A Deep Bow to the Life and Legacy of Joanna Macy

It feels important to take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary life and profound contributions of Joanna Macy. For so many of us navigating the complexities and challenges of our time – the environmental crises, social injustices, and the pervasive sense of disconnection – Joanna Macy's work has been a guiding light, a source of profound wisdom and unwavering hope not only in my coaching work but in my personal life and vision.

My connection to Joanna's teachings began on an Eco-Dharma retreat about ten years ago where I learned about the book Active Hope and just afterwards I bought it and read it within a day. Her teaching and practical application of Buddhist psychology in a secular western coaching approach was like coming home. It was like discovering a missing piece, a framework for understanding and engaging with the world in a way that honoured both its beauty and its pain. I have dedicated myself to building on the work she did and finding my own creative way of working with it.

What I love most about Joanna Macy is her ability to weave together systems thinking, Buddhist philosophy, coaching and deep ecology into a powerful tapestry of Active Hope. She didn't shy away from the enormity of the challenges we face, but instead, she offered tools and practices to help us move through despair and apathy into a space of engaged action and leadership. The Work That Reconnects, her groundbreaking methodology, has touched countless lives, empowering individual leaders and communities to heal their relationship with themselves, each other, and the Earth.

Her emphasis on the "Great Turning" – the shift from a growth-obsessed, industrial society to a life-sustaining civilisation – resonated deeply with my own yearning for a more just and sustainable world. She showed us that this turning is not a utopian fantasy but an active process, happening all around us in myriad ways, and that each of us has a vital role to play. I have been fortunate to continue to witness people living by these principles and are taking steps to do the same.

Joanna Macy’s voice was one of fierce compassion and unwavering encouragement. She reminded us of our innate interconnectedness, the deep wellspring of resilience within us, and the transformative power of collective action. She encouraged us to feel our pain for the world, not as a burden to be avoided, but as a sign of our deep caring and a source of energy for change.

To delve deeper into the incredible work and legacy of Joanna Macy, I encourage you to explore these resources:

• The Joanna Macy Center: https://www.joannamacy.org/ - This is the official website dedicated to her work, offering a wealth of information, articles, videos, and resources related to the Work That Reconnects.

• The Work That Reconnects Network: https://workthatreconnects.org/ - Connect with practitioners and facilitators around the world and find workshops and events.

• Wikipedia - Joanna Macy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanna_Macy - Provides a comprehensive overview of her life, work, and key publications.

• Parallax Press: https://www.parallax.org/authors/joanna-macy/ - Publisher of many of her influential books. You can find information about her writings here.

• YouTube: Searching for "Joanna Macy" will yield numerous interviews, talks, and recordings of her workshops, offering a direct experience of her wisdom and presence.

• Podcasts: I love We are the great turning podcast series Joanna Macy recorded. https://resources.soundstrue.com/we-are-the-great-turning-podcast/

• Free Active Hope Course: A free online course designed to strengthen your ability to make a difference in the world. https://activehope.training/

  
  

Joanna Macy's physical presence may no longer be with us, but her spirit and her teachings continue to ripple outwards, inspiring and empowering us to be active participants in the healing of our world. Let us honour her life by continuing the vital work she championed, with open hearts and courageous action. Thank you, Joanna, for the profound gift of your life and your work. You will be deeply missed, and your legacy will continue to illuminate our path forward. At this years Wildhaven Retreat we will light a candle and honour you and your work deeply in the grief circle.