A Wonder Beyond Words: A Tribute to Joanna Macy, Part 1

To be alive in this beautiful, self-organizing universe - to participate in the dance of life with senses to perceive it, lungs that breathe it, organs that draw nourishment from it – is a wonder beyond words. – Joanna Macy

I first read these words more than 30 years ago posted outside the changing room at the World Yoga Center. I remember thinking, Wow! What a way to live!  New to yoga and to spiritual life altogether, Joanna’s words sparked something revelatory within me: a thrilling vision of what it could mean to be truly alive - and the possibility that simply my existence was cause for wonder and reverence.

In the years that followed, yoga became my path to awakening this vision. Through the practices, I cultivated the presence of mind that allowed me to recognize that, no matter what else was going on my life, gratitude for the gift of life itself could be a source of strength and nourishment.  I began to understand that my body and mind weren't adversaries to be overcome, but exquisite expressions of life's intelligence – worthy of care, respect, and celebration.

The practices cultivated within me the presence of mind to see that at any time, I could turn to gratitude for the gift of life itself as a source of strength and nourishment. I began to understand that my body and mind weren't adversaries to be overcome, but exquisite expressions of life's intelligence – worthy of care, respect, and celebration.

Decades later, I discovered the Work That Reconnects and the broader body of Joanna's teachings. Her work has helped me - and countless others -  foster the courage, hopefulness, and tenacity needed to take part in the healing of our world. 

As I write this, Joanna, now 96, is in the final days of her extraordinary life. Reflecting on what I've learned from her; this early insight stands out as especially meaningful: the recognition that gratitude isn't dependent on external circumstances – it’s a way of seeing, an orientation we can choose to adopt at any moment. 

One of the most reliable ways I’ve found to do this is by turning inward and remembering that to be alive in this beautiful, self-organizing universe is indeed a wonder beyond words.

Lately, I've been leaning into this awareness even more fully. And it’s working. Even on days when I feel most shaken by the crises unfolding around us, I can come back to the simple awareness of my breath, my body, and glimpse the miracle of being alive on this planet. It feels grounding – like a bedrock of truth I can rest in, no matter what else is happening.

When I spent time with Joanna earlier this year, it was clear that she lived from this place of seeing the world, herself, and others through the eyes of wonder and appreciation.

Now, as her magnificent life draws to a close, I find myself grounding in gratitude – for the mystery of life itself, for Joanna’s life and legacy, and for all the great teachers throughout time whose compassion, generosity, and wisdom continue light our way.

A Simple Practice to Cultivate Wonder

Joanna's teaching invites us to cultivate this foundation of gratitude and wonder. Here's a simple practice you can try:

• Take a moment right now to close your eyes and feel your breath moving in and out. Notice the miracle of your lungs drawing life from the air, your heart beating without your conscious effort, your senses alive and perceiving.
• Let yourself feel the wonder of simply being here, part of a beautiful, self-organizing universe.
• Rest in this awareness for a few breaths. This sense of wonder and gratitude is always available to you – a bedrock you can return to whenever you need grounding.