'Recovery of the Heart' inspires dialogue
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 29, 2012
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Stephanie B. Tansey, author of "Recovery of the Heart," speaks at a book talk at the Bookworm in Beijing on Sept. 19, 2012. [China.org.cn / Photo courtesy of New World Press] |
Stephanie B. Tansey, who recently published her first book "Recovery of the Heart," told China.org.cn in an exclusive interview how Chinese people can create sustainable urban environment and at the same time reconnect with nature.
"Recovery of the Heart: Dialogues with People Working Towards a Sustainable Beijing," published by New World Press, is a book that takes a closer look at nine people and their concerted efforts to make a difference in Beijing.
During her Sept. 19 book launch at Beijing's famous bar-slash-library the Bookworm, author Tansey, also director of the Earth Charter Communities Network (ECCN), shed a light on theongoing dialogue between the Chinese and international communities on how to create sustainable cities. Tansey was joined in the discussion by the protagonists in her book.
Tansey explained that the ECCN mission is to help people create lasting sustainable ways of living for themselves and their communities through the creation and improvement of their conversational skills. In Beijing, the network is currently teaching its method to Beijing Normal University graduate students in the Geography Department. They want them to help their students reconnect with nature.
In her book, Tansey introduces nine extraordinary Beijing residents and their struggles and passions. She lets them explain why Chinese insights and values are interconnected with the future of a sustainable Beijing, explaining why a dialogue from the heart is the only way to build a sustainable society in the city.
Tansey told China.org.cn on Sept. 25 that if this book can help people connect and create a dialogue, her goal would be accomplished. "I am a teacher of conversational skills. A dialogue connects people," she said, "'Ordinary people don't know how extraordinary they really are. They are the energy of the city – why? Because there are so many of them and they expend energy to live. I chose nine of them but there are many more."
"I think the Chinese can learn to trust each other if only they can use the practice of becoming 'junzi' (gentleman).They often assume they cannot become junzi, but Confucius said that anyone can and I agree. This takes self-mastery, which is the key to the art of dialogue too," She said, "Connecting to nature will help them become junzi too. Chinese should have reawakened their symbiotic relationship with nature and society a long time ago. They just forgot about all these things because of the Cultural Revolution and today's materialist culture. But it can be revived. "
Tansey chose her nine protagonists for different reasons. For example, she chose Mac Fan because he helps others live wisely and the Little Donkey Farm because they act like a single entity and so make a good model for a sustainable society.
"I hope everyone who reads the book can find someone that inspires him or her," she said.
The other people she wrote about in the book include expat Jim Spear because he talks the talk; Yang Ke, who creates a public voice; Zhang Zhimin, who blends together modern and ancient, man and nature; Betsy Damon, who shows that life only thrives where there is water; Wang Zhiqin, who connects with nature through her morning exercises; and finally then Yang Jing, who connects through communicating with the wind.
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