I thought a forest was made up entirely of trees, but now I know that the foundation lies below ground, in the fungi.

We have been too kind to those who are killing the planet. We have been inexcusably, unforgivably, insanely kind.

When we realize the degree of agency we actually do have, we no longer have to "hope" at all. We simply do the work.

If we celebrate life with all its contradictions, embrace, experience, and ultimately live with it, a chance exists for a spiritual life filled not only with pain and untidiness, but also with joy, community, and creativity.

I no longer see Descartes' statement as arbitrary. It is representative of our culture's narcissism. This narcissism leads to a disturbing disrespect for direct experience and a negation of the body.

To reverse the effects of civilization would destroy the dreams of a lot of people. There's no way around it. We can talk all we want about sustainability, but there's a sense in which it doesn't matter that these people's dreams are based on, embedded in, intertwined with, and formed by an inherently destructive economic and social system. Their dreams are still their dreams. What right do I -- or does anyone else -- have to destroy them. At the same time, what right do they have to destroy the world?

I think a lot of us are increasingly recognizing that the dominant culture is killing the planet.