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Adult Religious Education - Exploring Deep Ecology

This class was offered on a one time basis. If there is interest, it may be offered again in the future.

Interested in learning more? The term “Deep Ecology" was coined in 1973 by Norwegian philosopher and mountaineer, Arne Naess. It describes an approach by which an individual looks deeply into his or her relationship with the earth and the responsibility that comes with that relationship.

The EcoStewards Alliance of the Chesapeake Earth Institute has developed a nine-week self-guided program of readings and discussion, called a Discovery Circle, designed to help participants develop informed choices to help “green” and enrich their lives. The Deep Ecology Discovery Circle takes participants on this journey, discussing and reflecting on how their personal values affect the way they view and treat the earth. Topics covered in the nine sessions include:

  • Deep Ecology
  • The Gaia Hypothesis
  • Spirituality and the Earth
  • A New Story From Science
  • Native American Wisdom
  • Ecopsychology
  • Simplicity
  • Bioregionalism
  • Celebration

The cost for the nine-week course is $20, which covers a book of readings for the nine sessions, administrative assistance from the Chesapeake Earth Institute, and a trained facilitator from the Institute to assist in the first and last session. We would begin in February, on either Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. or Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.

Please let Elizabeth Scott know by the end of January if you are interested, and which time would suit you (434-8283) or elizabethscott@att.net The ideal course size is 8 to 10 people.

The Discovery Circle can also be opened up to the local community (in fact, we already have some interest expressed). For more information, see Elizabeth or check out The EcoStewards Alliance.

Here are the readings included in the study materials, listed by session. The final session of the class is an informal celebration.

  1. Deep Ecology
    • Deep Ecology by Tanya Kucak
    •  Thinking Like a Mountain by Aldo leopold
    •  Deep Ecology by Ronald Miller
    •  Excerpt from Deep Ecology and Lifestyle by Arne Naess
  2.  The Gaia Hypothesis
    •  The Gaia Hypothesis by James Lovelock
    •  The Reenchantment of the World by Morris Berman
  3.  Spirituality and the Earth
    • Excerpts from The Wild and the Sacred by Thomas Berry
    • Creation Spirituality by Matthew Fox
    •  Excerpt from Planting the Seeds of Joy by Stephanie Kaza
  4.  A New Story From Science
    •  Excerpts from The Web of Life by Fritjof Capra
    •  Excerpts from Systems Theory by Chris Johnstone
    •  Excerpts from Science as Wisdom, an interview with Brian Swimme
  5.  Native American Wisdom
    •  Quotes from Black Elk and Chief Seattle
    •  Excerpts from Profiles in Wisdom edited by Stephen McFadden
    •  Excerpts from A Native American Perspective by Winona LaDuke
    •  Excerpts from Sharing One Skin by Jeannette Armstrong
  6.  Ecopsychology
    •  The Greening of Psychology by Theodore Roszak
    • Excerpt from The Voice of the Earth by Theodore Roszak
    •  Excerpt from When the Earth Hurts, Who Responds? by Sarah A. Conn
    •  Excerpt from The Coming Biophilia Revolution by David Orr
  7. Simplicity
    •  Excerpt from The Discipline of Simplicity by Richard Foster
    •  Excerpt from Voluntary Simplicity and the New Global Challenge by Duane Elgin
    •  The Green Triangle by Ernest Callenbach
  8.  Bioregionalism
    •  Definitions of "bioregion"
    •  Bioregions by Peter Berg
    •  Excerpt from Dwellers in the Land by Kirkpatrick Sale
    •  Homeplace by Scott Russell Sanders
    •  A Bioregional Quiz
  9.  A Celebration of the Shared Experience
    •  In the ninth and final Session, Study Circle participants typically share food together and discuss the study circle experience. A mentor from the Potomac Valley Earth Institute is present to receive feedback and written evaluations from the participants.