From Daily Vows and Active Hope Course

On the last afternoon of a two-week intensive workshop of The Work That Reconnects, Joanna was out walking and met a young monk from the retreat center hosting the event. “Well,” he said, “I expect now on your last day you’ll be giving people vows.” Joanna told him that wasn’t something she did. “Pity,” he said. “I find, in my own life, vows so very helpful.

Continuing on her walk, Joanna looked at her hand and thought that if we were to have vows, they should not number more than the fingers and thumb of one hand. Almost immediately, the following five vows came to her:

I vow to myself and each of you

To commit myself daily to the healing of our world
and the welfare of all beings.

To live on Earth more lightly and less violently
in the food, products and energy I consume.

To draw strength and guidance from the living Earth,
the ancestors, the future beings,
and my brothers and sisters of all species.

To support each other in our work for the world
and to ask for help when I feel the need.

To pursue a daily practice that clarifies my mind,
strengthens my heart and supports me in observing these vows.

From Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone, Chapter 11: Building Support around You.