Today I speak with Dr Matthew Zylstra, a systems ecologist passionate about deepening the human-nature relationship for the flourishing of people and planet.

With an MSc in Environmental Science (2005) and PhD in Conservation Ecology & Sustainability Education (2014), his doctorate research explored how meaningful nature experiences and nature connectedness motivate pro-environmental behaviour and regenerative leadership. 

Drawing upon his 20 years of international experience in social-ecological research and outdoor education, Matthew’s publications have informed global initiatives and university curricula.

Currently the Programme Director with the Kwendalo Institute, Matthew is also Scientific Advisor to NatureFix, and is a Research Fellow with the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University. For more on Matthew’s past research and current endeavours, you can check out earthcollective.net 

SUMMARY

In this conversation, we touch on nature connection, the power of mystical experience and how this can bring a deeper meaning to our lives. We explore the idea that humanity is facing a reckoning with its relationship with one another and the Earth, and discuss the fragmentation and desensitization of the human psyche, particularly in relation to technology and the attention economy.

Matt talks about the NatureFix app, which aims to make nature connection more accessible and encourages engagement with the natural world, and we touch on the importance of feeling safe and comfortable in nature and the potential for awe and wonder in wild spaces.

We discuss the idea that our mode of consciousness is not universal, that our perception of the world is shaped by our cultural and individual backgrounds, and the role of ceremony and mindfulness in deepening our connection with nature and the potential for a post-economic paradigm that values localisation, autonomy, and our relationship with nature.

KEY THEMES

• Humanity is facing a reckoning with its relationship with one another and the Earth.

• The human psyche is fragmented, distracted, and desensitized, particularly in relation to technology and the attention economy.

• The NatureFix app aims to make nature connection more accessible and encourages engagement with the natural world.

• Feeling safe and comfortable in nature is important for deepening our connection with the natural world.

• Wild spaces offer the potential for awe and wonder, but also require a sense of openness and willingness to embrace the unknown. Our mode of consciousness is not universal and our perception of the world is shaped by our cultural and individual backgrounds.

• Ceremony and mindfulness can deepen our connection with nature and bring a sense of reverence and meaning to our experiences.

• A post-economic paradigm could involve localization, autonomy, and a shift in values to prioritize our relationship with nature.

• Taking time to sit in nature and observe can help us reconnect with the joy and beauty that is always present.

• Our actions, even if seemingly insignificant, can contribute to a shift in consciousness and the preservation of our connection with nature.

WEBSITES

https://bio.site/drmattz

https://www.naturefix.life/

https://earthcollective.net/

BOOKS & OTHER RESOURCES

Journey to Ixtlan: The Lessons of Don Juan - Carlos Castaneda (https://amzn.to/46LAg1n)

Doctoral Thesis - Connectedness as a Core Conservation Concern: An Interdisciplinary Review of Theory and a Call for Practice | Springer Science Reviews (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40362-014-0021-3)

The Enchanted Life - Sharon Blackie (https://amzn.to/3X9bWlR)

The Celestine Prophecy - James Redfield (https://amzn.to/4dsEA8g)

The Invisible Gorilla - Christopher Chabris & Daniel Simons (https://amzn.to/3yuxkK0)

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

01:05 Exploring the Global Human Psyche

02:25 Defining Flourishing and Nature Connection

06:02 The Fragmentation and Desensitization of the Human Psyche

09:29 Desensitization and Scroll Consciousness

18:45 Introducing the NatureFix App

26:43 The Importance of Feeling Safe and Comfortable in Nature

28:59 Embracing the Wild: Awe and Wonder in Nature

34:18 The Role of Attention and Perception

37:41 Ceremony and Mindfulness

41:28 Exploring a Post-Economic Paradigm

47:44 Bringing Ceremony into Daily Life

51:36 Ceremonial Consciousness in Unexpected Places