Cynthia Jurs ~ Summoned by the Earth

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In Summoned by the Earth, Cynthia Jurs embarks on a transformative journey sparked by an encounter with a Himalayan lama, who tasks her with distributing earth treasure vases to heal the planet. This odyssey takes her across the globe, connecting with diverse communities and ecosystems, from survivors of war in Liberia to indigenous elders in Australia and New Mexico. Along the way, she encounters inspiring individuals working towards solutions, culminating in a profound realization that the Earth's heart is everywhere. Through narratives of resilience and activism, the book urges readers to recognize their role as stewards of the Earth and embrace collective awakening to address the urgent challenges we face, offering a compelling call to become "sacred activists" in service to the planet.
Cynthia Jurs became a dharma teacher (Dharmacharya) in the Order of Interbeing of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and in 2018, was made an honorary lama in the Vajrayana tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in recognition of her dedication in carrying out the Earth Treasure Vase practice. Inspired by thirty years of pilgrimage into diverse communities and ecosystems, today Cynthia is forging a new path of dharma in service to Gaia-a path deeply rooted in the feminine, honouring indigenous cultures, and devoted to collective awakening. Cynthia leads meditations, retreats, courses, and pilgrimages to support the emergence of a global community of engaged and embodied sacred activists. She lives at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico where she is often found walking in the wilderness with her dog or gardening with her husband. You can find her offerings and join the global healing community at gaiamandala.net/

Praise for Summoned by the Earth:
"Lama Cynthia Jurs is, to me-and clearly to thousands of others-the embodiment of feminine wisdom. The particular wisdom stream that flows through her is precisely the water we need to save and sustain life on earth." -Mirabai Starr
"This is the story of a remarkable adventure that is underway in our time, beginning with one woman's question.Whatever power the Earth Treasure Vases possess to heal our broken world, the real miracle for me is what they awaken and inspire in virtually everyone who accepts the call to fill them with prayer and place them within our larger body, the sacred living body of Earth." -Joanna Macy
"We need fearless impresarios of magic faith like Cynthia Jurs, who work steadfastly to dissolve our collective callousness, and to replenish the mystery that binds the human heart to the heart of the world." -David Abram
"Summoned by the Earth is a spiritual adventure story of dedication and courage. I found it simply wonderous how the ritual of planting these small vases creates a magical communion and generates inspired blessings in communities across the world." -Jack Kornfield
"Cynthia Jurs’ subtle, brave, nakedly written impassioned book Summoned by the Earth challenges us all to listen to the Earth crying and act urgently. Seekers and sacred activists of all kinds will learn a great deal from this humble master of truth and from how she worked to honor her own unique assignment against extreme odds." -Andrew Harvey
"I have known Cynthia as my sister in the Dharma for nearly forty years. She was one of the first Western lay Dharma teachers to be ordained by Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. In Summoned by the Earth, Cynthia shares her adventures following a simple quest to reconnect with Mother Earth and bring healing to our world. Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings on building community and bringing the spiritual dimension into our actions reverberate throughout Cynthia's marvelous tale." -Sister Chân Không
"This beautiful book by author and Buddhist teacher Cynthia Jurs is a powerful rendering of a life, a path, a vision, and a mission. The story that Cynthia tells is a treasure vase itself." -Roshi Joan Halifax
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