John Crockett grew up on Black Mountain, a unique granite dome in Dummerston, Vermont. He spent his childhood scrambling over rocks, snaking through dense laurel groves, sitting by streams and gazing at the stars. That fired an early passion for Earth sciences and astronomy. But it was a deeper calling that inspired his interest in bringing two worlds together – one of solid ground and matter, and a more elusive world of inner space, and vast silence.
As a result, John has spent his life asking questions about our place on Earth, working for peace, social justice and environmental conservation, and sharing his experiences through writing and education. He has studied the vocal behavior of humpback whales, songbirds and grey seals. He now devotes much of his time to recording natural soundscapes.
With his partner, Cynthia Hughes, he formed the musical duo Coracle in 2005, which blends Celtic harp, cello, Irish whistles, guitars and music from the natural world to inspire an understanding of our essential unity with the other creatures and the whole Earth.
John created The Natural Contemplative website in 2005 as a resource for environmental education and conservation from a contemplative perspective. John’s work though The Natural Contemplative recognizes that the environmental situation is critical, and solutions are urgently needed that touch the deepest levels of who we think we are, how we view the world, and how our actions mirror those beliefs.
John has worked with the Whale Conservation Institute/Ocean Alliance, the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, the Student Conservation Association, Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Environmental Studies Department at Antioch University New England. He has been engaged with contemplative and meditative practices for more than 35 years.
John is available to speak with individuals or small groups about contemplative ecology, listening as a unique way of knowing the world, nature sound recording methods, and the contemplative life.