Acknowledgments

We give thanks to the Earth, the land, the oceans, the forests and fields, and all the animals who live there, for guiding us on how to be in healthy relation with ourselves and all beings.

We express our deepest gratitude to the elders, the keepers of knowledge and wisdom, who have throughout their lives gathered, preserved, and shared the insights we live by and draw upon today: Pema Chödrön, Reverend Master Jishõ Perry, Elihu Genmyo Smith, Thích Nhất Hạnh, Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, and Mary Oliver, among many others. Thank you also to all those who have showed us how to read and interpret the book of nature, the trackers and naturalists Tom Brown Jr., Nate Harvey, Mike Kessler, George Leoniak, Jim Lowery, Bill Marple, Sue Morse, Paul Rezendes, and Jon Young.

A special thanks to our families who supported us through the multiyear journey of writing this book and to our friends, students, and colleagues, particularly Jed and Dave, who were there when the stories within unfolded. Thank you, Laura and Brenna, for sharing in the creation of this book and for the faith in us to make it happen.

To the many people who helped this book become a reality we are eternally grateful. From offering reflections on rough drafts to formatting text and footnotes, writing testimonials, knocking on publishers’ doors on our behalf, and otherwise cheering us on, your numbers are many: Richard Louv, Lang Elliot, Dawn Mauricio, Don Rakow, Fae Dremock, Megan Shull, Clare Ulrich, Melissa Groo, Anna Salamone, and Sarah Grossman, to name a few! Your support and efforts strengthened our book and brought it into the light.

This book would not be the same without the art and poetry that speak to the heart of our writing. To Zoe Miller, our friend, former student, and artist extraordinaire, thank you for the art that brings the book to life. To the poets who graciously let us include their poems that inspire, uplift, and invite us into wise action, Danna Faulds, Laura Foley, Martha Postlewaite, and Hannah Stephenson, we offer our heartfelt gratitude.

We extend our gratitude also to Kitty Liu for seeing the importance of this work and shepherding it through the publication process, as well as to the entire publication team at Cornell University Press.

Finally, many thanks to you, dear readers, for embarking on the journey that is this book. For being mindful of where and how you place your attention and the paths you choose to walk in this life. For looking at the world around and within you with a kind and curious bent toward what is unfolding moment by moment.