Seeing the dangers confronting humankind these days, we can feel depressed, demoralised and helpless to avert disaster – or even to talk about such feelings. This retreat provides a space not only to talk but to explore an extraordinary sequence of reflections and communal practices that can rekindle an active hope and vision for humanity.
The retreat takes its title from a book called ‘Active Hope’ co-authored by Joanna Macy. Having studied Buddhism, Joanna went on to develop this sequence of exercises and reflections to help us move from despair into an ‘active hope’. Such hope is far more than something vague and passive … more like a vision for humanity, a future to which we can contribute and actively help to bring about. The retreat takes its title from a book called Active Hope co-authored by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnston. Having studied Buddhism, Joanna went on to develop this sequence of exercises and reflections to help us move from despair into an ‘active hope’. Such hope is far more than something vague and passive … more like a vision for humanity, a future towhich we can contribute and actively help to bring about. Joanna Macy calls her workshop sequence the ‘Spiral of the Work That Reconnects’. Drawing on Buddhist ideas, living systems theory and deep ecology, the Work That Reconnects strengthens our capacity to give our best response to the global challenges confronting us.
