Re-wilding our Nervous System for Connection with Jon Young
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In today’s fast-paced world, many of us feel a deep longing for connection—something more meaningful than fleeting digital interactions or brief chats over coffee. Despite technological advancements, the sense of being truly connected to ourselves, each other, and the natural world has become increasingly elusive. It’s as if, somewhere along the way, we’ve lost a vital thread that once bound us to the rhythm of life. This blog explores the evolution of nature connection, cultural resilience, and the power of mentorship, inspired by an incredible conversation with nature connection leader Jon Young for the Connection Matters Podcast.
Find the link to the full episode below.
The Biology of Belonging
Nature connection is not frivolous or just an extra bonus in our modern life; it’s embedded in our biology. Long before the rise of urban environments and the digital age, human beings lived in intimate relationship with the earth, guided by the rhythms of the seasons, animal tracks, and shared rituals. These routines weren’t simply for survival—they created a deep sense of belonging, embedding a state of connection within our nervous systems that we rarely access any more.
As modern society drifted away from these practices, a shift occurred—not just culturally but biologically. The nervous system, once attuned to bird song and the rustle of leaves, has become overwhelmed by noise, screens, and isolation. Many of us feel this disconnection, even if we can’t quite name it—a sense that something essential has slipped through our grasp. Reconnecting with nature isn’t just about spending time outdoors; it’s about rewiring our nervous systems, re-learning how to be in tune with the world and the wisdom of our senses.
Culture as Medicine
Culture, in its essence, is a living, breathing force that holds the power to heal and bind people together. Rather than simply being a set of traditions or customs, culture is the practice of creating spaces where people feel they belong—to the land, to one another, and to future generations. This concept of culture as a dynamic medicine is essential for reconnecting people with themselves and the world around them.
For example, community gatherings—whether it’s coming together to celebrate, to dance, to share stories, or honour seasonal changes or different life stages—offer a chance to realign with the rhythms of life. Such gatherings create ripple effects, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends the individual and regenerates the collective. It’s not about recreating ancient ways for the sake of nostalgia but rather about reviving practices that have the power to pull us back into harmony with life’s natural rhythms.
Wisdom Carried Through Generations
At the heart of deep connection lies mentorship, where wisdom is passed down and lived, not simply inherited as a concept. This kind of mentorship can be seen in the traditions of indigenous cultures, such as the teaching shared by the renowned author, spiritual leader and founder of the Tracker School, Tom Brown Jnr who learnt from Apache Elder, Grandfather Stalking Wolrf. Or from the San Bushmen of the Kalahari who Jon has also spent much time with over the past decades. The San people also known as the Hnaro, have survived and thrived through generations of cultural resilience. These communities embody a deep understanding of their environment, and their practices are not just ways of life but blueprints for survival, connection, and joy.Jon also speaks of his collaboration with anthropologist Miles Holmes, who works with Aboriginal communities in Australia. The mission? To create, “RGP’s” - Really Good People” by reviving cultural practices that foster community, competence, and deep connection.
Mentorship extends beyond imparting knowledge—it’s about embodying values, creating legacies, and living them in everyday actions. Stories of elders guiding the young, from grandmothers to revered cultural leaders, remind us that the power of mentorship lies in its ability to ground us, provide perspective, and root us in a broader narrative that transcends our individual lives.
Rewilding the Human Spirit
In reconnecting with nature, there’s an opportunity to tap into something far deeper than simply spending time outdoors. It’s about rewilding the human spirit—embracing a deeper sensory awareness and returning to an ancient sense of belonging. This is not about romanticising the past but about recognising that the pulse of nature still runs through us. Our bodies and spirits are still tuned to nature’s rhythms, and rewilding is about reactivating that connection.
Experiences with indigenous communities highlight how sensory awareness can transform lives. Observing wildlife, such as tracking fresh footprints in the sand, is not just an act of discovery but a reminder that every being has its place and purpose and there is so much to be learnt from each other. This sense of unity, of moving in harmony with the natural world, reminds us that connection isn’t something we must create from scratch—it’s something we can remember and reawaken.
Contagious Curiosity: The Role of Mentorship
Curiosity is a powerful, contagious force. When people come alive with curiosity, it can spread, igniting passion and leading to deeper, more meaningful connections. Rather than teaching or imposing knowledge, true mentorship involves meeting people where they are, coaxing out their natural curiosity, and guiding them through their unique process of discovery. This approach can turn the act of learning into a deeply connective, shared experience.
Tools like bird language which Jon Young has made unbelievably accessible in his amazing book- What the Robin knows- or nature-based sensory integration practices can deepen this awareness and connection. For instance, Jon tells a story where, occupational therapist Kathleen Lockyer has used bird language to help children with sensory processing disorders. Such approaches demonstrate that when curiosity and passion are sparked, they can be transformative, creating ripples of connection that go beyond the individual, benefiting communities and ecosystems alike.
Finding Our Way Back: A Path of Practice
The journey of reconnection is not just a theoretical or abstract idea; it’s a path that can be walked. It’s accessible to anyone willing to tune into their senses and open themselves to the world around them. Connection is not something reserved for those living off the grid or immersed in ancient ways—it’s an everyday practice, available in our own lives.
Practical Steps Towards Connection
Reclaim Your Senses: Start with simple practices like noticing the natural sounds and textures around you—whether that’s birdsong, the rustle of leaves, or the feel of earth beneath your feet. Let these sensory experiences ground you in the present moment.
Tune into the Sacred Questions: What happened here?, What is this telling me?, What is this telling me on a deeper level?, How can this help me?, How can this help me to help other? (Learn more from Jon Young or in Cultural Emergence).
Create Shared Rituals: Bring friends, family, or community members together for meals, storytelling, or nature-based activities. The act of gathering, sharing food, and being present with each other cultivates a sense of belonging and connection.
Engage in Mentorship: Whether it’s learning from those who inspire you or offering your own knowledge and support to others, mentorship builds reciprocal relationships that strengthen our connections with ourselves, each other, and the world.
Jon runs amazing training in Deep Nature Connection at www.livingconnection1st.net
He also works with amazing visionary leader Looby Macnamara and myself facilitating online Cultural Emergence programmes. www.cultural-emergence.com
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Conclusion
The call to reconnect is a call to remember—to remember our innate connection with the earth, each other, and the wisdom of those who came before us. It’s about integrating these threads of connection into our modern lives and finding ways to bring them alive in our everyday experiences. If you want to delve deeper into these ideas and hear more stories and insights from Jon Young, tune into the full episode of Rewilding Our Nervous System for Connection on Connection Matters here. It’s a rich conversation that explores the pathways back to nature, the art of mentoring, and how we can all play a role in weaving the fabric of connection in our lives.It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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