Intrinsic Hope
Kate Davies
A different kind of hope for living in these turbulent times
- This book describes how we can be hopeful in the age of global crisis by cultivating a positive, though not necessarily optimistic, attitude to life.
- Intrinsic Hope explains the difference between extrinsic hope; based on anticipating or expecting specific outcomes and intrinsic hope; an internal attitude to life that does not depend on achieving anything in the external world
- Combining ideas, facts and feelings, anecdotes, insights and exercises, Intrinsic Hope draws on the author?s struggles to remain hopeful after working on environmental and social issues for more than 35 years.
- The second part of the book describes six habits to nurture intrinsic hope including: being in the present moment, expressing gratitude, loving the world, accepting what is, taking action, and persevering for the long haul.
- Davies book The Rise of the U.S. Environmental Health Movement, was selected as one of the top ten books on sustainability published in 2013.
- Intrinsic Hope makes a unique contribution to the emerging literature on how we can face the painful psychological awareness of what we are doing to the environment and other people.
- Davies is a clinical associate professor in the School of Public Heath at the University of Washington and has served on the boards of many environmental organizations, including the International Joint Commission, the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Environmental Law Association.
International market
- Addresses how people can respond to global environmental and social issues in a positive, self-empowering way
- Author worked as a professor in the UK
Foreword by Vicki Robbin
Introduction: Where On Earth Are We Going?
The Global Eco-social Crisis and Its Impacts
Psychological Impacts
The Psychological Context
Where On Earth Are We Going?
Uncovering and Nurturing Hope
Part I: Uncovering Intrinsic Hope
1. Naming Our Feelings about the Global Eco-social Crisis
Fear
Disappointment
Self-Righteous Anger and Frustration
Shame and Guilt
Sadness and Despair
Grief
Denial and Apathy
Concluding Thoughts
2. Reasons for Hope
Life Is Inherently Hopeful
We Know More Than Ever Before
The Future Is Uncertain
We May Be Able to Resolve This Crisis Because We Caused It
Humankind Is Beginning to Think Globally
History Tells Us Positive Social Change Is Possible
The Growing Global Citizens' Movement
Hope Can Be Learned
It Is Our Responsibility To Be Hopeful
Just Because. . .What Else Would We Do?
3. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Hope
Extrinsic Hope
Intrinsic Hope
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Hope Compared
The Relationship Between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Hope
Part II: Habits of Hope
4. Being Present
Mindfulness
Distraction
Selective Attention
Meditation
Using Our Senses
Wonder
Bearing Witness
Being Present to the Universe
5. Expressing Gratitude
Choosing to Feel Grateful
Things To Be Grateful For
Expressing Gratitude
Appreciation and Problems
Joy
Gratitude and Consumerism
6. Loving the World
Love and Compassion
Community
Loving Places
Loving the Earth
Loving Future Generations
7. Accepting What Is
Opening Up to Painful Emotions
Forgiveness
Reframing
Expressing Feelings
8. Taking Action
Scientific Information
Results, Responsibility, and Virtue
Purpose and Commitment
Do No Harm
Small Steps
9. Persevering for the Long Haul
Self-Discipline
Resilience
Long-Term Thinking
Curiosity
Looking After Ourselves
Celebrating Good News
Conclusion: Pandora's Gift
Invitation
Acknowledgments
Endnotes
About the Author
About New Society Publishers