Speaker & Writer on

ECOLOGY

MIchael’s Public Talks focusing on our ECOLOGY include:

• Nature as Storyteller…Humanity as Story Listener

• The Deep Ecology of Buddhism

• Christian EcoSpirituality: The EcoTheology of Jesus

• Loving the Earth: Sustainability, Presence, & “Enough-ness”

• Mindful Storytelling & Deep Story Listening in the Era of Healing our Earth

For pricing, scheduling, or further details on these Public Talks, just CONTACT US.

To focus on ECOLOGY is to focus on relationships among humans, animals, plants, and minerals within, and as a part of, the environment. Our Earth has suffered due to our economics, our over-consumption, our lifestyles, and our ways of thinking. A fundamental change in our thinking is required. We must reawaken to our identities in the Life Circle as Earth’s Stewards, Earth’s Children, and re-learn to recognize ourselves as part of the Earth itself.

MORE ABOUT MICHAEL AND ECOLOGY: The term ECOLOGY is a complex one. Scientifically, ECOLOGY refers to the study of relationships and interconnections among humans, animals, plants, and minerals. In common speech, the term ECOLOGY is associated with environmentalism or with “the environment.” There are, however, even problems of speaking of “the environment,” as when people talk about “protecting the environment” or “caring for the environment,” as if “the environment” is this thing out there – this entity, separate from us. More broadly, the same problem arises as we speak of the Earth. Even if we see ourselves as stewards who should care for the Earth, we still may not recognize ourselves as Earthen beings, as part of the Earth itself.

The Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh (aka Thay) encourages us to bring mindfulness to our understanding of ECOLOGY, breaking through dichotomies. He offers a “both-and” understanding of our Earth and environment. Thay says, “We must take care of the environment.” Thay also says, “The environment is us.” He says that we must love our Mother Earth and he says, “We are the Earth.”

Following Thich Nhat Hanh’s teaching, Michael embraces mindfulness and refuses dichotomies. In this era of needed healing for our Eath, a reawakening is required. Mindfulness practices, sacred storytelling, compassionate story listening, as well as re-engaging worthy traditions, ritual, & lore are all needed as we re-invest in our relationship to and connection with the natural world.

We must awaken, once again, to our true identities in the Circle of Life. We are called to recognize ourselves as Earth’s Stewards, as Earth’s Children. Simultaneously, we must also realize that each of us is the Earth. We are each a piece of the living Earth itself. Our Mother Earth needs healing; we need healing.

Now is the time to focus on our spiritual and ethical imperative: We must return to a deep, profound, and relentless care for our planet and the lives of our fellow Earthly inhabitants. In this moment of great need, this is our work.

Along with focusing on ECOLOGY, Michael also offers related Seminars, Workshops and Public Talks that focus on:

• THE ART OF STORYTELLING

For pricing, scheduling, or further details on any of these programs, as well as Michael’s Storytelling Programs, and One-on-One Mindfulness Coaching, CONTACT US.