Widening Circles is the life story of one of this era's most revered environmental and spiritual leaders. Joanna Macy is one of those rare people who, in the words of a Rilke poem, can genuinely claim to “live my life in widening circles / that reach out across the world.” Spanning a period of enormous change, Macy’s life ranges from the steely centre of the Cold War to the heart of tumultuous transition in Africa, India, and Tibet. Absorbing the key currents of spiritual and intellectual life, she transformed them into a unique and powerful synthesis that will have relevance for decades to come.

“This account of a spiritual life will undoubtedly become a classic. This is no airbrushed memoir but a deep exploration of how a soul is formed – which makes the book all the more compelling.” – Susan Griffin, author of What Her Body Thought

“Joanna Macy’s rich life story traces her journey into an engaged spirituality that spans both meditative practice and political activism. From the mountain heights of Tibet to the depths of jail, she exemplifies the courage, passion, and compassion needed to transform the world.” – Starhawk, author of The Spiral Dance and The Fifth Sacred Thing

“A gem for all young people seeking to create a life of meaning, passion, and purpose. Joanna Macy is a woman who will help to light our path for generations to come.” – Michele & Ocean Robbins, Executive Director and Founder, Youth for Environmental Sanity

Joanna Macy is an internationally renowned activist, speaker and teacher on Buddhist philosophy, systems theory and deep ecology. The author of seven previous books, she lives in Berkely, California.