Shinrin-Yoku

Hello Beautiful;

How often do you get outside?  Not just walking to your car for a quick trip to the market, but actually immersing yourself in nature? 

The Japanese have a term for spending time in nature, especially in forests – Shinrin-yoku, or Forest bathing.  I once read an article in Time magazine in which the author speaks of this practice as taking in the atmosphere of the forest through our senses.  This sums eloquently how I feel when I am in nature, but especially surrounded by trees and away from the busy-ness and distraction of civilization.  

As I walk among the tall trees, my sense of self –  expectations, wishes, insecurities, doubts and fears just melt away as I stand in awe of the beauty that surrounds me.  I am encompassed by the feeling of God – or Source, or Spirit – something so much greater than my small self and the trivial aspects of being human and my egoic self just can’t stand in front of that greatness so retreats to a distant corner of my mind.  

Sunday is church day for many, but COVID has reduced or eliminated the ability to gather for worship.  I don’t attend church services these days as the dogma and demand for money I had experienced in my last year or so of religion several years ago just felt wrong, but being in nature for me takes me directly to the Source that I have been seeking all my life.  

This is worship.  This is church and temple.  This is connection to All That Is and as I sink deeper into connection with Source and and my Self I am reminded that the petty squabbles with my small self – and others – are unnecessary and even harmful to my truth – to the magic, beauty and spaciousness of who I am beneath those layers that have been imposed upon me by others and that I have imposed upon myself. 

This connection to Source and Spirit is reason enough to spend time in nature as often as possible, but science also reinforces the benefits of shinrin-yoku.  

Forest bathing exposes us to the powerful negative ions that are produced by the earth, but are found in particular abundance in forests and by large bodies of water.  Frequent exposure to negative ions lengthen telomeres; the DNA markers for aging, reduce the incidence of cancer and autoimmune diseases, and increase the brain’s production of dopamine and serotonin; anxiety-lowering, feel good neurotransmitters.  Forest bathing also has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27493670/

Do you have a regular practice that disconnects you from technology and the negative impacts on our emotional and physical wellness that modern society brings and re-connects you with your highest Self and better health?  If not, take a dip into the cool waters of Shinrin-yoku.  Allow yourself to reset, to drop all of the stuff and really feel the forest.  What have you got to lose -besides stress, anxiety, and poor health?  Much love!🥰

• Terah