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Finding Earth, Finding Soul
Finding Earth, Finding Soul is the story of one manis search for meaning and purpose in a society that is captivated by values and beliefs that are assaulting the Earthis lifesystems and collapsing society in upon itself. Tim Macartney intertwines several themes n the quest for meaning and purpose, organisation leadership, nature, conformity, and the role of ordinary women and men in seeking and securing a future that will serve our children well. Finding Earth, Finding Soul vividly asserts the power of imagination, the joy of walking our own way, and the profound intimacy of finding relationship with others, and with life. It demonstrates how pain, loneliness, and some measure of suffering can become doorways to courageous acts that have the potential to illuminate our lives. It tells how Tim Macartney, starting as a gardener in a management training centre, went on to become Head of Consultancy there within three years, and then started a epeople and organisation developmenti company, working with the chairmen of multinationals. His inspirational approach to leadership development resulted in him being given a 50-acre Devonshire smallholding by an appreciative client to develop his vision
- GenresNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2007
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 25, 2023
Re-reading from a couple of years ago.
I remember enjoying it much more the first time around. This time I was finding parts of the book a bit too vague and woolly - we skip around in time and place, and clearly there are areas where Mac doesn't want to go into too much detail as regards his dealings with others, which left me confused as to what had happened.
There's a lot in here about our relationship to the Earth, the spiritual dimension of that, much native-American-inspired philosophy and Mac's desire to apply this to businesses and their leaders. It raises questions about whether we can look to businesses to help solve the climate crisis, or whether they (corporations in particular) are always going to be an obstacle.
This time around though, I was struck by how much of Mac's success and experience was down to his connections and having been part of the boarding school alumni tier. He clearly loves the business environment and closing a deal, an area which leaves me cold. There's a level of privilege with that which I think can block empathy towards people who are unable to follow the same path in life - a kind of this worked for me so it will work for you too, you just need to do as I say insistence. The whole risk-taking, life is nothing without risk attitude. That may have proved true for him, but it's not true for everyone, particularly anyone recovering from trauma, abuse, health conditions etc. I bought the book after seeing him give a talk a few years ago, and he's a very inspirational speaker... however I'm also aware of some of the issues that have happened behind the scenes and the scars that have been left.
I remember enjoying it much more the first time around. This time I was finding parts of the book a bit too vague and woolly - we skip around in time and place, and clearly there are areas where Mac doesn't want to go into too much detail as regards his dealings with others, which left me confused as to what had happened.
There's a lot in here about our relationship to the Earth, the spiritual dimension of that, much native-American-inspired philosophy and Mac's desire to apply this to businesses and their leaders. It raises questions about whether we can look to businesses to help solve the climate crisis, or whether they (corporations in particular) are always going to be an obstacle.
This time around though, I was struck by how much of Mac's success and experience was down to his connections and having been part of the boarding school alumni tier. He clearly loves the business environment and closing a deal, an area which leaves me cold. There's a level of privilege with that which I think can block empathy towards people who are unable to follow the same path in life - a kind of this worked for me so it will work for you too, you just need to do as I say insistence. The whole risk-taking, life is nothing without risk attitude. That may have proved true for him, but it's not true for everyone, particularly anyone recovering from trauma, abuse, health conditions etc. I bought the book after seeing him give a talk a few years ago, and he's a very inspirational speaker... however I'm also aware of some of the issues that have happened behind the scenes and the scars that have been left.
January 3, 2015
I have to be honest: it wasn't an easy read for 2 reasons:
1. This book is written in a quite "old fashioned way", which means that some descriptions required more effort for me to read through.
2. This book is so full of amazing thoughts, ideas and stories that spark my imagination, that pushed my thinking to go deeper. I have found an unexpected amount of fabulous insights in this book and I recommend it to anyone who's follow the journey of their invisible path. I met Tim Macartney (aka "Mac") twice. Once in London a few years ago on the boat he describes in the book... and before that I met him in Embercombe, the sustainable garden for leaders that he's created. Mac has gone from gardener in a management training centre to become Head of Consultancy within 3 years. Years later he was offered the gift of a 50 acre piece of land to grow sustainable leaders.
This is a book worth reading to anyone following their own invisible path.
(NOTE: I technically finished it on 2 Jan 2015 but it makes more sense to be counted for 2014)
1. This book is written in a quite "old fashioned way", which means that some descriptions required more effort for me to read through.
2. This book is so full of amazing thoughts, ideas and stories that spark my imagination, that pushed my thinking to go deeper. I have found an unexpected amount of fabulous insights in this book and I recommend it to anyone who's follow the journey of their invisible path. I met Tim Macartney (aka "Mac") twice. Once in London a few years ago on the boat he describes in the book... and before that I met him in Embercombe, the sustainable garden for leaders that he's created. Mac has gone from gardener in a management training centre to become Head of Consultancy within 3 years. Years later he was offered the gift of a 50 acre piece of land to grow sustainable leaders.
This is a book worth reading to anyone following their own invisible path.
(NOTE: I technically finished it on 2 Jan 2015 but it makes more sense to be counted for 2014)
December 30, 2024
I’m so pleased I finally read this book! Having met Mac at Embercombe in 2021, I wanted to learn more of his teachings and philosophy.
This book takes you on a journey through various stages of Mac’s life, interweaving experiences together to create something challenging and yet also uplifting.
Switching between different timelines and places, at times I felt it difficult to keep up with where Mac was going, but in all I finished this book inspired, reignited and hopeful for a better future.
This book takes you on a journey through various stages of Mac’s life, interweaving experiences together to create something challenging and yet also uplifting.
Switching between different timelines and places, at times I felt it difficult to keep up with where Mac was going, but in all I finished this book inspired, reignited and hopeful for a better future.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews