindful Design Approach. You can see more of his sketches of Johannesburg, his travels, and his design process on Instagram @thethinking_hand.
