We have become indoor beings far removed from the natural world, and our modern technologies have altered our lives so far away from how we for millions of years evolved to live. Can we rewild this domesticated version of ourselves and rediscover our life affirming connection with nature for the mutual benefit of humans and the planet?
Micah Mortali shares insights from his book Rewilding, Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature.
We talk bout reconnecting people to the natural world, and how rewilding is an attempt to come back to who we really are. Coming back to our roots.
In our past we humans were for the most part outside, and connected to our natural surroundings. We had a dynamic, alive relationship with the oceans, the lakes, the streams, the hills, the seasons the trees and our food sources. For most of our history we we were connected to the 5 senses and beyond, and much has been lost by this radical shift in living circumstances.
When we talk about rewilding, we are not talking about a wildness that is out of control, we’re talking about aliveness and about the awe-factor. We are also talking about slowing down, and just being present and mindful of what we are doing and the beauty of every moment.
Mindfulness increases awe and curiosity, and our sense of the mystery, the wonder and the magic in life.
Micah tells us how many of us suffer from life force deficit. And we dive into what the life force is: the ki, the prana or the Great Spirit. And how our ancestors talked about and knew this force very well. We speak about the notion, that there is more lifeforce in natural surroundings, by waterfalls, by the ocean, or in the forest. And of course Japanese forestbathing gets mentioned
From his own experience Micah also tells us about doing lots of yoga and pranayama inside a building and then walking outside into nature, and being almost overwhelmed by how much lifeforce he was open to.
We evolved to be in dynamic relationship with the natural elements. Not to live inside temperature controlled houses, he says, and furthermore elaborates on how we have been removed from our natural habitat. And how this can make us suffer both mentally and physically.
Its an illusion that we can live cut off from nature, he says. We can’t live without clean water clean air and clean food! He also believes, that we are going through a profound time of transformation now, and maybe we can turn to nature to inspire and teach us how to move forward.
Now many of our technologies are man over nature instead of man with nature, but there is a lot of good technology, medicines and so on, but we are not a happy bunch, so something is missing. We do need to find a new balance with nature.
Micah tells us how he enjoys exploring his Celtic roots, The Oak king, the Holly king, and the Goddess, the spirit of the forest and the deer. He talks about how there was an intimacy, a reciprocity and nourishment in the way they lived. It’s an inquiry, and a journey to connect to our ancestral ways and practices.
Being open to what the land has to offer, can be life changing, and he quotes Lakota elder, Luther standing bear: “a lack of respect for green growing things soon leads to a lack of respect for people too”.
We speak about how separated we are from the sources of our food. The taking of life for us to eat has lost its original meaning. How we take things for granted, and loose the reverence, respect and reciprocity with all life.
Our hearts can become cold and hard when we are removed from nature is also a frase from the wise Dakota elder, and Micah compares that to dart wade, just being wrapped in cold, hard technology.
Micah Mortalis website: www.micahmortali.com
My website: www.duritaholm.com