“Grace happens when we act with others on behalf of our world.” – Joanna Macy
Please join us for a much anticipated conversation with Dr. Joanna Macy. Widely recognized as a scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology, Macy is less well-known as a proponent of animal issues and veganism. On this program, we’ll explore some of the philosophical ideas and practical insights offered through this beloved mentor’s engaged teachings, including their relevance to animals.
A vocal critic of industrial growth society, Macy will describe her understanding of the Great Turning, “the essential adventure of our time: the shift from the Industrial Growth Society to a life-sustaining civilization.” For those who despair in the face of so many environmental and social crises, she encourages, “don’t be afraid of the anguish you feel, or the anger or fear, for these responses arise from the depth of your caring and the truth of your interconnectedness with all beings. To suffer with is the literal meaning of compassion”. Through decades of activism within the ecology, justice, and peace movements, Macy’s interdisciplinary “work that reconnects” remains deeply grounded, and infused with profound gratitude.
Joanna Macy is the author of numerous books, such as Despair and Personal Power in the Nuclear Age (1983); Dharma and Development (1985); Thinking Like a Mountain (with John Seed, Pat Fleming, and Arne Naess; 1988); Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory (1991); World as Lover, World as Self (1991); Rilke’s Book of Hours (1996, 2005); In Praise of Mortality (2004) (with Anita Barrows); Coming Back to Life: Practices to Reconnect Our Lives, Our World (with Molly Young Brown, New Society Publishers, 1998), and a memoir Widening Circles (2000).
Listen right now:
Animal Voices 