Pass it On: Five Stories That Can Change the World

by Joanna Macy

Eco-philosopher and best-selling author Joanna Macy, Ph.D., shares five stories from her more than thirty years of studying and practicing Buddhism and deep ecology. Gathered on her travels to India, Russia, Australia, and Tibet, these stories give testament to Joanna Macy’s belief that either humankind awakens to a new and deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with our planet and all its myriad forms of life or risks loosing it. To bring about such a transformation of consciousness each and every one of us counts. Five Stories that Can Change the World tells of encounters with individuals who share very personal stories of sudden awakening, unexpected awareness, and the co-mingling of joy and pain. Each story is imbued with the specific cultural flavor of the places where the stories originate, but all share that each individual counts in the global need for change and awakening.Pas It On provides an introduction to Joanna Macy’s work of "deep ecology" and "the great turning" and the deep interconnected nature of all beings.Introduction by Norbert Gahbler.

Genres: Spirituality, Psychology, Nonfiction, Memoir

123 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2010

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

[George Ilsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short collection of stories and personal anecdotes collected by Macy and her German co-author. This is not really a book to pick up and read. It has more value as a resource, since the prayers or invocations which are included are quite lengthy, and intended for ceremonial use. There is much of value here, potentially, but the book it not aimed at a casual reader looking for inspirational stories that can change the world. 2.5 stars.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You do what you have to do. You put one stone on another and another on top of that. If the stones are knocked down, you begin again, because if you don't, nothing will get built. You persist." This is a great little book to read when the state of the world gets you down. These five stories succeed in renewing faith in the indomitable spirit of humanity. They touched my heart and eased my troubled mind.

[Jeffrey Ning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful little book that made for people who want to change the world and who has no spirituality base.

Five guidelines enable you as activist to change the world encapsulated in the forms of gratitude, courage, visionary, solidarity, and stake.

The Mohawk Thanksgiving Prayer will make you think deeper and knock senses into your existence on this world.

Pass it on!!!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is reassuring that there is activism for the rebuilding of the destruction of our planet. Joanna Macy shares her experiences of lessons she has learned and experienced as an activist for peace, justice, and ecology.

[Lisa November · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dated and some of the stories inspire more than others, but definitely a good resource to have!

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long-admired Joanna Macy, a Buddhist scholar and deep ecologist. In this small book she shares stories of her visits with groups of people around the world concerned about the lack of available safe drinking water and power, about polluted rivers and soil, about the loss of animal and plant species. She encourages them in groups to share their grief as well as ways they might add to the planet's health. The story about her visit to Chernobyl in Russia moved me to tears. This is a powerful book!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of these stories were familiar to me from reading a number of Macy's books, but it is helpful to have them in one place. I loved the Five Guidelines for Activists that the stories inspired:
1. Come from Gratitude
2. Don't be Afraid of the Dark
3. Dare to Envision (one stone on top of another)
4. Rediscover our Solidarity
5. Act Your (True) Age

[Aline Assuf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple yet so precious

Beautiful short stories from the amazing life of ecophilosopher Joanna Macy. Simple and elegant, deep and insightful, her words hold many years of wisdom and yet a lightness that is almost magic.

[Alison Zak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspiration. Everyone read this book right now!

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book to help us connect with ourselves and mother-earth. A book to reread several times before passing it on.