Podcast Summary
Reconnecting with Primal Energy and Nature: Through practices like yoga, meditation, and hands-on ancestral skills, we can heighten our confidence, awareness, and overall well-being by reconnecting with our primal energy and nature.
Modern humans, like domesticated animals, have lost touch with our primal energy and connection to nature. Mike Mortali, the founder of the Krupala School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership and author of "Rewilding," encourages us to reconnect with this energy through practices like yoga, meditation, and hands-on ancestral skills. By doing so, we can heighten our confidence, awareness, and overall well-being. Mike's background in yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, combined with his love for the outdoors and ancestral skills, led him to develop a unique philosophy of rewilding. This can be achieved through simple practices like walking barefoot in the woods or staring into a campfire, or more hands-on skills like making fire with a bow drill or building a wilderness shelter. Even if you live in the suburbs or city, there are small steps you can take to begin rewilding your life.
Reconnecting with our animal nature through rewilding: Rewilding is the practice of acknowledging our connection to nature and reclaiming our wildness to live in harmony with it, promoting mental and physical well-being and species survival.
Rewilding is about recognizing and reconnecting with our animal nature as human beings, which has been severed from us through modernization and urbanization. Rewilding is the practice of acknowledging that we are part of the natural world and that our senses, faculties, and intuition evolved in relationship to it. By spending more time outside and engaging with nature, we can reclaim our connection to the earth and rediscover the wisdom and benefits that come with it. This is important because the more disconnected we become from nature, the more lost we feel as a species. Rewilding is also about recognizing the limitations of modern life and the importance of balancing the benefits of technology and convenience with the need to stay connected to our natural roots. It's about going "feral" in a sense, reclaiming our wildness and living in harmony with nature once again.
Connecting with nature for spiritual and mental wellbeing: Engaging in nature through mindfulness, rewilding, and hands-on skills can restore spiritual and mental wellbeing. Approach these practices with awareness, gratitude, and reverence to deepen the connection.
Our connection with nature is essential for a fulfilling and meaningful life. Being indoors and disconnected from our natural habitat can lead to a sense of sadness or "domestication illness." Being outdoors and engaging in nature through practices like mindfulness, rewilding, and hands-on skills, can restore our spiritual and mental wellbeing. This tradition of connecting with nature through mindfulness and hands-on skills has a long history, dating back to figures like Henry David Thoreau. It's important to approach these practices with awareness, gratitude, and reverence to deepen our sense of connection. Ultimately, we are a part of the natural world, and engaging with it in a mindful and hands-on way allows us to fully embrace that connection.
Connecting with nature through hands-on skills: Engaging in hands-on nature practices fosters a deeper connection, stewardship, therapeutic benefits, and confidence.
Reconnecting with nature through hands-on skills and practices, such as making a fire or walking barefoot, can help people build a deeper connection to the environment and foster a sense of stewardship. This approach challenges the notion that human beings have only a negative impact on nature and instead encourages a partnership. These practices can also have therapeutic benefits, allowing individuals to observe timeless truths and find parallels between nature and their own lives. By engaging with nature in this way, people can gain confidence, bond with their surroundings, and ultimately become better advocates for the natural world.
Disconnecting from the earth through shoes: Walking barefoot can enhance sensory experiences, quiet movement, and deepen connection to nature.
Wearing shoes constantly creates a disconnect between our bodies and the natural world, specifically the earth. This disconnect can be felt on a sensory level and an electrical level. The speaker uses the example of a puppy never experiencing the feeling of walking on the ground without slippers as a way to illustrate this concept. They suggest starting with soft, easy walking surfaces, such as a well-established trail with a carpet of pine needles, for those who are new to walking barefoot. This practice can lead to a more sensory-rich experience, a quieter way of moving, and a deeper connection to nature. Additionally, historical and cultural references to barefoot or minimally-shod communities, such as Hobbits and indigenous cultures, further highlight the benefits of this practice.
Experience the magic of nature meditation: Nature meditation allows us to engage with the changing elements of nature, providing a refreshing contrast to focused meditation and tapping into our natural state.
Nature meditation offers a different experience compared to traditional, focused meditation practices. Instead of willfully holding attention on a single point, nature meditation encourages fascination with the natural environment. This can involve observing moving water, watching a fire, or simply feeling the ground beneath your feet. The changing, active elements of nature make it easier to become fully engaged and enter a meditative state. Nature meditation can provide a refreshing contrast to the mental fatigue caused by prolonged focus and can help us tap into our natural, hunter-gatherer state of being.
Connecting with nature through various practices: Observing clouds, sitting by a river or fire, and the sit-spot practice can deepen our connection with nature and foster mindfulness. Activities like gardening, hunting, or gathering can strengthen our bond with the land.
Connecting with nature through various meditative practices and developing a love for a specific place can lead to a deeper sense of mindfulness and enjoyment. Practices like observing clouds, sitting by a river or fire, and the sit-spot practice can help us focus on the present moment and deepen our connection with nature. Additionally, activities like gardening, hunting, or gathering can further strengthen our bond with the land by fostering a sense of exchange and intimacy with the environment. These practices can be effortless, enjoyable, and even life-changing.
Connecting to a place through nature, history, and ancient skills: Deepening our understanding of a place through observing nature, learning history, and mastering ancient skills can bring joy, belonging, and a deeper appreciation for the world around us
Deepening our connection to a particular place can bring profound joy and a sense of belonging. This can be achieved through simple practices like observing nature, learning about the history of the place, and even mastering ancient skills like building a fire. The process of struggling to learn these skills, and finally achieving success, can be a meditative and humbling experience that connects us to humanity and the natural world. By embracing the challenge and being present in the moment, we can find a deeper appreciation for the world around us and the rich history that precedes us.
Connecting with nature through traditional survival skills: Traditional survival skills like shelter building and animal tracking offer more than just survival; they provide a deep connection to nature, reducing life to essentials, and fostering gratitude and healing.
Learning traditional survival skills, such as shelter building and animal tracking, goes beyond just survival. It's about connecting with nature, reducing life to its bare essentials, and experiencing a deep sense of gratitude and healing. Tom Brown Jr. taught this approach, which was passed down from his Apache teacher, Stalking Wolf. Shelter building provides a sense of safety, comfort, and reassurance, transforming a wilderness into a home. Animal tracking, as a mindful practice, allows individuals to reconnect with wildlife and alleviate feelings of species loneliness. These skills offer more than just survival; they provide a unique and life-changing connection to nature.
Observing wildlife signs and connecting with nature: Connecting with nature through observing wildlife signs, feeling the earth, or following passions is a simple yet profound experience called rewilding.
Rewilding, or connecting with nature, can be a simple yet profound experience. It starts with observing the signs of wildlife and their habits in the environment. This could be as simple as noticing animal trails, or recognizing deer rubs on trees. By learning to read the "In the words of the speaker, 'the book of nature,'" we can gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world around us. For those who can't get out into nature as often as they'd like, small steps like taking off your shoes to feel the earth beneath you, or starting a small garden, can help bring nature into your daily life. Rewilding is about following your passions, whether that's gardening, basket weaving, or just sitting by a fire. It's an ongoing journey of discovery and connection with the natural world.
Connecting with nature for mental and emotional well-being: Incorporating nature-based practices like building a fire or attending rewilding programs can improve mental and emotional health. Try making time for these experiences regularly, whether at home or through programs like Cropalo Center. Visit mikeamortale.com or follow @micamortally for more info, and check out our show notes for resources.
Connecting with nature through practices like building a fire or taking part in rewilding programs can have a positive impact on mental and emotional well-being. Mike Mortale, author of the book "Rewilding," encourages people to make time for these experiences regularly, whether that's through attending his programs at Cropalo Center or simply spending time in nature at home. To learn more about Mike and his work, you can visit his website at mikeamortale.com or follow him on Instagram @micamortally. The book is also available on Amazon and in bookstores. Remember, putting what you've learned into action is key. Try incorporating small nature-based practices into your daily routine and see how they make a difference in your life. For more resources and in-depth information on this topic, check out our show notes at aom.is/rewilding. And don't forget to leave a review or rating for the Art of Manliness podcast to support the show.
