Inspired by a spiritual awakening, American filmmaker Michael M. Conti explores the life and legacy of John Muir, a naturalist and conservationist whose vision for a sustainable future continues to inspire environmentalists today.
Discover the “patron saint” of National Parks
California Crossings
Don’t miss the chance to be moved by stunning nature photography and the powerful message of the film.
Join the exploration as seen in 60 screenings in 20 cities across 7 states and a special screening at Yosemite National Park and in Scotland!
Experience the transformational power of nature with The Unruly Mystic: John Muir, a film that celebrates the life and work of the patron saint of national parks. Follow filmmaker Michael M. Conti on his journey to uncover the beauty and abundance of the natural world, and be inspired to connect deeper with the spiritual nourishment it provides. Don’t miss this opportunity to value and appreciate our wild places like never before.
Get ready to be inspired by the life and wisdom of environmental activist John Muir with the newly released Scotland Cut of The Unruly Mystic. This film explores the connection between nature and spirituality through the words of Muir, the founder of Yosemite National Park. In this expanded version, you’ll discover additional footage along the John Muir Way in rural Scotland, as well as interviews with US Park Ranger Shelton Johnson and other noted theologians, writers, naturalists, historians, and outdoor enthusiasts. Don’t miss the chance to be moved by stunning nature photography and the powerful message of the film.
Why John Muir?
The environmental movement stands on the shoulders of a few influential conservationists, including John Muir, also known as ‘John of the Mountains’. Muir was a naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, and the founder of the Sierra Club. He was a dedicated advocate for preserving natural resources and wild places in the United States, and through his activism, he became a pioneer in the wilderness. Muir’s spirit and legacy continue to live on in our national parks, wilderness areas, wildlife refuges, hiking trails, and forests.
It’s been argued that Muir has become “one of the patron saints of 20th-century American environmental activity”, and it’s also been said that Muir understood his mission to be “saving the American soul from total surrender to materialism”. Muir was noted for being an ecological thinker, political spokesperson and religious prophet, whose writings became a personal guide into nature for countless individuals. He was also a mountaineer, a geologist, a naturalist, an inventor, a glaciologist and of course a conservationist, but he said of himself:
“I could have become a millionaire, but chose instead to become a tramp”.
John Muir
Muir was a man of many talents and passions – a mountaineer, a geologist, a naturalist, and a conservationist, to name a few. But above all, he was a man who understood the importance of nature and the need to protect it for future generations. His words have served as a personal guide for me, helping me to connect with and appreciate the beauty of the world around me.
How to reckon with John Muir’s Racism
The recent acknowledgement of John Muir’s racist attitudes toward Native Americans and Black Americans has diminished his stature within the Sierra Club. I have had my own reckoning with the dichotomy between John Muir’s status as a pioneer of the environmental movement and his racist views of the people who lived on the land long before him. While many of his observations present his racial bias and erasure of Native Americans, I believe he had a change of heart to some degree during his 1879 trip to Alaska. I have recently republished his book Travels in Alaska, with a new foreword and introduction to help others understand Muir’s intentions.
Travels in Alaska: (With Original Drawings and Photographs)
$15.49 (as of April 14, 2024 17:16 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Muir, an ecological prophet, and Christian mystic, profoundly shaped how we understand and envision our relationship with the natural world. His work has become a personal guide into the natural world for countless individuals. In “The Unruly Mystic: John Muir” an award-winning film from director and producer Michael M. Conti, illustrates how he has been influenced by Muir’s writings.
Film 2 in the Series:
The Unruly Mystic: John Muir
Speaker. Author. Poet. Conservationist.
What emotional connection to nature do we all share?
In The Unruly Mystic: John Muir, we explore the personal yet universal journey of connecting with nature through the life and adventures of John Muir, beginning with his humble childhood in Scotland. Along the way, we meet others who share their perspectives on nature and Muir, and how his inspiration has affected their lives. All of this ties back to our connection with nature and how it can lead to spiritual awakenings, as experienced by Muir and the filmmaker. Join us on this journey of discovery and inspiration.
Muir valued nature for its spiritual and transcendental qualities, referring to the Great Outdoors as places for rest, inspiration, and prayer. He encouraged others to experience nature for its spiritual nourishment. The film is a personal and inspirational journey about how the filmmaker and others reaffirm their appreciation of the wild through the writings of Muir and spending time in nature.
Discover the emotional connection we all share with nature in The Unruly Mystic: John Muir. Follow the journey of John Muir, beginning with his humble childhood in Scotland, and meet those who share their perspectives on nature and Muir’s inspiration. Explore how our connection with nature can lead to a spiritual awakening, as experienced by Muir and the filmmaker. Join us on this personal yet universal journey of connection and inspiration.
Books and Films
Experience the Magic of John Muir with Our Product Offerings of Books, eBooks, Audiobooks, an online film, and DVD.
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Through the Eyes of John Muir
“Through the Eyes of John Muir” presents a series of hands on and engaging lessons designed for classroom teachers, parents of both home school and independent study students.
