Spiritual Activism

Many people who work to change our politics or economics come to realise the deeper, spiritual underpinnings of their work, yet don’t know how to articulate it, even to themselves. This book offers a brave, bold and very timely guide to doing just that. If you think you want to change the world, you need to read it. -- Paul Kingsnorth of The Dark Mountain Project
This is a book with a deep river of wisdom running through it; I know that I will be returning to it often. -- Gabrielle Lewry
Having tried everything else, it is now time to add spirit exercised with discipline, going to the heart of the matter where wholeness, healing, and Holy converge. Highly recommended. -- Professor David W. Orr of Oberlin College, author of Down to the Wire
If we wish to engage effectively and for the long run in this world full of wounds, for our efforts for Earth and Justice to be truly sustainable, it behoves us to take great care of our psychological and spiritual wellbeing. This book provides us with an important tool for the journey. -- John Seed, Australian deep ecologist and founder of the Rainforest Information Centre
To my fellow activists, even the most sceptical, I insist read this excellent book and learn some vital lessons from the most successful and longest lasting social movements in history. -- George Marshall, founder of the Climate Outreach Information Network.
Ever since the first Gulf War in 1991, Alastair McIntosh has stood in solidarity with our community to strengthen interfaith relationships. I warmly welcome the recognition in Spiritual Activism that true Islam can contribute to human rights, justice and peace for all in today’s world. -- Dr Bashir Maan, first elected Muslim politician in the UK and past-President of Glasgow Central Mosque
Nuclear disarmament, as this thoughtful book suggests, is more than a matter of dismantling the weapons. We must also dismantle our minds and hearts to change our current ideas of true security. -- Bruce Kent, Vice President of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
For any of us who find that the spiritual moment flows from the practical, that prayer (or song, or silence) refreshes on the knife-edge of activism, this book will be an invaluable resource and inspiration. It addresses questions of power, leadership and accountability with honesty, insight and wisdom, and speaks with humanity and humour on the importance of community in human development. -- Rev Kathy Galloway, first woman Leader of the Iona Community
Can we somehow manage to act both rightly and effectively? McIntosh and Carmichael have carefully studied the obstacles that have always made this look so hard. Their careful, sober reasoning and their case studies, reveal a map that leads the right way. -- Dr Mary Midgley, philosopher
With its clarion call that spirituality is central to activism, this is truly a book for our age, challenging the preconceptions of most activists, let alone those who still see spirituality solely as ‘an inner journey. -- Sir Jonathan Porritt, first chair of the UK government’s Sustainable Development Commission
This book itself is a spiritual journey, with a grounding in psychology, history and theology. It helps us to explore how we can bring our deepest values into action at this crucial time for the world! -- Starhawk, author of The Spiral Dance and The Empowerment Manual
The word brilliant is overused, but it genuinely applies to Spiritual Activism. No other book brings together social change theory with insights from psychology and spirituality like this book does. -- Brian D. McLaren, speaker, activist and author of We Make the Road by Walking
This is a refreshing and heartening book. It inspires positive action with a rich and skilful integration of spiritual philosophies, psychology and case studies of great activists. -- Katrina Shields, author of In the Tiger’s Mouth