An earnest, urgent plea. Most people, however, feel helpless to do anything about this self-accelerating apocalypse, which is simultaneously climatic, environmental and sociopolitical--a vortex spinning out of control, all around us, like a Category 4 hurricane. And so we all tend to retreat into comfortable shells of denial or the psychic numbing of abject despair.

The only path forward I can see begins with learning the timeless disciplines of meditation, contemplation, and prayer--breathing, observing, and letting go--within whatever traditions sustain us and offer mutual support. And with the inner resilience and compassion gained thereby, we can step out into the ravaged world to do good work--to grow gardens, grow community, and grow awareness, right where we are, no matter what...