From William Martin, Taoist teacher and author. His books on Taoist thought for the modern world include The Parent’s Tao Te Ching, The Activist’s Tao Te Ching, and many others.
In, Loving Mother Earth, Dr. Andy Atwood approaches the subject of Global Ecological Crisis as a behavioral scientist, a viewpoint greatly needed in the current milieu of emotion-laden angst and furor. His work is not so concerned with what the various approaches (or non-approaches) to the climate crises might be, but with the process by which we arrive at these approaches and how we might mature and develop them as we mature and develop our own spirits and souls.
He wastes no time in arguing the fact of climate change nor its crucial place in humanity’s future. He rightly uses the term “Global Environmental Emergency” to underscore the importance of the subject.
His work seeks to walk the line between an understandable pessimism and a more encouraging sense that, despite the, “inconvenient truths,” that there is a way ahead - for us as individuals, for humanity, and for the Earth. He acknowledges that there will never be a “return to normal.” The opportunity for that return is past. What we can work towards is a new way of being with our Mother as loving nurturing humans, regardless of what lies ahead. It is to this new way that Andy offers this book and its associated web-based materials.
The use of the phrase, “Mother Earth,” places us in an intimate relationship with our environment. This relationship is a necessary starting point for Andy’s work. Contrary to our cultural myths, we are not standing “on” the Earth as independent actors but are “of” the Earth as cells are of the body. That we are cancerous cells on the brink of killing our host and thus ourselves does not negate the truth of our essential relationship. Andy assumes that his readers will have some investment in environmental concerns and/or in personal spiritual growth. He then weaves these two concerns into a circular process in which spiritual growth leads to environmental concern, which leads to spiritual development, which leads to environmental action …
His later chapters are based on his work as a developmental scientist. Synthesizing several models of personal development, he helps the reader understand how stages of personal growth affect our understanding of the climate crisis and how our responses might evolve as we go along the path of growth. Understanding that everyone is on a developmental journey helps us step away from the confrontational modes that tend to make the crisis political and divisive.
The unique quality of Andy’s work lies in the connection between the rather brief but essential overview presented in the book, and the deeper opportunity for study, dialogue, development, and personal interaction he offers through his website. The willingness of an author to have his book be a “work in progress” is a rare quality, one that is perhaps essential if we are to work together on this most important of tasks. Too often we read a book, think about it a bit, put it aside and go on to the next thing. Andy invites us, through his site, www.loving-mother-earth.com, to stay engaged, remain connected, and grow together into true lovers of humanity and of our Mother Earth.
He has written a clear and simple road map to the complex and chaotic territory of our Ecological Emergency. It is a book that expresses the heart of a man who has lived a life of spiritual integrity and social conscience. I must confess that Andy is also one of my dearest friends. We were seminarians together more than forty-five years ago and have shared mishaps and adventures aplenty in the intervening years. I trust his heart completely and am delighted that he has chosen to undertake this essential work.
From Kurt... a helpful response with some recommendations for the Second Edition. Hi Andy,
I just finished your book. I think that it is very well done. The information is presented in a clear, concise, and engaging way that holds the interest of this reader. It is also the first book that I have seen which deals with the subject matter that you describe. I would recommend this book to other people.
Something that occurred to me while I read the book was a possible different structuring of the chapters.
You describe five stages of growth toward environmental activism. They are: waking up, growing up, opening up, cleaning up, and showing up. While I think this approach is very helpful, I'm wondering whether the five stages would be easier to think about if they were combined in such a way to produce simply three stages, rather than five.
I've noticed that human beings like things that come in threes; such as the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, three strikes in baseball, and the three chances people typically give to other people in order to help them get something right.
I'm reminded of my two years on the track team in high school: we would line up at the starting block, and then the official would say , "On your mark; get set--and then he would fire the starting gun and we would take off sprinting toward the finish line. One, two, three: GO!
Would your ideas be served, for example, if you combined waking up and growing up into one first stage, then combined opening up and cleaning up into one second stage, and finally the third stage would consist of a resounding SHOW UP that burst the reader into action, just like the starting gun would fire and send the track runners off and down the track toward victory at the finish line.
Three things seem easier for me to think about and to deal with than five things. Three things might hold more staying power with you readers than five, and I know that you want your book to change people's thinking and to change their lives--for the betterment of the planet.
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about my thoughts.
Regards,
Kurt
From Keith - Add Images. I have one quick idea for a second edition and that is to add photos/pictures/images of “our mother”. I have been taking and composing photos for a long time and I know the power of a photograph to move the emotions of people. Words and images, as you already know, hit both sides of the brain. Also, I am so pleased that my son, Nate, has picked up the hobby and passion of photography. Check out his website and see what I mean about the power of a photo. Wonder and awe are a part of the spiritual journey. www.natedphoto.com