Spiritual ecology : a quiet revolution
Secular approaches to the environmental crisis have certainly made substantial inroads since the first Earth Day in 1970. Yet, the crisis not only persists, but is getting worse. Happily, there is an additional approach developing -- spiritual ecology. Drawing on the wisdom of centuries and a wealth of different traditions, spiritual ecology can generate the profound transformations that are required if ecosanity is to be restored. "Spiritual Ecology: A Quiet Revolution" offers an intellectual history of this far-reaching movement. Arranged chronologically, it samples major developments in the thoughts and actions of both historic and contemporary pioneers, ranging from the Buddha and St. Francis of Assisi to Wangari Maathai's Green Belt Movement and James Cameron's 2010 epic film "Avatar". This foundational book is unique in that it provides a historical, cross-cultural context for understanding and advancing the ongoing spiritual ecology revolution, considered indigenous and Asian religious traditions as well as Western ones. Most chapters focus on a single pioneer, illuminating historical context and that individual's legacy, while also connecting their impact to broader concerns. Coverage includes topics as diverse as Henry David Thoreau and the Green Patriarch Bartholomew's decades-long promotion of environmentalism as a sacred duty for more than 250 million members of the Orthodox Church worldwide. -- From publisher's description
xxii, 284 pages ; 25 cm
9780313364099, 9780313364105, 0313364095, 0313364109
759916019
What's in a tree?
ROOTS
Enchanted nature, animism
The original spiritual ecologists, indigenous peoples
Ecologically noble or ignoble?
Natural wisdom and action, the Buddha
Medieval radical, Saint Francis of Assisi
TRUNK
The spirit of Walden, Henry David Thoreau
Wilderness disciple, John Muir
Spiritual science, Rudolf Steiner
BRANCHES
Nature as Thou, Martin Buber
Challenging Christians, Lynn White, Jr
Supernovas
LEAVES
Can a poet save nature? W.S. Merwin
Reconnecting, Joanna Macy
Green patriarch, Bartholomew I
FLOWERS, SEEDS, AND FRUITS
To plant a tree, Wangari Maathai
Desert spirituality, Burning Man
Avatar, opening Pandora's box, James Cameron
HAZARDS
Atheist spiritual ecology, Donald A. Crosby
Natural theology, Alister E. McGrath
Secularization of the sacred, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet