Summary

In the introduction, "Between the Body and the Breathing Earth," Abram introduces his ideas for the coming pages. The book "seeks a new way of speaking," a better communication between humans and the earth (3). He poses a series of questions related to encounters and conversations with animals and the land (4). Rather than "a definitive statement," Abram’s book is a "series of experimental...forays" (8).

In "Shadow (Depth Ecology I)," Abram gives directions for a walk through the woods. On the way, the hiker sees aspens and hawks. A breeze cools and thickens the air. The hiker has walked under a mountain’s shadow.

It is foolish to think "that shadows are flat" (15). Abram describes his shadow. When a bee passes him, it moves into shade, illustrating the multi-dimensionality of his shadow. Shadows are birthed "afresh every dawn" (17). Alternatively, the shadow lives inside...