After reading numerous books about environmental issues and the climate crisis, I was drawn to Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in without Going Crazy, by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone. When the harm starts to happen, we could see this as a wake-up call to action, and respond rapidly,” says the medical doctor from his home in Scotland. Ecophilosopher Joanna Macy, PhD, is a scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology. A respected voice in the movements for peace, justice, and ecology, she interweaves her scholarship with five decades of activism. As the root teacher of the Work That Reconnects, she has created a groundbreaking theoretical framework for personal and social change, as well as a powerful workshop methodology for its application. Emotional distress can be motivating, but if it goes beyond what we imagine we can cope with, we may just shut down. On the outside, we seem to be holding it together, but internally, our energy sags and our sensitivity is dulled. Failure to maintain our energy/enthusiasm leads to burnout or even permanent withdrawal. Activist burnout is a very real phenomenon and I'm sure a lot of people have felt such fatigue with all that's happening in the world right now! We’ve been able to make this course free of charge thanks to some initial funding from The Emergence Foundation, and also the generosity of the many visiting contributors I interviewed via zoom. We’re working with a ‘pay it forward’ model, where participants receive the course as a gift, and if they’d like to help it remain free for future participants, they’re encouraged to donate to cover future costs.

http://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/festival/play/7350/call-of-life--facing-the-mass-extinction A Wild Love for the World” Joanna Macy with Stephanie Kaza. On Grief, Gratitude, and Belonging - Barre Center for Buddhist Studies - May 22, 2021How should we respond to the possibility that humanity faces imminent collapse due to the climate and ecological crisis? Joanna Macy provides a framing to collapse to help avoid either denial or acceptance. To help us live with the uncertainty we face and contribute to a better world. I would encourage people not to give up on their longer-term dreams because we will get there… but, maybe don’t put specific dates on it.” Dr Tim Sharp, chief happiness officer at the Happiness Institute

Where did you find the strength to continue working so hard, despite all the obstacles and discouragements? Unhappily, the extensive moralizing within the ecological movement has given the public a false impression that they are being asked to make a sacrifice — to show more responsibility, more concern and a nicer moral standard. But all of that would flow naturally and easily if the self were widened and deepened so that protection of nature was felt and perceived as protection of our very selves." Finally, we need to see the role we play in this process. Looking at the different areas of our lives, what are we doing that helps build the future we hope for? There will be many things, and some might stand out - what are they? After all, what is the point of making an effort to improve things if we believe catastrophe is inevitable?Sponsorship: Contribute any amount to help make spots in the program available to those who need scholarships. Second we identify what we hope for in terms of the direction we’d like things to move in or the values we’d like to see expressed.

Several generations of children have had daydreaming bred out of them. Our literacy is confined to numbers and words. There is no image literacy.”Chris will draw on health psychology, systems thinking and an empowerment approach known as the ‘work that reconnects’. He will share how Active Hopecan help you discover a more ‘sustainable happiness’ to feel happier today and support your hopes for the future. The resources section at the end of the book has been updated, with links to a free video-based online course in Active Hope at https://www.activehope.training , and other resources that can support the activation of hope in and through our lives. Because we can never know for sure how the future will turn out, it makes more sense to focus on what we’d like to have happen, and then to do our bit to make it more likely.

Many of the teachings from Active Hope are about our deepening our relationships with ourselves, others and our world. In the weeks between each group meeting, you’ll receive a prompt for a home-practice activity to embody those teachings in your own life. The energising power of an inspiring vision that moves through and strengthens us when we act for a purpose bigger than ourselves. The process of thinking happens at a level higher than just individual brain cells - it happens through them. Good coaching has to be ethical in a sensitive, connected way that enables insightful communication and clarity of curiosity that has a truth and braveness to it. This too is the approach that will bring a truly determined energy to change our business as usual world of human pretence at life into being real life. This workshop has that energy.” Most of all, the book invites people to engage in a strengthening and transformative journey designed to nourish and build our capacity and commitment to play our part in the Great Turning. Each chapter has been revised to better support this journey from the context we face now.Based in Berkeley, California, close to her children and grandchildren, Joanna has spent many years in other lands and cultures, viewing movements for social change and exploring their roots in religious thought and practice.