In this episode of The Observatory, George Bumann, a professional sculptor and wildlife ecologist, joins the show to discuss communicating and listening to the world and nature and how it's constantly communicating with us. George shares insights from his book "Eavesdropping on Animals: What We Can Learn From Wildlife Conversations" and explores the importance of creating a relationship with nature. The conversation delves into instances of listening to nature, techniques for achieving stillness, and the connection between music, listening, watching, and the natural world. George, whose sculptures can be found in prestigious collections across the United States, brings a unique perspective that combines his artistic background with his deep understanding of wildlife ecology.

Timestamps

[01:51] About George Bumann
[04:00] The book - Eavesdropping on Animals: What We Can Learn From Wildlife Conversations
[07:20] Creating a relationship with nature
[16:31] Instances George observed listening to nature
[25:29] Allowing nature to be what it is
[31:30] Using our senses to focus more when we are still
[35:28] Techniques to get into stillness
[44:22] We are never well in isolation
[49:21] Yellowstone environment experience for George
[58:40] Connection between music, listening, watching, and nature
[01:03:52] George’s experience when he was dancing around the fire
[01:12:23] Getting into spaces where we explore

Notable Quotes

• “In a lot of cultures the birds are the messengers, they are the ones that bring the messages to the clan or to the tribe.” - Scott Wright [13:51]
• “You can learn with the plants, you can learn with the animals have to teach us but that’s the big thing, is most of us just do not know how to listen anymore.” - George Bumann [14:54]
• “If you are darting your eyes around, the only thing you are seeing is the one thing you are looking at.” - Scott Wright [33:48]
• “Our culture, even our science has become so reductionist and focused on particular things.”  - George Bumann [35:38]
• “Those broader ways of observing contexts gives you the relationship.” - George Bumann [35:52] 
• “We live in the land of the free but we are not free.” - George Bumann [01:04:34]
• “Conversations can happen on so many levels beyond words.” - LaRae Wright

Resources Mentioned

1. The Book: Eavesdropping on Animals: What We Can Learn From Wildlife Conversations - George Bumann : https://www.amazon.com/Eavesdropping-Animals-Learn-Wildlife-Conversations/dp/1778400205
2. The Book: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants - Robin Wall Kimmerer: https://www.amazon.com/Braiding-Sweetgrass-Indigenous-Scientific-Knowledge/dp/1571313567
3. The Book: The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music - Victor L. Wooten: https://www.amazon.com/Music-Lesson-Spiritual-Search-Through/dp/0425220931

Connect With George Bumann: 
https://www.georgebumann.com/
https://www.facebook.com/george.bumann.3/
https://www.ayellowstonelife.com
https://www.ayellowstonelife.com/language-of-the-wild/

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