Joanna Macy has previously spoken about “four R’s” of the Deep Adaptation movement:
the four core values of resilience, relinquishment, restoration, and
reconciliation that can help us find the seeds of new beginnings in the
breakdown of industrial growth society. In this article, she continues
to document the Great Unraveling, likening it to entering the bardo—the
frightening transitional state of consciousness between death and
re-birth so vividly portrayed in Tibetan Buddhism. The worsening
wildfires, hurricanes, COVID outbreaks, and police violence certainly
evoke the intensity and uncertainty of the bardo. But as always, she
faces, and encourages us to face, our “cruel social and ecological
realities” with courage and an unflinching gaze, while continuing to
work towards the Great Turning to a life-sustaining civilization.
Joanna further explored these themes in a talk during Upaya Zen
Center’s daylong program in June. Thanks to Upaya’s generosity, we share
a video of this talk at the end of this article.
We are in a space without a map. With the likelihood of economic
collapse and climate catastrophe looming, it feels like we are on
shifting ground, where old habits and old scenarios no longer apply. In
Tibetan Buddhism, such a space or gap between known worlds is called a bardo. It is frightening. It is also a place of potential transformation.
As you enter the bardo, there facing you is the Buddha Akshobhya. His
element is Water. He is holding a mirror, for his gift is Mirror
Wisdom, reflecting everything just as it is. And the teaching of
Akshobhya’s mirror is this: Do not look away. Do not avert your gaze. Do
not turn aside. This teaching clearly calls for radical attention and
total acceptance.
This article was originally published by Emergence Magazine and is republished here with permission.
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