Rewilding the Human Heart

Sharifa Oppenheimer was the founding teacher of the Charlottesville Waldorf School and is the author of numerous parenting books including the well-received Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children and With Stars in Their Eyes: Brain Science and Your Child's Journey Toward the Self. After writing extensively from her experience, wisdom, and love of young children, she has turned her hand toward writing about other aspects of profound connection. In her new book Rewilding the Human Heart ~ A Journey of Reunion, she invites the reader to travel with her into a new and ancient relationship with the living earth. It is a companion to her recent book of poems, A Litany of Wild Graces: Meditations on Sacred Ecology. In both books she explores humanity's biological and spiritual inter-being with our other-than-human relations. Visit her website: Wild Graces

“With the flair and vivid language of a poet and the wisdom of an old soul, Sharifa Oppenheimer leads us into a deep appreciation of our relationship with self and with nature. Attuned to the spirit of the ancestors and awake to the mysteries of spirit in our time, Oppenheimer leads us on a careful examination of inner and outer nature in our own experience. This book is a trek through our inner life which we can take up if we are willing to make the effort to follow her lead. She is beckoning us to follow her into the wonder of discovery. This is a book for adults to renew the magic that children discover when their imagination is awakened in true education.” —William HS Gebel. Astrophysicist, performing artist, psychotherapist and author, Gebel is the author of No God or Only God, Nature’s Hidden Dimension, and Root Speaks to Bud

“Rewilding the Human Heart: A Journey of Reunion is an extraordinary guide that leads the reader into a deeply felt connection with Nature. Sharifa Oppenheimer masterfully blends scientific insights on brain development and neuroscience with humanity’s elemental and evolutionary history, creating a beautiful fusion of knowledge and embodiment. Through her wisdom, the book becomes an experiential journey, inviting us to consciously engage with the seen and unseen aspects of life. Sharifa’s ability to draw us into the primal forces of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether makes this an essential read for anyone seeking a deeper, more intimate relationship with the world around us—and within us. This book is a true guide for reawakening our elemental nature and becoming better stewards of our shared Earth.” —Elyshia Holliday. Executive Director of Organization of Nature Evolutionaries (ONE)

“In Rewilding the Human Heart Sharifa Oppenheimer combines lyrical storytelling, keen observation and what she calls ‘technologies of relationship’ in order to weave the elements and their tangible expressions into an exquisite fabric of interbeing – the place where we are all connected. We are given the opportunity to not only intellectually understand this connection but to participate in practices that explore and expand our conscious awareness of our kinship with Nature where we meet in common union. This blessing of a book is like a healing balm for the wounds of separation that modernity has imposed upon us, while helping to reawaken our truly natural selves.” —Pam Montgomery. Teacher, international speaker, founding member of United Plant Savers, and author of Co-Creating with Nature and Plant Spirit Healing

“Thank you, Sharifa, for reminding us once again that we are, at our very core, beings of mystery and wonder.  The very word rewilding awakens, stirs and moves us toward awareness of the outer landscape of the elements and ether beings and, at the same time, draws us into an inner landscape that opens up a soul-deepening so needed in our time. Read Rewilding the Human Heart from cover to cover! Each chapter includes spirit-filled tools, teaching us to, as Sharifa says ‘live in joyous co-creation with all beings.’” —Cynthia Aldinger. Author of Life is the Curriculum and Home Away From Home. Founder of LifeWays North America

“In Rewilding the Human Heart, Sharifa invites the reader to lay down the busyness of the world to discover and deepen our primal depth of being. She guides us in an exploration of both the outward and inward aspects of the Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. Within these pages lies a lifetime of contemplations and practices for those wishing to embrace the fullness of Life. In this age, where our lives all too often keep us apart from Nature’s abundant teachings, this book serves to rekindle the heritage that our ancestors knew well. Just perhaps, such a renewal will harmonize humanity with this precious planet that we have so abused.” —Wali David Via. Pioneer and teacher of Biodynamic/Regenerative agriculture, farmer, senior teacher in the Sufi Inayatiyya Inner School, leader in the Ziraat, or Sacred Ecology movement. Importantly, he is a life-long composting devotee

“Through simple wisdom and wise exercises. Sharifa Oppenheimer invites us into deeper connection with Nature. Within this broadened kinship we learn to see ourselves and the world with fresh eyes.”
—Jen Frey. Author of Communicating with Plants: Heart-Based Practices, founder of Heart Springs Sanctuary, healer, mentor, earth advocate and voice of the plants. 

“This work responds to a longing felt among all people, especially the youth, who are looking for some way to connect with Gaia, to find hope rather than despair or confusion amidst the state of our world.  The book is rich with story and practice ~ multi-layered practices that draw one outward and inward, using the elements and realms of being as a template. Quite practical as well as poetic. ” —Zakira Beasley. Somatic educator and practitioner, Biodynamic cranio-sacral and poly-vagal touch therapist. Her work is informed by her Sufi and Buddhist training and many years of teaching in these traditions.