Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1 - Disconnection and Isolation: Our Search for Home
People used to feel connected to the world. There was a time when the natural cycles of the Earth were recognized and observed and our sense of "home" was larger than it is today.

Chapter 2 - Nuclear Madness
Possibly no human activity shows our disconnection from the rhythms of the natural world more than our use of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. The threat of nuclear devastation is as real today as it ever was.

Chapter 3 - All My Relations
Examining our troubled relationship with our animal neighbors reveals the powerful motivations for so many destructive human actions. This chapter highlights the fact that humans are participants in, not directors of, the web of life.

Chapter 4 - Toxic Crisis: The Earth, Air, and Water
The destruction of the earth beneath our feet, the air we breathe and the water we drink can only lead to disaster. In this chapter, we explore the threats to our wildlands from lumbering and toxic exposure, the pollution of our atmosphere and the trashing of our precious water.

Chapter 5 - The Consumer Treadmill: Needs versus Wants
What do we really "need?" How do we separate our needs from our "wants?" This chapter explores the concept of "value" and presents some ideas on how to challenge the assumptions of our lives and how to gain back control over our destiny.

Chapter 6 - The Betrayal of Our Bodies
The trend toward virtual immobility as a goal in our Western culture has had profound implications on our ability to feel. This chapter, through examples of environmental and social choices that are destroying our health, presents healing solutions that can bring us back into our bodies.

 Chapter 7 - In a Class By Ourselves: Classism, Racism, and our Longing for Community
We are not encouraged by our Western culture to help each other – we are instead encouraged to isolate ourselves from the world, to take care of ourselves, to be independent. This chapter explores the idea that maybe classism and racism are just symptoms of our longing to be in community with each other.

 Chapter 8 - The Rhythms of the Earth: Dancing with the Seasons
We roll up the windows of our cars to control the climate inside and we protect ourselves from the elements so effectively that our homes are now great sources of toxic indoor air pollution. This chapter explores the impact of being brought up in a culture that doesn't place much value on a full, rich sensory experience in the natural world and the power that comes from recognizing our part in the rhythms of nature.

 Chapter 9 - Reconnection and Integration
What are basic human needs? How would our lives be different if we took a long, deep breath between each of our daily activities instead of conducting our affairs in one long endless intense stream of busyness? This chapter explores the barriers that seem to keep us from reconnecting with the natural world and with ourselves and offers a plan for reintegration with the cycles of life.

 Chapter 10 - Healing Ourselves and Our World
It is easy to get discouraged, to feel overwhelmed. This chapter reminds us of the wonderful opportunity we have to examine our values and what we have placed value on. It can be a joyous time of house cleaning and soul cleaning, a time when we embrace nature’s limits and see value in unexpected places.

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Copyright (c)2002, Jackie A. Giuliano Ph.D.
jackie@deepteaching.com