Minding the Earth, Mending the World: Zen and the Art of Planetary Crisis

Just finished reading this for the second time. Insightful, wise words. There are a lot of books out there about the science and cause and possible response – or denial – of global climate change. The form of the phenomena. Susan Murphy Roshi provides a different take on things. The climate, the power plant, the gas-guzzling SUV, the world leader, and the reader are all empty of independent existence. The breath and the carbon emission. Become the knot to slowly untie it. I am encouraged and made hopeful by this book; read it and then give it to a friend.

This is a deep and important book. It's very readable, but so full of insights I read it very slowly. A Zen teacher and practitioner, Susan Murphy brings insight and compassion to the states of mind, individual and collective, that have brought us so close to killing our own life support. She writes well, and unpretentiously, and with deep, clear conviction. She's literate in the science as well as the stories; most of all she writes from her unblinking compassion for the web of life on this astounding planet, and us, and our fearful self-deceptions. Buy it, put it aside on a shelf as I did if you like, and one day pick it up and let it teach you.

It takes courage to articulate the demand to be an awake human at this moment on Earth. Susan Murphy does so with graceful wisdom, a zing of biting humor and, most profoundly, a bodhisattva heartmind. She offers us Zen teachings in the context of the evolving Universe story, making the cosmos intimate. She develops an ethics of realization. Will we accept?

Susan Murphy opens the reader into a deeper awareness of the strong need for new thought, new stories and connection with the Earth. One starts to see that the Earth is none other than one's self. Strongly recommend for those who are looking for a wiser way to engage in our environmental crisis.

A lyrical yet critical look to sober all thinking about human future, even while offering joyful encouragement! Put it at the top of your 'deep change' list...

Important book. Americans should read it. We have all been asleep, but it is our life and the future of our children and their children that are at stake.LMT

A bit too precious.

wonderful, insightful, informative, poetic, inspiring

This book is amazing if not only for the subject matter but the eloquence and beauty in the writing and thought! Such an important, insightful, educational, compassionate read.