In Tune with Gaia: Remembering Stephan Harding
Written by Chaitali Chaudhari and Sarah Hawkins
First Published in Radical Ecological Democracy:
The much-loved and revered Gaian Scientist and co-founder of Schumacher College, Dr. Stephan Harding, passed away on September 2nd, 2024. In this moving tribute, Chaitali Chaudhari shares some tender moments and lessons from her time with Stephan, whose wisdom, wit, and wonder opened his students’ hearts and minds to the music of Gaia.
Dr. Stephan Harding. (Pic by Julia Posonby.)
Gayatri Mantra.
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः (Whole Earth, cosmos, heaven)
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम (That Sun maintains everything)
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि। (Divine Angelic wisdom saturated)
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात॥ (That wisdom us, activate and inspire.)
Stephan often expressed his deep fondness for the Gayatri Mantra, which he learned from Satish Kumar. During a talk at the Schumacher College Student Symposium in March 2023, he shared this English translation and how the mantra’s meaning resonated with him. Stephan drew commons between the Gayatri and Gaia. ‘Gayatri’ has several meanings; one of them is the supreme consciousness, she who protects the singer of this mantra. And Gaia; “traditional peoples all over the world have believed in an Earth mother who bestows life and receives the dead into her rich soil. The ancient Greeks called her Gaia, the earthly presence of anima mundi, the vast and mysterious primordial intelligence that steadily gives birth to all that exists. The great nourishing subjectivity—at once both spiritual and material—that sustains all that is.” (Harding, 2009 p.11)
Stephan playing his guitar in our class.
My friend Minna once told me, “there’s a teacher at Schumacher College who starts class by playing the guitar.” And sure enough, there was Stephan, introducing himself not just as a scientist, but as a mystic. I think most people would believe me if I said he could make the stars dance with that guitar.
Co-founder of Schumacher College, Dr Stephan Harding dedicated his life to teaching Gaian science in a practical yet relatable way, offering a vision of the world where Earth is not just a planet but a complex, self-regulating organism—alive, breathing, and interconnected. His wisdom, drawn from his deep relationship with the teachings of James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis, bridged the gap between science and spirit.
Deep Time Magic
In Stephan’s classes, science wasn’t just something I learned; it was something I lived. He had an incredible ability to weave together science, myth, soul and spirit in a way that left an indelible mark on all who encountered him. One of the most memorable experiences Stephan gifted us was his Deep Time Walk, where he invited us to walk through Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history, physically embodying the timeline of life itself. During our journey, I felt a mysterious connection between science and the mystical. There was a strange, beautiful clarity in understanding Gaia’s journey of existence. It stirred something profound within me, reminding me of my small yet significant place in the vast web of life.
That experience put me in an uncomfortable yet wonderful place of reflection: how can science feel so magical?! I later realized that what I had discovered was the Alchemy of Gaia! This transformation was perhaps the point where Earth systems science, as Stephan would describe, became “Gaian science” for me. In the process of learning about the existence of Gaia, I realized I was an inherent part of it.
During our Deep Time Walk, Stephan (far right) would celebrate key moments in Gaia’s journey with imaginary Schumacher Champagne. For this special walk, we celebrated with anima mundi cookies, baked by Schumacher College’s head cook and Stephan’s wife, Julia Ponsonby.
Getting ‘Gaia’d’
I vividly remember crafting a ‘Gaiascope’ as Stephan details in his book, ‘Gaia Alchemy’ (Harding, 2021). This wasn’t just an academic exercise but a ritual of deep connection. As I carefully assembled rings representing the four functions of consciousness (Thinking, Intuition, Feeling and Sensing), the four alchemical elements (Air, Fire, Water and Earth), and the four components of the living Earth (Atmosphere, Life, All waters and Rocks), I felt as though I was constructing a bridge between my inner world and the vast, pulsating life of Gaia herself. I learned that understanding Gaia wasn’t just about accumulating facts; it was about accessing a profound, participatory way of knowing. Stephan taught me to see the world not as a collection of separate parts, but as a unified, intelligent whole. I understood that Gaia’s self-regulating processes were not just academic concepts, but living, breathing realities that I could sense and participate in.
For my academic assignment at Schumacher College, I created this Gaiascope, writing over it in Marathi to deepen my connection: Thinking (विचार), Intuition (अंतर्ज्ञान), Feeling (भावना), Sensing (संवेदना), Air (वायु), Fire (अग्नी), Water (जल), Earth (पृथ्वी), Life (जीवन), All waters (जल स्त्रोत), Rocks (खडक), and Atmosphere (वातावरण).
When I shared with Stephan how inspired I was by the Gaiascope and his book, I kindly asked him to sign a copy. He wrote, “For Chaitali, May you be Gaia’d for the world – Stephan.”
Stephan’s message in my copy of Gaia Alchemy.
Stephan had a gift that showed us how science and alchemy, far from being separate disciplines, were intimately intertwined. The way in which Stephan taught was always with a sweet yet authentic sense of awe and joy for the world, often entwining poetry and humour to touch the hearts of many. Through this unique approach, I experienced a perspective shift that was nothing short of alchemical itself. It ultimately transformed the way I perceive life on Earth; transmuting my perception of the world from dead matter to living spirit.
Gaian Science
Stephan showed us that when we engage deeply enough, we develop the capacity to practice Gaian science; a participatory, holistic understanding that goes beyond detached observation. This exploration of the boundary between detached and participatory holistic science was a recurring theme in Stephan’s teachings. I wanted to explore this in the context of design and soon found myself investigating the approach in many different forms, building upon my previous architectural design background.
Whilst researching holistic aspects of climate, history, place, geology and so on in its statistical form, I recognised I was looking at things from a third person and mechanistic perspective. However, when applying a participatory holistic approach, I included a further dimension to my studies by adding observations and experiences of place from a first-person perspective. You could say that in this process, I became part of my design work as I developed a deep and lived relationship with it. This added much depth and meaning – not only considering things from a human, life-centric point of view but also bringing awareness and attention to the more than human.
Beyond the Magic of Alchemy
While nearing the end of my MA at Schumacher College, I met Stephan to discuss how nervous and vulnerable I felt at the prospect of going out into the real world. Schumacher was such a protective and open place to explore, and I was concerned about how others would perceive me and my newly cultivated worldview.
Understanding the practical implications of my concerns, Stephan encouraged me to be bold – to have bold ideas and make bold decisions. He highlighted how important the journey and learning at Schumacher was, and how powerful it is for the world. He shared with me what Arnae Ness shared with him; “You are so much more than what you think you are.” I now carry this with me, as a north star as I take things step by step in my newly found magical world of alchemic Gaian consciousness.
Stephan’s Surrender
On the 2nd of September 2024, Dr. Stephan Harding, our deeply loving and deep time walking guide who opened our hearts and minds to the living Earth, surrendered himself to the soil one last time. Stephan’s passing coincides with the news that Schumacher College must also come to an end. I can’t help but think that the synchronicity between Stephan’s passing and Schumacher College’s news is not simply coincidental; it is deeply touching. Both are a reminder that beyond the innate joy of life, death is an inevitable end of a natural cycle that no living being has the ability to escape, despite how magic they may feel. Yet the soul and spirit of Stephan and Schumacher’s teachings feel more alive than ever before. And I have no doubt they will go on living for many moons to come.
Enjoy playing your guitar up there in the stars, Stephan.
Never a dull moment with Stephan. After a deep yet fun-filled conversation outside the Craft Ed building, Schumacher College. (Stephan on the right, Songqaio in middle and myself on the left.)
“The New Age idea of an all-loving Mother Earth must be incorporated into a more alchemical Gaia in which darkness and death, light and life constantly explore, play with, and resolve each other throughout geological time as fundamental opposites out of which arise hosts of new possibilities.” – Stephan Harding. (Harding, 2021 p. 182)
Chaitali Chaudhari, an MA graduate in Ecological Design Thinking from Schumacher College, is dedicated to fostering connections between people and all forms of life through her work in architecture and education. As the co-founder of Land Insight and a designer at foodwize, she creates meaningful experiences that inspire profound connections between individuals and their natural environments. Drawing from her hands-on experience in vernacular eco-architecture and regenerative projects, Chaitali passionately promotes community-driven ecological design practices.
Sarah Hawkins believes the change we need to see must start with how we relate to ourselves, each other and the more than human world. Having recently completed a master’s degree in Ecological Design Thinking at Schumacher College, Sarah is exploring how we bring systems thinking and nature-based ways of being into organisational and cultural design. Sarah also advocates for nature-conscious decision-making with The Nature Governance Agency. Previously, she had a 15-year career leading in the design sector, partnering with global brands on idea generation and communication initiatives.
References:
Harding, S. (2009). Animate Earth: Science, Intuition, and Gaia, 2nd Edition (Second). Green Books.
Harding, S. (2021). Gaia Alchemy: The Reuniting of Science, Psyche, and Soul. Inner Traditions/Bear and Company.