Joanna Macy
“Let our hearts be a mirror to the world.” ~Joanna Macy
A sage of the heart, a vital warrior, a lover of life on this Earth realm, a summons to our humanity, a spiritual luminary, an Earth guardian - a tremendous loss.
My heart aches with the passing of Joanna Macy, a loving powerhouse of hope and activism. Joanna, born a New Yorker in 1929, was an activist for the Earth, for peace, for justice. She was a prolific author - releasing wisdom into the hands of readers and students across the world. She was a Buddhist scholar, a poet, a speaker, educator, humanitarian and to me, along with thousands of others - an exceptional inspiration, a force of and for nature and a truth teller.
“We are all interconnected, and this interconnectedness is the key to our healing.” ~JM
A human who fully understood, embraced, lived and shared the intrinsic connection of nature, our humanness and spirit. She gave voice to our interconnectedness as a species, to nature, to oneness - to the mysticism of life.
“Even in the darkest moments of despair, hope and change are possible. A celebration of possibility, community, and imagination.” ~JM
From Wellesley College to earning her doctorate from Syracuse University - her studies and life work was beyond impressive. She was a pioneer, a leader, a visionary, a guide merging our inner and outer worlds. Joanna inspired countless people as an instigator and advocate for: social change, contemporary science, sustainability, deep ecology and active spirituality - excavating and speaking to the complexities of emotions during humanity’s uncertain predicaments.
“Speaking the truth of our anguish for the world brings down the walls between us, drawing us into deep solidarity. That solidarity is all the more real for the uncertainty we face.” ~JM
Known for her ‘Wild Love for the World,’ her life’s work was dedicated to the: Work That Reconnects - leading the journey from despair to connection, to empowerment, to action. Joanna’s mission was fueled with fearlessness and her perseverance decade after decade after decade, fueled by love and passion. All oozed from her stories, workshops, books and lectures.
“It is good to realize that falling apart is not such a bad thing. Indeed, it is as essential to transformation as the cracking of outgrown shells. “ ~JM
Joanna Macy was a heart centered, brilliant, playful, intelligent, loving, strong, committed, wise, courageous change maker. Her body of work is a gift to all of us. It is deep, powerful and it is our counsel.
Her message, within me - a lighthouse for my heart. Bless this human of fortitude and wisdom. So grateful for her spirit, her teachings and her honesty. May her legacy continue to echo and may we act upon it, today, tomorrow and the next. With an aching and imprinted heart, Kristi Lee
“…the greening of the self. It involves a combining of the mystical with the pragmatic, transcending separateness, alienation and fragmentation… it calls for a spiritual change - generating a sense of profound interconnectedness with all life.” ~JM
Just a few of Joanna’s Books to dive into for your heart, for humanity, for the planet:
Active Hope: How to Face the Mess Were in with Unexpected Resilience and Creative Power
Coming Back to Life the Updated Guide to the Work That Reconnects
World As Lover World As Self Courage for Global Justice and Planetary Renewal
“Active Hope is not wishful thinking. Active Hope is waking up to the beauty of life on whose behalf we can act.” ~JM
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