When cultural historian and spiritual ecologist Thomas Berry, described by Newsweek magazine as “the most provocative figure among the new breed of eco-theologians,” passed away in 2009 at age 94, he left behind a dream of healing the “Earth community.” In his numerous lectures, books, and essays, Berry proclaimed himself as scholar of the earth, a “geologian,” and diligently advocated for a return to Earth-based spirituality.

This anthology presents 10 essays from leading philosophers, scientists, and spiritual visionaries – including Matthew Fox, Joanna Macy, Dwayne Elgin, Sean Esbjörn-Hargens, Ervin Laszlo, and Alan Combs – on the genius of Berry’s work and his quest to resolve our global ecological and spiritual challenges, as well as a little-known but essential essay by Berry himself. Revealing Berry’s insights as far ahead of their time, these essays reiterate the radical nature of his ideas and the urgency of his most important conclusion: that money and technology cannot solve our problems; rather, we must re-establish the indigenous connection with universal consciousness and return to our fundamental spontaneous nature – still evident in our dreams – in order to navigate our ecological challenges successfully.