The Work that Reconnects helps people discover and experience their innate connections with each other and the self-healing powers of the web of life, transforming despair and overwhelm into inspired, collaborative action.
– Joanna Macy
The Work That Reconnects, based on the teachings of Buddhist Schooler and Deep Ecologist Joanna Macy, follows a Spiral of practices that are being used to look at and go through difficult emotions about the times of Climate Crises, Ecological Collapse and War we are living in. These practises focusing on Gratitude, Honouring our Pain, Seeing with new Eyes and Going Worth are helping us to look at our feelings around big topics and hopefully will help us find a different perspective to be able to take our next step with Active Hope. |
What is Active Hope?
Active Hope is a practice. Like tai chi or gardening, it is something we do rather than have. It is a process we can apply to any situation, and it involves three key steps. First, we take a clear view of reality; second, we identify what we hope for in terms of the direction we’d like things to move in or the values we’d like to see expressed; and third, we take steps to move ourselves or our situation in that direction.
Since Active Hope doesn’t require our optimism, we can apply it even in areas where we feel hopeless. The guiding impetus is intention, we choose what we aim to bring about, act for, or express. Rather than weighing our chances and proceeding only when we feel hopeful, we focus on our intention and let it be our guide.
from the Book - 'Active Hope' by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone
Active Hope is a practice. Like tai chi or gardening, it is something we do rather than have. It is a process we can apply to any situation, and it involves three key steps. First, we take a clear view of reality; second, we identify what we hope for in terms of the direction we’d like things to move in or the values we’d like to see expressed; and third, we take steps to move ourselves or our situation in that direction.
Since Active Hope doesn’t require our optimism, we can apply it even in areas where we feel hopeless. The guiding impetus is intention, we choose what we aim to bring about, act for, or express. Rather than weighing our chances and proceeding only when we feel hopeful, we focus on our intention and let it be our guide.
from the Book - 'Active Hope' by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone
My journey with Work that Reconnects
I came across Active Hope and Joanna Macy through my involvement in Extinction Rebellion. Friends I made were talking about this amazing book called Active Hope. To me it seemed to be a necessary read for a newbie climate activist. So I dove right into it.
I thought that the whole process of looking at ones pain for the environment, conflict or war was great. The group workshop part really appealed to me and I loved how everything was interlaced with Buddhism, Deep Ecology and System Change Theories. I actually was blown away by the connections between Joanna Macy, Thich Nhat Hahn and Climate activists. Having been a follower of Thich Nhat Hahn’s for a while it felt like everything fell into place. As if Active Hope and the Work that reconnects was an inevitability in my life.
When I go through the Spiral of Gratitude, Honour our Pain, Seeing with New Eyes and Going Forth it always amazes me that no matter how much pain I was feeling I always end up with hope, strength to go forward and energy to step up to work for the Great Turning.
Inspired by my own experiences of uplift when going through the Spiral, I decided to lead Active Hope Book Clubs and offer Work that Reconnects workshops in person and hopefully online soon as well.
I am working towards becoming an accredited Work that Reconnects Facilitator.
I came across Active Hope and Joanna Macy through my involvement in Extinction Rebellion. Friends I made were talking about this amazing book called Active Hope. To me it seemed to be a necessary read for a newbie climate activist. So I dove right into it.
I thought that the whole process of looking at ones pain for the environment, conflict or war was great. The group workshop part really appealed to me and I loved how everything was interlaced with Buddhism, Deep Ecology and System Change Theories. I actually was blown away by the connections between Joanna Macy, Thich Nhat Hahn and Climate activists. Having been a follower of Thich Nhat Hahn’s for a while it felt like everything fell into place. As if Active Hope and the Work that reconnects was an inevitability in my life.
When I go through the Spiral of Gratitude, Honour our Pain, Seeing with New Eyes and Going Forth it always amazes me that no matter how much pain I was feeling I always end up with hope, strength to go forward and energy to step up to work for the Great Turning.
Inspired by my own experiences of uplift when going through the Spiral, I decided to lead Active Hope Book Clubs and offer Work that Reconnects workshops in person and hopefully online soon as well.
I am working towards becoming an accredited Work that Reconnects Facilitator.
Work that Reconnects and Active Hope resources
Work that Reconnects Network
Active Hope Online Course
Work that Reconnects Network
Active Hope Online Course
Daniela Voit
Shiatsu & Sei-ki Practitioner |