cover image Interconnected: Living Fully in a Global Society

Interconnected: Living Fully in a Global Society

Ogyen Trinley Dorje. Wisdom, $25.95 (272p) ISBN 978-1-61429-412-2

Dorje (The Heart Is Noble), the contested 17th Karmapa and head of the Kagyu Buddhist lineage, provides lucid teachings on seeing, feeling, and living interdependence in the contemporary world. Though the world is increasingly defined by globalization and extensive networks of digital technologies, the Karmapa writes, from an individual’s perspective it can be surprisingly easy to forget how interconnected human beings are. He asserts that all beings are equal in their wish to be happy and to be free from suffering, and that it is in light of this basic fact that interdependence and current inequalities should be understood. Insight into interdependence can be accomplished through three steps: seeing (an intellectual, observational analysis), feeling (developing emotional awareness and changes of heart), and living (seeing responsibility as opportunity for compassionate action). He comments thoughtfully on topics such as climate damage, economic inequality, and social media to showcase the multifaceted ways one is embedded in interdependent relationships. Through accessible observations on contemporary situations, he skillfully incorporates the Buddhist teaching on the three marks of existence: impermanence, suffering, and non-self. The Karmapa’s newest may cover familiar subjects, but is a nuanced, subtle, and rich contemplation on lived interdependence, providing a striking example of compassion and wisdom. (Feb.)