Spiritual Ecology: A Quiet Revolution

by Leslie E. Sponsel

Publisher:

Praeger

, 2012

A prominent scientist and scholar documents and explains the thoughts, actions, and legacies of spiritual ecology's pioneers from ancient times to the present, demonstrating how the movement may offer the last chance to restore a healthy relationship between humankind and nature.

An internet search for "Spiritual Ecology" and related terms like "Religion and Nature" and "Religion and Ecology" reveals tens of millions of websites. Spiritual Ecology: A Quiet Revolution offers an intellectual history of this far-reaching movement. Arranged chronologically, it samples major developments in the thoughts and actions of both historic and contemporary pioneers, ranging from the Buddha and St. Francis of Assisi to Wangari Maathai's Green Belt Movement and James Cameron's 2010 epic film Avatar.

This foundational book is unique in that it provides a historical, cross-cultural context for understanding and advancing the ongoing spiritual ecology revolution, considering indigenous and Asian religious traditions as well as Western ones. Most chapters focus on a single pioneer, illuminating historical context and his/her legacy, while also connecting that legacy to broader concerns. Coverage includes topics as diverse as Henry David Thoreau and the Green Patriarch Bartholomew's decades-long promotion of environmentalism as a sacred duty for more than 250 million members of the Orthodox Church worldwide. For more information, visit www.spiritualecology.info.

Features

Clear, concise, and captivating essays on well-known, as well as little-known, pioneers in spiritual ecology
Chapter-long treatment of each individual's contributions, allowing for in-depth coverage
An extensive resource guide, including films and websites
An appendix listing approximately 100 pioneers in spiritual ecology

Contents

Foreword
Prologue
1. What's in a Tree?
I. ROOTS
2. Enchanted Nature, Animism
3. The Original Spiritual Ecologists, Indigenous Peoples
4. Ecologically Noble or Ignoble?
5. Natural Wisdom and Action, The Buddha
6. Medieval Radical, Saint Francis of Assisi
II. TRUNK
7. The Spirit of Walden, Henry David Thoreau
8. Wilderness Disciple, John Muir
9. Spiritual Science, Rudolf Steiner
III. BRANCHES
10. Nature as Thou, Martin Buber
11. Challenging Christians, Lynn White, Jr.
12. Supernovas
IV. LEAVES
13. Can a Poet Save Nature? W.?S. Merwin
14. Reconnecting, Joanna Macy
15. Green Patriarch, Bartholomew I
V. FLOWERS, SEEDS, AND FRUITS
16. To Plant a Tree, Wangari Maathai
17. Desert Spirituality, Burning Man
18. Avatar, Opening Pandora's Box, James Cameron
VI. HAZARDS
19. Atheist Spiritual Ecology, Donald A. Crosby
20. Natural Theology, Alister E. McGrath
21. Secularization of the Sacred, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
Epilogue
Notes
Appendix: Selected List of Contributors to Spiritual Ecology
Bibliography
Index

Praise for Spiritual Ecology

This is a valuable and challenging work that deserves wide reading and consideration.

Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries.

[T]he book . . . [has] value as a compendium of diverse material so presented as to promote a worthy cause.

This is a wide-ranging and impressively informed book. . . . The book brings into comparative focus a splendid collection of spiritually inspired persons and movements whose exemplary ideas, convictions, and actions have significant bearing on the field of environmental thought and action.

Product Details

• Title: Spiritual Ecology: A Quiet Revolution
• Author: Leslie E. Sponsel
• Publisher: Praeger
• Print Publication Date: 2012
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBN: 9798216147930
• Resource ID: LLS:9798216147930
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-15T16:17:21Z

About the Author

Leslie E. Sponsel, PhD, is professor emeritus in anthropology at the University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI, where he developed and directed the Ecological Anthropology Program for three decades.