One City: A Declaration of Interdependence

by Ethan Nichtern

What you wear. What you say. What you think/ignore/buy/don't buy... Welcome to One Everyone-where EVERYTHING you do matters. You've lived here your whole life, whether you know it or not.

Ethan Nichtern, the charismatic and creative force behind New York's upstart Interdependence Project is your guide to the beauty that is everywhere in the urban jungle-in the rattling of subway trains, the screechings of traffic, the hum and drone of millions scurrying for work, food, sustenance, art, culture, and meaning. There may be no greater setting for exploring the great truth that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Whatever effects one directly, effects all indirectly."

One City melds Dr. King's message with modern Buddhist wisdom to offer a new way of understanding what binds us all together-no matter where we are, no matter who. With its pop-culture savvy, humor, and literary liveliness, One City will speak to--and even, it's fair to say, help define--the spiritually-inclined, conscious Next Generation.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Spirituality, Meditation

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 26, 2007

About the author

Ethan Nichtern is a senior Buddhist teacher. He is the author of The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path (FSG Books, North Point, 2015) and One City: A Declaration of Interdependence (Wisdom Publications, 2007). He is also the founder and former director of The Interdependence Project, an organization dedicated to Buddhist-inspired meditation and psychology, transformational activism, mindful arts, and meaningful media. He teaches and lectures around the world and is based in New York City.

Reviews

[Gemma Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this excellent book about Buddhism, meditation and interdependence. The author writes about socially engaged Buddhism in a lively, accessible but heartfelt way and has lots of great insights about contemporary culture. The chapter on consumerism,generosity and hungry ghosts especially gave me a new perspective on things. His argument that generosity is not so much about what we give as about how we take might sound quite simple, but it really was an idea I hadn't quite worked out myself! This book will certainly stay with me and impact on my life and practice. Recommended to everyone!

[Rob Hermanowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan Nichtern's "The Road Home" was one of the best introductions to Mindfulness and Buddhist-inspired psychology that I've read. This earlier, shorter book focuses on the interconnectedness of everyone with, literally, everything else. Nichtern is an excellent writer and inspired teacher. I look forward to continuing to explore his work.

[Obeida Takriti · Rating 3 out of 5]

بعض الأفكار متكررة،
إلا أن الكتاب مدخل جيد عن العلاقة بين الروحانية والعالم حولنا..

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but could have been shorter

The concept of interdependence is meaningful and one that few really sit back and ponder. The chapter on livelihood was strong. In the end, the information here could have been expressed in an article or blog post. Perhaps I’ve read too many perspectives on Buddhism. I picked this up to inspire my practice, but maybe my boredom is more a function of needing more practice and is not a true reflection on the value of this book. Who knows?

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was pretty good stuff. It all makes sense, and what Nichtern has to say about interdependence and our mutual reliance on each other, the planet and every living thing on it is well-thought-out and persuasive. Okay, so sometimes I kind of thought the guy sounded like a youth pastor, but it's all good. His positive outlook and way of thinking about things is something that everyone could use a little bit of. My favorite chapter was Chapter 8, "Gotta Get Paid." I liked how he went over the qualms that ethical people can feel sometimes when doing their job, but how everyone, no matter what their job is, can work to make the world a better place through their influence.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for an introduction into Buddhist ideas and thought. The author is only about 30 or so, so the book relates really well to where I am at. I don't think I would recommend it to anyone over 40. I didn't like every example he used because I thought some of them were a bit too contemporary like too much talk of ipods and the such. But these examples did help me to understand some of the concepts. If your 20-35 and interested in some idea of Buddhism and interdependency I highly recommend this book. If you live in a city, I'd recommend it even more. Its also a very quick read.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Ethan Nichtern explains in plain English how everything is connected, why it matters, why we naturally tend to have a sense of dissatisfaction or suffering, and what you can do about it. Ethan does an amazing job of relating ancient teachings on compassion and self-discipline to an iPod toting world. This book helped me clarify why I wanted to develop a meditation practice. Highly recommended for anyone who is seeking to at least take a toe or two off the Capitalist/Consumerist treadmill.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book leaving me with so much to think about. Will definitely read it again. This book elaborates on the Buddhist stance that, while we are all completely responsible for our own experience, we are also interconnected to a degree where everything we do, every choice we make has an impact on our local and overall world/planet. Your choices and who you are being at any given moment matters. Deep stuff. Really fascinating and so resonant for me. Rec!

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big fan of this book. I found it by accident while browsing in a book store and bought it on the spot. I found out the author Ethan was also part of Shambhala and sent him endless emails to get him to come speak at the Phoenix Shambhala Center. Eventually he responded and agreed and it was a great visit.....

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a similar goal to Lodro Rinzler's Buddha book--an introduction to Buddhist philosophy for a younger generation--and Nichtern's managed to do the job much better (and without cheesy comparisons of the 4 dignities to the Super Friends). I enjoyed Nichtern's writing on interdependence and approaching one's livelihood from a point of social justice and activism.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite possibly the best book on Buddhism I've read! Nichtern delights in connecting the timeless wisdom of Buddhism into a modern day and it shows on every page of this book. Each word counts and every moment matters in reading this book and the sheer excitement in his words makes this a wonderful read.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly, highly recommend. Ethan Nichtern talks about interdependence, and meditation as a practice that supports interdependence, in a way that is down-to-earth, totally relevant, and truly exciting. A must-read. I am excited to start exploring a meditation practice.

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

the miracle of mindfulness, applied to the world we live in. how we are all interdependent, though we think we are so separate, and how this is not such bad news, if we give ourselves time and space enough to practice mindfulness and compassion.

[Durren & Jonna Anderson]

My Buddhist book club is reading this one. I'm in 3 different book clubs, which doesn't leave me much time to read what I just want to read! I've barely started this one, so I'll have to come back with a more thorough review.

[VEEP · Rating 3 out of 5]

this reminded me of why i do what i do...no matter how hard it is sometimes. this is influenced by buddhism, but this book is more or less about mindfulness and developing communities that are mutually-supportive.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

i fully enjoyed the writing in this book. ethan's literary voice is down to earth and also very clear and smart. this book bridges the gap between the theory of buddhism and the practice of it in everyday life situations in the modern world.

[Don Grabowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated how this book associated mindfulness with the everyday life experience many of us have. It did not idealize some unattainable fantasy version of an enlightened life. It spoke to me in a context I could absolutely relate to and understand. Thank you Ethan!

[Lawrence Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final two sentences of the book refer to the practice of meditation; they are: "You might not think it's doing much of anything for you, until someone you knows well says to you. "You know you are much less of an asshole than used to be."
Love that.

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is small but potent. It will change your life.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being present at couple of IDP meditations/discussions and already benefiting from my attendance I picked up the founder's book. So far so good.

IDP = http://www.theidproject.com

[Mitch]

Interesting updating of Buddhist thought for modern America...not sure what the final review is yet...

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Buddhist books I've ever read!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan writes with a keen sense of compassion and has the ability to take the teaching of Buddhism make it relevant for contemporary society.

[Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A modern look at ancient Buddhist principles. Easy and entertaining to read!

[Darrell Grizzle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly inspiring book about how we are all interrelated, interdependent on each other. Combines the wisdom of Buddhist thought with the nonviolent activism of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're all connect blah blah blah

[Julian Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to give this to everyone.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man do I love this book. Read it early and often.