In Animate Earth Stephan Harding explores how Gaian science can help
us to develop a sense of connectedness with the 'more-than-human' world.
His work is based on careful integration of rational scientific analysis
with our intuition, sensing and feeling - a vitally important task at
this time of severe ecological and climate crisis. Stephan Harding
replaces the cold, objectifying language of science with a way of
speaking of our planet as a sentient, living being rather than as a
dead, inert mechanism. For example, chemical reactions are described
using metaphors from human life, such as marriage, attraction, repulsion
etc., so as to bring personality back into the world of rocks,
atmosphere, water and living things. In this sense, the book is a
contemporary attempt to rediscover anima mundi (the soul of the world)
through Gaian science, whilst assuming no prior knowledge of science.
Animate Earth argues that we need to establish a right relationship
with the planet as a living entity in which we are indissolubly
embedded - and to which, in the final analysis, we are all accountable.
The book inspires the reader to connect with a profound sense of the
intrinsic value of the Earth, and to discover what it means to live as
harmoniously as possible within a sentient creature of planetary
proportions. This expanded second edition includes a new chapter on
fungi, new contemplative exercises and an update on the global climate
situation.
The DVD of the Animate Earth film is available through
animateearth.com. Presented by Dr Stephan Harding, it features
interviews with leading environmentalists, scientists and spiritual
leaders, including Brian Goodwin, Iain McGilchrist, Fritjof Capra,
Vandana Shiva, Jules Cashford and Satish Kumar.
