Special Collections:
Joanna Macy
Joanna Macy, a scholar, activist, and Buddhist thinker, profoundly shaped global movements. A documentary highlights her impact on activism, nuclear guardianship, and personal transformation. Naropa University's Joanna Macy Center advances her vision, inspiring hope and responsibility for future generations.
The Center empowers individuals to build a resilient world by fostering deep connections with self, others, and nature, inspiring collaborative action. As Dr. Macy taught, this interconnectedness is key to healing.
Naropa University hosts "Reconnecting for a Just and Regenerative Future," a three-day conference celebrating 50 years of Macy's "The Work that Reconnects." It unites leaders from diverse fields to address social and ecological crises, reimagining possibilities.
This speech, titled "The Hidden Promise of Our Dark Age," was delivered by Joanna Macy at the 2009 National Bioneers Conference and posted on August 22, 2018. Macy, a renowned activist and spiritual teacher (1929-2025), offers a hopeful message: by freeing ourselves from the "industrial growth society's" delusions, we can discover our inherent creativity and solidarity amidst crisis, avoiding panic.
Introduced by Bioneers Co-Founder Nina Simons, the organization has served as a vital hub for social and scientific innovators since 1990, providing practical solutions for pressing environmental and social challenges. Support Bioneers today: www.bioneers.org/donate
Joanna Macy (b. 1929), recipient of the 2013 Bioneers Lifetime Contribution Award, discusses the joy of life.
This speech was delivered at the 2013 Bioneers Annual Conference. The recording was published on February 6, 2014.
Eco-philosopher Joanna Macy, author of "The Work That Reconnects," proposes the "Great Turning." This concept represents a third major revolution, following the agricultural and industrial ages.
In 2005, Macy critiqued our profit-driven economic system, deeming it unsustainable. She emphasized that a fundamental shift in our values is crucial for a necessary change in consciousness, noting this is an incredible time to be alive.
Learn more at Ms. Macy's Website.
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How to Live on Earth | Feature Documentary | Presented by Benedict Cumberbatch
What if the solutions to building a better future already exist? How to Live on Earth is an ambitious documentary that explores how humanity can create a thriving future by collaborating with nature. Presented by Benedict Cumberbatch, the film reveals the potential of teaming up with nature to address our greatest challenges.
Heartwarming and energizing, it offers a hopeful vision for a future where both nature and humanity can thrive. How to Live on Earth is produced by Open Planet Studios in association with Villars Institute Foundation and Silvania. Join the conversation by downloading film assets and sharing your reaction at howtoliveonearth.net/social-toolkit. Explore educational resources from the Villars Institute at YouTube.
