The metaphors we use speak to our assumptions about the world. Whether we’re addressing a diagnosis like cancer or the condition of our rapidly warming planet, speaking about waging warfare can seem like an important—even heroic—way to rally people to the cause. But seeing the condition of our cells and the state of the climate …continue
Our usual Western view of the world teaches us separation. Medically, we’re taught to believe that each organ is separate from the others and that the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of our lives are distinct. We’re also encouraged to see ourselves as separate from the people and the world around us. The long history …continue
As I sit down to write this, looking out the window from my house in northern Vermont, we’ve recently transitioned into spring. But unlike many other past transitions out of winter, this year’s change isn’t from cold, snow, and ice into more warmth, sunshine, and the green of new grass. While the temperature is increasing …continue
What initially drew me to Brendan Kelly’s The Yin and Yang of Climate Crisis is its holistic understanding of the environmental crisis and the solution it offers for healing. Using his expertise in Chinese medicine, Brendan diagnosed the planet the same way he diagnoses his patients. His book is about the common ailment he found …continue
Excerpt from The Yin and Yang of Climate Crisis by Brendan Kelly The Belief in Continuous Growth As has been discussed by many authors, the ecological effects of an economy based on growth are far-reaching. Despite what advertisements and manufacturers might imply, the things that we buy do not simply materialize out of thin …continue
Excerpt from The Yin and Yang of Climate Crisis by Brendan Kelly Healing Personal, Cultural, and Ecological Imbalance with Chinese Medicine Virtually everything we hear about climate change is from our usual, Western perspective. Most of the discussion about the crisis of global warming focuses on external issues: calls to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, …continue