April 18, 2020

Rediscovering Our Deep Belonging with the Earth

As we witness the global pandemic and economic collapse, it has never been more apparent that our world is changing. As many have noted, the current public health crisis is not entirely separate from the climate crisis—rather, both are part of a larger tapestry of global change.

Joanna Macy, the 90-year-old environmental activist, author, and inspiring teacher of Buddhism and deep ecology, describes this moment in human history as The Great Turning, a revolutionary shift from an industrial growth society to a life-sustaining culture.

The present failure of our systems and destruction of the natural world easily generates a sense of fear, grief, and despair. But Macy insists there is still much we can do. We can meet this moment with gratitude and a sense of adventure, a love for our imperfect world, and a commitment to transform our despair into creative action.

In a powerful and encouraging conversation with Tricycle’s Editor and Publisher, James Shaheen, for the Tricycle Talks podcast, Macy shares her perspective on the present time of unraveling and transformation—and the opportunity we’re being given to rediscover our deep belonging with the Earth.