An Eco-philosopher, Joanna Macy, Ph.D is a scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology. She is also a leading voice in movements for peace, justice, and a safe environment. Her wide-ranging work addresses psychological and spiritual issues of the nuclear age, the cultivation of ecological awareness, and the fruitful resonance between Buddhist thought and contemporary science. Her work helps people transform despair and apathy in the face of overwhelming social and ecological crises into constructive, collaborative action. She has lived with the Sarvodaya community in Sri Lanka during which she wrote a beautiful book about Dharma and Development. Her work has long been an influence on Velcrow.

She serves as adjunct professor to three graduate schools in the San Francisco Bay Area: the Starr King School for the Ministry, the University of Creation Spirituality, and the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Joanna has long been a hero of mine. Along with my friend John Seed she is the grandmother of the Deep Ecology movement that, for many people, has transformed our idea of environmentalism - taking it beyond the intellectual realm to the spiritual. She comes from a science background of systems theory which keeps her spiritual work always grounded in the rational. For decades she has taught transformative workshops that offer an experiential pathway to connecting with the planet, the universe, and ourselves.

When I first asked her if she would do an interview she politely said no but invited me over for tea. We had a wonderful connection and some months later she wrote to say that in fact she would like to participate in the film. Lucky for us!

~ Velcrow Ripper

ADDITIONAL INFO
Joanna Macy Official Website

BLOG

The Great Turning

BOOKS INCLUDE
Coming Back to Life
World as Lover
Widening Circles
Mutual Causality
Dharma & Development
Rilke's Book of Hours
In Praise of Mortality