Micah Mortali knew he had to do something. The wilderness expert and 15-year Kripalu staffer who founded the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership in 2018 increasingly saw people who were disconnected from nature, disconnected from their true inner desires, and overly stressed from endless technology.

People now spend more than 90% of their time indoors and an average of 11 hours a day on devices. The more time you spend on a device, the more disconnected you become from the place where you live, explains Mortali. This is called “place blindness,” and it’s increased dramatically in the past 12 years since the introduction of the smartphone. Today, fewer and fewer people have a connection with nature and the land.

In response, Mortali, who has been leading wilderness retreats for 20 years, wrote Rewilding: Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature (published by Sounds True), which will be launched at a book signing on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Scott Barrow Photography Gallery from 6-8 p.m.

He lives in Pittsfield, Mass. with his wife and three children. Mortali recently spoke to Rural Intelligence about his new book.

Why did you write the book?

I grew up in rural Connecticut amid the woods, and I developed a sensitivity to the land. I’ve had it in me since I was 18. It feels good to finally get it out. Writing this book is my offering. The book is dedicated to the children of 2229, which is seven generations from now.

What do you mean by rewilding?

I see human rewilding — which is about opening yourself to a relationship with nature and connecting with the great web of life that surrounds you — as the next step in our evolution. Part of rewilding is connecting to the earth through your physical senses. Just the simple act of walking barefoot on the earth is a way to do this. One man told me he hadn’t touched the earth with his bare feet in 20 years.

We’re living sedentary lives indoors with screens and we’ve lost our connection to the natural world. It’s like an animal in captivity… how can you feel joyful? When you’re outside in nature you’re in a sensory-rich environment; you feel the chill of the wind, you hear the call of the hawks, you see the leaves rustling on the trees — this is what makes you feel alive. You don’t get that if you’re sitting in a cubicle under fluorescent lights typing on a screen.

You say we have a “life-force deficit.” Can you tell me about that?

Human beings didn’t evolve to sit at a desk for eight hours hunched over a computer screen. The way we’re living — our lifestyle — doesn’t foster wellness for ourselves or the planet. Instead of connecting with nature and our inner self, people are connecting with the video on their phone. One thing I encourage participants at Kripalu to do is to spend time outside with no agenda — no phone or devices or exercising — just spend time outdoors in nature with yourself, taking in the sights and sounds with your senses.

What can we do to help preserve the earth?

Ask yourself: How are you living your life day-to-day?

The earth is a living, breathing system and your well being is intricately connected to the planet. You are made of the planet. Your body is made of the same molecules that make up the planet: oxygen, carbon, water. The air you’re breathing now was on the other side of the planet a few days ago. The oxygen that you’re inhaling is the oxygen that the trees exhale. And the trees inhale the carbon dioxide that you’re exhaling. Where there’s pollution on the planet, it’s in you, too.

Just like you can feel nature’s presence when you’re in it, nature can also feel your presence. The question is: How can you make the earth healthier by your presence instead of the other way around? It’s the mindfulness that you bring to your actions that matters and makes a difference. When you consciously connect with the living earth, you’re no longer at war with the life systems that support you; instead you become their caretaker.

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Written by
Robin Fasano