Spirituality

An impassioned call to heal the wounds of our planet and ourselves through the tenets of our spiritual traditions, from a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize It is so easy, in our modern world, to feel disconnected from the physical earth. Despite dire warnings and escalating concern over the state of our planet, many people feel out of touch with the natural world. Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai has spent decades working with the Green Belt Movement to help women in rural Kenya plant—and sustain—millions of trees. With their hands in the dirt, these women often find themselves empowered and “at home” in a way they never did before. Maathai wants to impart that feeling to everyone, and believes that the key lies in traditional spiritual love for the environment, self-betterment, gratitude and respect, and a commitment to service. While educated in the Christian tradition, Maathai draws inspiration from many faiths, celebrating the Jewish mandate tikkun olam (“repair the world”) and renewing the Japanese term mottainai (“don’t waste”). Through rededication to these values, she believes, we might finally bring about healing for ourselves and the earth.

Active Hope is a great read for those looking to build resilience in times of crisis. The book combines mythic journeys, modern psychology, spirituality, and holistic science to offer readers a transformational process that inspires them to face the current challenges with creativity and unexpected resilience. The author's approach known as the work that reconnects equips readers with tools and techniques to make an impact in the collective transition towards a life-sustaining society. With its practical and empowering guide, readers will feel motivated to play their role in turning the crisis into an opportunity for change.