A Wild Love for the World: Joanna Macy and the Work of Our Time

by Joanna Macy, Stephanie Kaza (Editor)

Joanna Macy is a scholar of Buddhism, systems thinking, and deep ecology whose decades of writing, teaching, and activism have inspired people around the world. In this collection of writings, leading spiritual teachers, deep ecologists, and diverse writers and activists explore the major facets of Macy’s lifework. Combined with eleven pieces from Macy herself, the result is a rich chorus of wisdom and compassion to support the work of our time.

“Being fully present to fear, to gratitude, to all that is—this is the practice of mutual belonging. As living members of the living body of Earth, we are grounded in that kind of belonging. Even when faced with cataclysmic changes, nothing can ever separate us from Earth. We are already home.”— Joanna Macy

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Spirituality, Religion, Buddhism, Philosophy, Psychology

416 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2020

About the author

Dr. Joanna Rogers Macy (1929-2025), activist, ecologist and author, was one of the pioneers of engaged Buddhism. Her online work includes the article "World as Lover, World as Self"; "Bestiary" (an ode to wildlife); Nuclear Guardianship, her testimony at the World Uranium Hearings in Salzburg, 1992; and The Vegan Vision, on the ethics of a vegan diet. Her other books include Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory: The Dharma of Natural Systems, World as Lover, World as Self and Rilke's Book of Hours.

Reviews

[David Abram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book will be a talisman for many, a seed bundle, a way through the calamity...

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of this. I wish there was more in it written by Joanna since she's brilliant. Some of the other essays are good but are out-shined by the writings of the subject of the book. Worthwhile, nonetheless.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

[Artemisia Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Climate and anti-nuclear activist Joanna Macy is now in her nineties and this book is a wonderful tribute to her in the form of essays written by people who have joined with her over her decades of fearless and ceaseless work on these causes. One essayist describes her work as “moving from angst to activism” as she has taken her concern and “wild love” for our world and truly turned those into a calling. Essay after essay testifies to the strength of her commitment to what she has called the “work that reconnects”. Story after story of the ground she has covered, the places she has taken her work to, the many rituals and workshops she has facilitated and the ways she has inspired literally thousands to carry on her legacy, tell us of a unique visionary who has shown us how to take our grief for our planet and turn it into something positive, enlivening and meaningful. If you weren’t familiar with this brilliant, dedicated woman before, this book is also a wonderful introduction to her beautiful philosophy and the amazing work she has done.

[Christine Field · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an overview of the life and work of Joanna Macy, an amazing woman, through a collection of essays, a few by her, but mostly written by various other amazing people whose lives and work have been inspired by hers. I would have appreciated it more if I'd read some of her books first, which I will do now.

[Beth]

more please...

[Eshaneh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a collection of beautifully written tributes and insights from the larger “Work That Reconnects” community. I didn’t want it to end.

[Ebb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about finding inner peace and our essential roll of creating a peaceful world through the examples and lives of others.

[Dominique Nicole Marsalek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rest in power dear teacher.

[Lori Shinkō Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had thought this book was written by Macy, but instead its a book about Macy written by people who know her and her work deeply. Its a tribute to the beautiful person and life works. Great, just-not what i was expecting.