Spiritual Activism - by Alastair McIntosh & Matt Carmichael (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A visionary but practical sharing of how spiritual insights, and deepening our inner lives, can impact leadership for social change.

Over the past half-century, the issues facing activists have changed, as has our understanding and awareness of spirituality. For activists, spiritual philosophy is rising up the agenda because it offers distinct, tried and tested approaches to deep questions: Where did it all go wrong? What does it mean to be human? What is the place of leadership? What is the nature of power?

Spiritual Activism begins by defining spirituality for a modern audience of all faiths and beliefs, and goes on to consider the problems and necessities of true leadership. Drawing on a rich history of spirituality and activism, from The Bhagavad Gita to the Hebrew prophets to Carl Jung, it is both guide and inspiration for people involved in activism for social or environmental justice.

Written by Scottish writer Alastair McIntosh and climate activist Matt Carmichael, the text is enriched with tales from the authors' own experiences. It also contains case studies of inspirational spiritual activists (including Mama Efua, Desmond Tutu, Gerrard Winstanley, Sojourner Truth and Julia Butterfly Hill), which demonstrate the transformative power of spiritual principles in action.

Transform your understanding of spiritual activists with this empowering and thoughtful read.

Review Quotes

"Many people who work to change our politics or economics come to realise the deeper, spiritual underpinnings of their work, yet don't know how to articulate it, even to themselves. This book offers a brave, bold and very timely guide to doing just that. If you think you want to change the world, you need to read it." --Paul Kingsnorth of The Dark Mountain Project

"This is a book with a deep river of wisdom running through it; I know that I will be returning to it often." --Gabrielle Lewry

"Having tried everything else, it is now time to add spirit exercised with discipline, going to the heart of the matter where wholeness, healing, and Holy converge. Highly recommended." --Professor David W. Orr of Oberlin College, author of Down to the Wire

"If we wish to engage effectively and for the long run in this world full of wounds, for our efforts for Earth and Justice to be truly sustainable, it behoves us to take great care of our psychological and spiritual wellbeing. This book provides us with an important tool for the journey." --John Seed, Australian deep ecologist and founder of the Rainforest Information Centre

"To my fellow activists, even the most sceptical, I insist read this excellent book and learn some vital lessons from the most successful and longest lasting social movements in history." --George Marshall, founder of the Climate Outreach Information Network.

"Ever since the first Gulf War in 1991, Alastair McIntosh has stood in solidarity with our community to strengthen interfaith relationships. I warmly welcome the recognition in Spiritual Activism that true Islam can contribute to human rights, justice and peace for all in today's world." --Dr Bashir Maan, first elected Muslim politician in the UK and past-President of Glasgow Central Mosque

"Nuclear disarmament, as this thoughtful book suggests, is more than a matter of dismantling the weapons. We must also dismantle our minds and hearts to change our current ideas of true security." --Bruce Kent, Vice President of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

"For any of us who find that the spiritual moment flows from the practical, that prayer (or song, or silence) refreshes on the knife-edge of activism, this book will be an invaluable resource and inspiration. It addresses questions of power, leadership and accountability with honesty, insight and wisdom, and speaks with humanity and humour on the importance of community in human development." --Rev Kathy Galloway, first woman Leader of the Iona Community

"Can we somehow manage to act both rightly and effectively? McIntosh and Carmichael have carefully studied the obstacles that have always made this look so hard. Their careful, sober reasoning and their case studies, reveal a map that leads the right way." --Dr Mary Midgley, philosopher

"With its clarion call that spirituality is central to activism, this is truly a book for our age, challenging the preconceptions of most activists, let alone those who still see spirituality solely as 'an inner journey." --Sir Jonathan Porritt, first chair of the UK government's Sustainable Development Commission

"This book itself is a spiritual journey, with a grounding in psychology, history and theology. It helps us to explore how we can bring our deepest values into action at this crucial time for the world!" --Starhawk, author of The Spiral Dance and The Empowerment Manual

"The word brilliant is overused, but it genuinely applies to Spiritual Activism. No other book brings together social change theory with insights from psychology and spirituality like this book does." --Brian D. McLaren, speaker, activist and author of We Make the Road by Walking

"This is a refreshing and heartening book. It inspires positive action with a rich and skilful integration of spiritual philosophies, psychology and case studies of great activists." --Katrina Shields, author of In the Tiger's Mouth

About the Author

Alastair McIntosh is an independent scholar, activist, writer, speaker and broadcaster. Alastair is founding director of the GalGael Trust, and has taught spiritual activism across the world. He regularly presents Thoughts for the Day and other reflections on BBC radio and television.

Matt Carmichael is a climate activist, English teacher, cartoonist and writer. He was founding member and secretary of Schumacher North and is creator of the Delta course, an introduction to spirituality for those disinterested in religion, but open to life.