Book on deep ecology

The Ages of Gaia – A Biography of Our Living Earth by James Lovelock

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

“The Ages of Gaia – A Biography of Our Living Earth” – by James Lovelock 1989, Oxford University Press.

In this excellent volume James Lovelock returns to Gaia theory to lead us on an accessible explanation of the timeline of the evolution of life on Earth. Introducing his early thought experiments with “Daisyworld” he proceeds to explain how relatively simple characteristics of living systems, including feedback loops, form the basis for the self-regulating, ecopoetic system which is the living Earth. From the back cover: “In his first book, /Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth/, James Lovelock proposed a startling new theory of life. Existing theories held that plants and animals evolve on, but are distinct from, an inanimate planet. James Lovelock’s theory, Gaia, showed that Earth, its rocks, oceans, and atmosphere, and all living things are part of one great organism, evolving over the vast span of geological time. Much scientific work has since confirmed Lovelock’s theory. IN this new book, Lovelock elaborates the basis of a new and unified view of the earth and life sciences, discussing recent scientific developments in detail: the greenhouse effect, acid rain, the depletion of the ozone layer and the effects of ultraviolet radiation, the emission of CFCs, and nuclear power. He demonstrates the geophysical interaction of atmosphere, oceans, climate, and the Earth’s crust, regulated comfortably for life by living organisms using the energy of the sun. But Gaia is not always the benign life-force many people have taken her to be: /Gaia theory forces a planetary perspective. It is the health of the planet that matters, not that of some individual species of organisms. This is where Gaia and the environmental movements, which are concerned first with the health of people, part company./ This hypothesis not only raises profound philosophical questions: it also challenges both conservationists and the scientific establishment to think again.”

Book: “Zen and The Art of Saving The Planet” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

A recent posthumous release from the not-for profit publisher Parralax Press: “Zen and The Art of Saving The Planet“. This book is a gem, filled with Thich Nhat Hanh’s beautiful meditations, inspiring stories and experiences from his own life of activism and engagement. It is compiled from talks and teachings given by Thich Nhat Hanh during his life, framed around a reimagining of the “five mindfulness training” of the Plum Village tradition. It includes commentary from Sister True Dedication, one of his senior western students. “Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet” guides us to a new way of seeing the world, illuminating a path and way of being healing and harmony with ourselves, other beings, and to the Earth.

Book: “The Sea Around Us” by Rachel Carson

Sun, 22 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The Sea Around Us is a prize-winning and best-selling book by the American marine biologist Rachel Carson, first published as a whole by Oxford University Press in 1951. It reveals the science and poetry of the sea while ranging from its primeval beginnings to the latest scientific probings. Often described as “poetic,” it was Carson’s second published book and the one that launched her into the public eye and a second career as a writer and conservationist; in retrospect it is counted the second book of her so-called sea trilogy.

Book: “World As Lover, World as Self”, by Joanna Macy

Sat, 21 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

“An enduring classic of the environmental movement, Joanna Macy’s poetic, groundbreaking call to action is poised to inspire a new generation“

https://www.parallax.org/product/world-as-lover-world-as-self-a-guide-to-living-fully-in-turbulent-times/#product-content

Parallax press has released a 30th anniversary edition of Joanna Macy’s important book, outlining her approach to practices for engaging with the global ecological situation.

It’s official: humanity is in crisis. Facing the magnitude of our global situation as individuals leaves us feeling powerless and despairing. When we need wisdom and solace, there is no better than Joanna Macy, one of the grandmothers of modern environmentalism, whose life’s work has been to hear and heal our pain for the planet. World as Lover, World as Self draws on a lifetime of deep awareness that re-focuses us on the natural world, where readers can find the spiritual nourishment to envision a future built on a sustainable relationship with the earth. Rooted in the Buddha’s teachings of paticca samuppada or “interdependent co-arising,” Macy’s reflections were radically relevant for activists who wanted to address the underlying mindset of fear, greed, and selfishness that give rise to overconsumption and the ultimate destruction of our world. Drawing comparisons to Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, this definitive 30th Anniversary edition gives a new generation of readers the real reasons we cry out, and the depth to make a difference.

Book: “Active Hope: how to face the mess we’re in without going crazy” by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone

Sat, 30 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The challenges we face can be difficult to even think about. Climate change, pandemic uncertainty, extreme inequality, economic upheaval, and mass extinction together create a planetary emergency of overwhelming proportions. Active Hope shows us how to strengthen our capacity to face this crisis so that we can respond with unexpected resilience and creative power. Drawing on decades of teaching an empowerment approach know as the Work that Reconnects, the authors guide us through a transformational process informed by mythic journeys, modern psychology, spirituality, and holistic science. This process equips us with tools to face the mess we’re in and play our role in the collective transition, or Great Turning, to a life-sustaining society.

Book: Thinking Like a Mountain-HTML version

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

This post holds an HTML version of the text of the book “Thinking Like A Mountain – Towards a Council of All Beings”. Published in 1988, this seminal text by John Seed, Joanna Macy, Arne Naess and Pat Fleming outlines their collective vision for a “Council of All Beings” group process. These workshops, aimed at healing humanities’ illusion of separation from the natural world, were a response to the multifaceted challenges which face us to day in the form of intersecting ecological and social crises. Later developments gave rise to what are now referred to as “Deep Ecology” Workshops, and the “Work that Reconnects”.

Book: Thinking Like a Mountain - PDF

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Below you will find an embedded PDF version of the seminal book by John Seed, Joanna Macy, Pat Fleming and Arne Naess which gave rise to the “Council of All Beings” group work, later referred to as “Deep Ecology” workshops.

Embedded PDF: