Tao of Sustainability: Cultivate Yourself to Heal the Earth

by Gregory Ripley

Overview

At the crux of our current environmental crisis lies humanity’s perceived separation from nature. We simply will not take care of the natural world if we do not believe we are an integral part of it. In Tao of Sustainability the author presents the traditional Daoist path of self-cultivation as a framework for bringing humans back into a sustainable relationship with the Earth. Tao of Sustainability also explores how our health, both mental and physical, is impacted by nature, drawing on research in the fields of Green Exercise, Nature and Forest Medicine, and Ecopsychology. Part philosophy, part meditation manual, part nature awareness guide, Tao of Sustainability offers numerous pathways towards reconnecting with nature and the Dao through mind, body, and spirit. Drawing from a variety of disciplines and traditions, from Daoism to Stoicism, Ecopsychology to Buddhist mind training, the visual arts to movement (tai chi, qigong)—this book provides numerous ways to reconnect with the natural world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781931483315
Publisher:	Three Pines Press
Publication date:	01/31/2016
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	220
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.60(d)

Editorial Reviews

2016-05-02
Ripley (Primal Energy, 2014, etc.) offers a path back to nature in this philosophical work. Humans are farther from the natural world than at any point in history, according to this book; the environment is in a state of imbalance, and the culture is obsessed with ever more complex technologies. Ripley's text, which is rooted in the Taoist quest to return to man's original state, seeks to provide "pathways toward reconnecting with nature...for the health and wellness of each of us as individuals, and for the health and well-being of the planet as a whole." For the author, this includes embracing traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and other practices that concentrate on the qi (energy) cycle. He also extends the idea to diet: "Some foods help relax the Liver and move qi in the body. They include asparagus, cabbage, lemon, and coconut." Ripley's approach is holistic, covering not only medicinal and dietary topics, but also the ways in which a person interacts with the world, physically and mentally. He introduces readers to nature-inspired body/mind practices, such as qi gong and taiji, as well as the Bagua—symbols representing nature categories that one may use to inform and augment the aforementioned practices. Ripley's influences are rooted in ancient China, but they also include input from the Stoics and modern, ecologically conscious lifestyles and thinkers. He writes in an easy, instructive prose, explaining the underlying reasoning for each of the aspects of his regimen and how they fit together harmoniously. His prescription to return his readers to a simpler, more natural life sounds quite appealing, and the photographs of natural landscapes here do much to sell readers on the shortcomings of cheeseburgers and land subdivisions. However, Ripley's glorification of man's natural state ignores, to a certain extent, how scientific developments have made people healthier. The attraction of his recommendations will likely depend on how much skepticism readers hold toward ancient philosophies. That said, his call to slow down, seek balance, and be conscious of one's role within the larger ecological system is good advice for readers of all belief systems. An informative, well-presented application of traditional activities and philosophies to modern-day life.

Kirkus Reviews