Joanna Macy, PhD

Joanna Macy, PhD, scholar of Buddhism and Living Systems Theory, is known worldwide for her workshops for environmental and political activists. Known as “The Work that Reconnects,” her theory and methods function at the interface between social change and spiritual breakthrough. Her books include Pass It On; Coming Back to Life; World as Lover, World as Self; Widening Circles: A Memoir; and translations of Rilke’s poetry.

Presentations by Joanna Macy

Thursday Pre-Conference Institute:

T3 Deep Time Work: Re-entering the Rhythms and Connections of the Web of Life

Must we be condemned to constant time pressures and hurrying? The acceleration of our lives is real, but not inevitable. It arises from the technological and economic forces of the industrial growth society and cuts us off from nature’s rhythms and the wisdom and pleasures of our own bodies. Healing our world depends on living our lives within a larger context that includes our ancestors and generations to come. This workshop will explore ways to stoke our courage, our staying power, and our sense of adventure.

Friday Morning Plenary:

The Time of Our Lives: Opening to the Gifts of both Past and Future

“Then the knowing comes: I can open to another life that is wide and timeless.”
– R.M. Rilke

We can live our lives within a larger time frame than the short-term views driven by forces of technology and growth economics. Macy will share how embracing strongly felt relations with past and coming generations will call forth creativity, courage, and staying power for bringing into form a life-sustaining society.