In today's episode I have the deep honour of welcoming Joseph Bharat Cornell - a world-renowned author, educator, naturalist, and pioneer in the field of nature connection.

Joseph’s Sharing Nature books have sold over a million copies and been translated into twenty-five languages, sparking what’s been called a worldwide revolution in nature education.

Back in the 1970s, Joseph pioneered an experiential, heart-centered approach to learning in nature, now known as Flow Learning™.

This transformative model, along with his joyful and accessible activities, has touched the lives of countless children and adults across the world - from inner-city classrooms to remote wilderness trails. His latest work, Deep Nature Play, continues this mission, guiding us into a deeper sense of wholeness, creativity, and connection through immersive play.

In this deeply inspiring conversation with Joseph Bharat Cornell, we explore the power of nature connection, experiential learning, and the inner stillness that transforms how we live, teach, and relate to the world. Meditation, yoga philosophy, and other wisdom traditions greatly influenced his work.

Joseph has lived in the Ananda Community as a monk and teacher since 1975 and in this episode, we discuss how...

• Joseph shares how moments of stillness and inner joy led him to a life of nature connection
• The natural world evokes a sense of reverence and belonging when we engage through feeling rather than intellect
• Flow Learning™ offers a four-stage process that supports deep, meaningful experiences in nature
• Joyful play helps quiet the ego and allows children and adults to be fully present
• In states of deep play and nature immersion, there is a diminished sense of ego — attention shifts from self to experience
• Experiential learning is transformative — people retain the feeling of an experience long after facts are forgotten
• Studies show that while most information is quickly lost, the emotional tone of an experience is remembered
• Lasting learning happens when the whole being is involved — body, heart, and mind together
• True education begins with experience; understanding follows naturally
• Facilitators need to cultivate their own inner stillness in order to guide others
• Activities like “Build a Tree” and “Camera Game” help participants enter a state of reverence
• Calm feeling allows for deeper perception and connection than reactive emotion
• Nature is egoless - being outdoors supports inner clarity and connection
• Play is a universal language that encourages openness across all ages
• Experiences like “Interview with Nature” use imagination to build empathy and awareness
• Reflection and storytelling help integrate and deepen nature-based learning
• Meditation and inner practice are essential parts of Joseph’s work and life
• Hope comes from developing inner awareness — our calm presence can subtly influence the world.

https://theoutdoorteacher.com/podcasts/joseph-cornell-podcast/

Music by Geoff Robb: www.geoffrobb.com

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Mentioned in this episode:

Awakening to the Soul of the World

Find out more about our 'Awakening to the Soul of the World' training with Rebecca Card: https://circleofliferediscovery.com/cpd-training/awakening-to-the-soul-of-the-world-nature-retreat-sussex/