Joanna Macy Passed Away July 19, 2025

On Sunday, July 20, I visited the wake of the wonderful teacher, Joanna Macy in her home in Berkeley, CA. She was a good friend of Thay and she will be terribly missed.

The wake was quite. I first entered the living room where people were sitting and singing beautiful spiritual songs like we might hear in Plum Village. I sat and listened for about 20-30 minutes and then went into her bedroom where she rested in peace. The look on her face was serene and unforgettable. Like other people, I offered flower petals on her body and touched her right knee. Then I went into the back yard and had a few berries. I wrote a note on the gratitude board and soon did my walking meditation practice in here neighborhood.

During my walk, I encountered three beautiful giant redwood trees that had mess up the sidewalk and the street. I probably should have taken a photo.

May she rest in peace!

Joanna Macy, pioneering Buddhist scholar and visionary activist, died on July 19 at the age of 96. A root teacher of the Work That Reconnects, Joanna helped thousands move through despair into empowered action for the Earth through her workshops, teachings, and books. Joanna’s teachings wove deep ecology and Buddhist philosophy into a transformative path of collective awakening. A longtime friend of Spirit Rock, Joanna led many of our Earth Day and ecological events. We honor Joanna’s extraordinary legacy and the vast web of people around the world who carry her work forward. Read a moving tribute by the Work That Reconnects team and share your reflections HERE.