Category Archives: Politics
‘A Wiser Politics’ by Jean Hardy
You must read this book. If you are interested in political philosophy you will find it fascinating. If you are not interested in political philosophy you soon will be. Continue reading
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‘Madness, Mystery and the Survival of God’ by Isabel Clarke
Healing, at least in part, can come through making sense of suffering and learning from it. So, for those who have suffered from mental ill-health or those who meet people who do, this book is particularly helpful. Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Psychology, Spirituality
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‘Enough:Breaking free from the world of more’ by John Naish
This book opens with words from the Tao Te Ching “He who knows he has enough is rich” … and then continues … “We have some evolving to do. And quickly. We need to develop a sense of ‘enoughness.’” Continue reading
‘The Animals’ Lawsuit against Humanity’ by Ikhwan al-Safa
The story of this book is miraculous in itself. The fable and the message it so clearly contains date from over a thousand years ago. The origins of the story were Indian, but it was actually written down for the first time in the tenth century C.E. in Arabic by a Sufi order. It has since circulated through most of the Eastern religions; this edition is the first one in English. I found out about it through Isabel Carlisle, who converted it into play form and has used it in schools over the last few years. Continue reading
Posted in Gaia, Philosophy, Politics
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‘Heat: How We Can Stop the Planet Burning’ by George Monbiot
George Monbiot researches the subject of climate change in depth, he cuts through preconceptions and gets to the root of the problem. A breath of oxygen rich fresh air. He shows how we can reduce carbon emissions by 90% by 2030 – this is the level he suggests we need to reach to avoid runaway global warming and the collapse of large eco-systems. Continue reading
‘EcoMind: Changing the Way We Think to Create the World We Want’ by Frances Moore Lappé
When she was researching for her landmark book Diet for a Small Planet back in 1970, Frances Moore Lappé realized that it is we human beings ourselves who create the problems, such as scarcity, that we find so troubling. “While most of us think that ‘seeing is believing’… no, for human beings ‘believing is seeing.’ Our core ideas about how the world works determine, literally, what we can see and what we can’t.” Continue reading
Posted in Gaia, Philosophy, Politics, Practical
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‘Out of the Labyrinth: Who We Are, How We Go Wrong and What We Can Do about It’ by Carl Frankel
This book addresses the elements in human nature that either propel one in the direction of living in harmony with the earth or, as is the usual case, carry on as though a connection didn’t exist. Continue reading
Posted in Gaia, Politics, Practical, Psychology
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‘The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community’ by David C Korten
David Korten wrote this book several years ago, but it is probably even more relevant – and urgent – today. He sees us at a crossroads, and the choice we make will result in either The Great Turning of the title, or The Great Unravelling. Continue reading
Posted in History, Philosophy, Politics, Practical
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‘The Nature Principle: Human Restoration and the End of Nature-Deficit Disorder’ by Richard Louv
Whereas Louv’s earlier book Last Child in the Woods pointed out the problem of Nature- Deficiency Disorder in children, Louv’s new book The Nature Principle points out that adults themselves can suffer from the same disorder—and many already are. Though we tend to forget it, we too are animals; we co-evolved with the natural world and we need it as much as ever. Being isolated from green and growing things predisposes us to a range of conditions such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, behaviour disorders, depression and a lack of connection with community and place. We ignore these warnings at our peril. Continue reading
Posted in Education, Gaia, Health and wellbeing, Philosophy, Politics, Practical, Psychology
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‘Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in without Going Crazy’ by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone
It is so easy to become fearful, isolated and despondent about the enormity of the environmental and social challenges that we, as a human race, are currently facing. This book tells us how we can sustain ourselves through these challenges and live positive, compassionate and hope filled lives Continue reading
Posted in Creation Spirituality, Gaia, Health and wellbeing, Philosophy, Politics, Practical, Psychology, Spirituality
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‘A Better World Is Possible’ by Bruce Nixon
After reviewing what is wrong with today’s world, Nixon argues for a sustainable and just economy, involving reform of the large global financial institutions currently dominated by the interests of big business and rich countries. He proposes unlocking democracy by moving to a more participatory system, with more power at a local level. He also illustrates how the money currently poured into the military machine could be used for conflict resolution and war prevention. Additionally, he addresses the issues of eradicating world hunger, and creating sustainable (and beautiful) towns and cities. Continue reading
