
Active Hope
Miguel González Martín. In these moments of so much uncertainty and pain, hope emerges as an emotion, a virtue, a “holy idea” that needs to be cultivated, both personally and collectively. There are many good things written in this blog about it. I only bring it to mind because during these days of confinement I have had occasion to reread a book that La Llave press did well to translate and publish two years ago.
“Active Hope: How to Face the Global Disaster without Going Crazy” is written by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone. The former is perhaps better known as an activist for social and environmental justice, a philosopher and expert on Buddhism. In these days she turns 91 years old. Along with her is a medical doctor and therapist specializing in the psychology of resilience. Between the two of them, they trace a practical itinerary to strengthen our capacity for giving a response, from deep within each person and group, to the climate emergency of our world. We can say that the book is situated at the crossroads of social and political activism and spirituality. They intersect where social change and personal change shake hands and reinforce each other. It is a spirituality with the strong imprint of Tibetan Buddhism although, in my humble opinion, it is accessible to everyone and has a very familiar ring to those with a Christian spirituality. (more…)

Where is God?
Víctor Codina. Fortunately, along with the terrifying and almost unhealthy television news programs about the pandemic, there have appeared alternative voices that are more positive and filled with hope.
Some people turn to history to remind us that humanity has gone through and overcome other times of plagues and pandemics like those of the Middle Ages and the one of 1918 after the First World War. Others are surprised at the attitude of the countries of Europe, unified in combatting the virus when until now they have differed about climate change, immigrants and acquisition of armaments. This is surely because this pandemic breaks through borders and affects the interests of those in power. It is now the turn of the people of Europe to suffer something of what has afflicted the refuges and immigrants who are not able to cross those same borders. (more…)