THE GREENING OF THE SELF

Vivienne Elanta 12021131

Critical Thinking Essay

S 206 Aidan Davison

Central to Joanna Macy’s thesis (1993) is what she sees as the emergence of the greening of the self. She says “the notion of the self with which we have been raised and to which we have been conditioned by mainstream culture is being undermined”(p183) and is “being replaced by wider constructs of identity and self- interest”(p183). She suggests our current conventional understanding of the self is limited to a narrow ego-self, which has a very strong need for approval and self-preservation. The ecological self on the other hand extends beyond the ego-self, “co-extensive with other beings and the life of our planet”. The process of this extension she calls “the greening of the self”(183).

She gives three main reasons in support of her thesis. First, she presents the reader with the idea that the ecological self is born directly out of the current environmental, social and spiritual crisis we are collectively facing. Second, she argues that understanding of this self is emerging through general system theory, which teaches that the web of life is self-organising and interdependent, and that ultimately there is no recognisable separation between the self and the other. Lastly she points to the resurgence of what she refers to as “non-dualistic spiritualities”(p185). She gives an example from Buddhism, that of the dependent co-arising of phenomena, “in which you cannot isolate a separate, continuous self”(p189).

Joanna Macy’s thesis stands on solid ground, as I can personally testify to the emergence of the ecological self, a phenomenon, which is occurring in myself. I have witnessed this metamorphosis from the small self into this larger self in a growing number of people, as they become involved in the wellbeing and enhancing of all life. I agree that the ego-self has no interest or loyalty beyond its own “skin” and the effects of its self-absorbtion can be witnessed through the degradation and annihilation of out ecological world.

I strongly agree with her supporting reasons because, like Macy, I also believe that the current ecological crisis “derives from a dysfunctional and pathological notion of the self.” General systems thinking informs us that everything is in a constant flow of matter, energy and information. Therefore, it makes sense that a “skin encapsulated ego”(183) cannot be anything else but dysfunctional, because the ego thrives on separation. Creatures that isolate themselves from the flow of life eventually die.

In order to have a future, humans will need to give birth to their ecological self. My question is how will six billion people tune in fast enough to bring about such a shift in consciousness. We could be too late, but then, who knew that the Berlin wall would come down so suddenly. For me the issue is about greening of the self, irrespective of any outcomes. Faced with the current ecological predicament it is a truly meaningful thing to do.

In conclusion, Joanna Macy’s “greening of the self” is a powerful argument, which I believe is pivotal in the next stage of the evolution of Homo sapiens. Without such a leap forward we will choke to death from the smog, the greed, terror, hate and loneliness of spirit produced by our shrivelled sense of self. Macy not only offers the theory, but also gives us the toolsⁱ for such a transformation from the ego-self towards an eco-self, and that is more than most can offer.

REFERENCE:

Macy, Joanna (1993) ‘The Greening of the Self’ from Macy, Joanna, World as Love World as Self, Random House, London

i Joanna Macy’s “Coming Back to Life: Practices to Reconnect our Lives, Our Word” (1998, New Society Publ., Canada) provides practices, rituals and meditations for individuals and groups within a framework to nurture the ecological self.