Michael Brownstein is a poet and the author of three novels: Country Cousins, Self-Reliance, and The Touch. He has taught literature and writing at the University of Colorado, Naropa Institute and Columbia University. As a result of his involvement in the anti-globalization movement he wrote World on Fire, from which he has read widely at conferences and universities, including at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in South Africa and the World Social Forum in Brazil.

Michael is also a Buddhist. For him, political awareness and awareness of nature of mind are essentially the same. In "Killing the Madman," published in Arthur magazine (March, 2005) he discusses how to deal with the outrage and indignation many of us feel. Staying present means remaining aware of what we experience without becoming lost in reactivity. We are the source of our emotions -- not Monsanto or WalMart. Realizing this gives us the space to create a sane world.

He has trained in core shamanism with Michael Harner and Tom Cowan as well as with indigenous healers in South America. Shamanic work has become part of his daily life. Journeying to the spirit realm, he set aside time to heal Dick Cheney's heart (healingdick.com)because he believes simple protest won't change what is basically a demonic intrusion into our lives. The murderous, out-of-control behavior afflicting us worldwide has to be dealt with spiritually as well.