An invitation from Alexander Gunnarsson and Suravi Chatterjee-Woolman :
Why do two scientists independently turn to nature and start to listen to a more intuitive call from the wild?
Suravi and I have recently been connecting over the sense of being drawn to nature, and seeking a deeper connection to the world. For me it is the way I’ve been drawn in by the sea, for Suravi it’s the deep connection to the trails of the African bush.
For both of us, being out there is like learning a new language. It’s felt strangely familiar and yet completely new. But as the vocabulary increases with experience and by paying deep attention, our understanding of the world around us deepens.
We have learned to read the landscapes around us; I have learned to listen to the wind and tides when at sea, and understand how those forces flow; Suravi has learned to listen to the quiet trails under trees, to understand where the animals roam or hide, and to read the landscapes and understand how the animals interact. And as this natural language grows more intuitive, it seems to change how we relate to ourselves as part of the world.
We want to explore this topic of connection and how we both got to where we are in a live fireside chat here on Substack, to which you are warmly invited!
Both of us come from scientific backgrounds which makes it all the more curious that we have found this intuitive way of engaging with the world.
In this live chat we will explore our individual experiences of finding ourselves drawn to different parts of the natural world.
If exploring questions of deep connection, of learning the language of the natural world, and of becoming more in tune with nature resonates please join us for this discussion!
The Fireside Chat: Event Details
Link to join event: https://open.substack.com/live-stream/405315
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: 19:00 UTC | 20:00 BST (UK) | 12:00 PM PDT (US West Coast)
Where: Right here on Substack Live
While the fire itself is metaphorical, we hope you’ll gather around it with us and join the conversation in the comments.
We will be delving into:
Our paths from science (biochemistry & medicine) to the wild
What it means to learn the “language” of the sea and the bush
How deep immersion in nature impacts mental health, creativity, and well-being
The books and thinkers that inspired our journeys
Live Q&A and reader stories
We would love to hear your stories of connection to nature as well:
What part of the natural world calls to you most? Whether it’s the sea, mountains, ancient forests, or something closer to home, share your thoughts in the comments below!
Fair winds,
Alexander and Suravi
Suravi writes deeply human stories from her perspective both as a surgeon and her experience tracking wild animals in the African bush.
Her publication Tracks and Sutures is the meeting place between those worlds. There, you’ll find stories that inspire a fierce awe at what it means to be alive.
Please follow her writing by subscribing below!
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Sounds like a great idea.
This sounds lovely, Alex. Your introduction brief but full of details. I especially love this phrase: "... listen to the quiet trails under trees."