World as Lover, World as Self
Wisdom from a Founder of Deep Ecology and EcoDharma
with Joanna Macy, PhD and Jennifer Berezan
Joanna Macy’s 1991 book World as Lover, World as Self helped create the Engaged Buddhist movement and has been an inspiration to thousands of people seeking to integrate Buddhist wisdom with social and environmental action. It is the foundation of her life’s work, now known as The Work That Reconnects. Macy is a beloved elder at Spirit Rock, and this course records her last teaching at Spirit Rock in 2021 before her retirement.
Reflections from Past Participants
What You'll Experience
- The last Spirit Rock class from a venerable Dharma elder
- Inspiration for spiritually-informed climate action
- Pathways for coming out of burnout and eco-anxiety
- Songs and stories to uplift and open the heart for wise action
- A scholar, visionary, and mystic whose life work focuses on the integration of Deep Ecology with the insights of the Buddhist tradition
This course is for you if...
- You struggle with climate anxiety or grief
- You want to renew your commitment to environmental action
- You want to learn more about the Buddhist concept of interdependence
- You’re looking for connections between Buddhism and social justice
- You want to transform climate grief into source of compassionate engagement
What You Receive
3 hrs of video teachings
Original Songs and Inquiry
Readings and Integration Practices
Live online mentoring/Q&R sessions
Live Community Question & Response sessions
Lifetime Access to Course
Course Syllabus
- Welcome & opening song
- The Gift of Gratitude
- Inquiry: Gratitude
- Song: Jennifer Berezan, “Eyes of Compassion”
- Rilke Poems
- Song: Jennifer Berezan, “My Memory Forever”
- Inquiry: Being with our pain for the world
- Song: Jennifer Berezan, “Turn the World Around”
- Song: Jennifer Berezan, “Plant a Tree”
- Seeing with new eyes
- Inquiry: Seeing with new eyes (video combined with previous)
- Closing Teaching & Contemplation
Meet The Teachers
Joanna Macy, PhD
Spirit Rock Guest Teacher
Joanna Macy, PhD is a scholar of Buddhism, systems theory and deep ecology. A respected voice in the movements for peace, justice and ecology, she gives trainings worldwide for eco-warriors and activists for global justice. As the root teacher of The Work That Reconnects , she has created a ground-breaking theoretical framework for personal and social change. Her books include World as Lover, World as Self and Coming Back to Life: Practices to Reconnect Our Lives, Our World.
Jennifer Berezan
Spirit Rock Guest Teacher
Jennifer Berezan is a unique blend of singer/songwriter, teacher, ritualist, and activist. She weaves the sacred into heart-achingly beautiful, original contemporary musical styles, including folk, rock, chant, and pop. Her work is deeply imbued with Buddhist and earth-based themes. Jennifer creates cross-cultural community concert rituals in devotion to the world.
Add-ons (Optional)
You can add during checkout
Continuing Education
5 CE Credits – $50
This program offers 5 CE credits for $50 for psychologists, California licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors, and may be applicable for other licenses. Please review our CEC information page for full provider information.
To be eligible for Continuing Education Credits (CECs), you must:
- Register and pay for CECs prior to the start of the program. After the program begins, no retroactive CECs will be given and the CEC fee is non-refundable.
- Attend in full and fulfill all attendance requirements and next steps. No exceptions. Please review the CEC information page for attendance requirements.
more here
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access my program on the Online Learning Platform?
Although our Programs are available on any device, we suggest using a computer (if possible) and Chrome or Firefox browser to log in: https://courses.spiritrock.org
To access the course:
• Use a computer and the Chrome or Firefox browser to log in at courses.spiritrock.org.
• Please note: Your login for the Online Learning Platform is separate from your Spirit Rock website login.
• Once logged in, your dashboard will display all your enrolled courses.
• Click on your program, then use the menu on the left to navigate through course sections.
How can I best view the content?
Although the Online Learning Platform works on mobile and tablet devices, for the best experience, use a desktop or laptop. This might be an easier way to find all the areas of the site as you are learning how it works.
What is the course format?
All of our on-demand courses are offered in a flexible self-study format, so you can access the materials whenever is good for you. Readings, video, audio, and all resources are structured for sequential access in our Online Learning Platform.
Can I participate from a different time zone?
Yes of course! We have students from all over the world participate in our courses. These self-paced study and practice courses are available wherever you are in the world, and whenever works best for you.
How long will I have access to the course?
You have lifetime access to the course and all materials.
I have more questions. Can you help me?
Yes! Please email us at courses@spiritrock.org with any questions that you might have.
