Today I want to invite you to do some forest bathing.

What is forest bathing?

I watched a fascinating video produced by YouTube sensation Kirsten Dirksen. In her video entitled "Practicing forest-bathing: fewer maladies, more well-being?" Kirsten and her team go to Japan to interview Dr. Qing Li. He is the leading shinrin yoku researcher and is an associate professor at Tokyo’s Nippon Medical School and President of the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine. Qing Li's numerous studies show how the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku can benefit your health.

Kirsten says, "A belief that nature is good for you may sound like common sense, but in Japan, researchers have taken the idea to the laboratory and produced evidence that a walk in the woods could help prevent cancer, fight obesity and reduce stress and depression. The Japanese coined the term “shinrin-yoku”, or forest bathing, to codify the practice of exposing yourself to nature (particularly trees)."

Nature is a place of deep connection for most people. When you ask people or get into conversations about how they relax and connect, often the answer is by getting outside, watching the sunset, and looking up at the mountains.

Spending time in their garden or walking among the trees. One of my favorite practices of late is a form of forest bathing, and that's to use all five of my senses when I enter the trail across the street from where I live. I intentionally ask myself, what do I see? What do I hear? What do I smell? I think about the temperature of the air on my skin. And the ground beneath my feet. It's a way of putting my whole body into the forest.

There have been lots of studies done. One of the most famous ones of late has been done in Japan where they have 60+ different forest bathing centers. In British Columbia, in the province where I live in Canada, psychiatrists can now prescribe a day in a provincial or federal park.

It's become a legitimate form of therapy.

Now, if you're ready, I want to invite you to use your imagination and do a mindfulness exercise with me and wherever you are, do some forest. To begin with, find a comfortable position where you feel most relaxed and supported.

Let go of anything that isn't serving you.

Now, I invite you to visualize yourself walking through a beautiful forest. You're walking among luscious green trees.

There are old, tall, magnificent trees. There are young trees

and out over the trail, there are trees whose branches reach out for the nourishing light of the sun.

There are all sorts of flowers and budding plants, wildflowers,

and there are so many different smells. Try to recall the simple smell of fresh, clean air.

The flowery smell of spring where the trees and the plants begin to bud

engage all of your senses as you imagine yourself walking down a beautiful forest trail.

What do you see in this forest?

What do you hear?

Allow your imagination to wander.

What are you feeling?

What do you feel on the surface of your skin? On your bare face, on your bare hands?

Imagine walking with bare feet, each step gently touching the earth.

Feel the pace of nature.

Have you ever stood next to a still pond or in the middle of a forest and just felt the silence and the solitude and the grandeur of the trees around you? Trying to imagine that now.

As you walk through the forest, your connection goes deeper and deeper. Nature is hugging you, mother, nature's nurturing with presence, energy, and love.

All the emotions and thoughts that were with you when you entered the forest have melted away, and all that is left is stillness, connection, and joy.

The sky, the plants, the trees, the animals, the bird song, the soil, the air sense, the connection of all things.

Allow yourself to remain here. Be present.

Remember that nature is always giving. It's so generous. You can always return to nature and tap into all that nature has for you. It doesn't matter who you are, it doesn't matter what you've done. You are safe, supported, loved, and always welcomed by nature.

Thank you so much for joining me today. May you be happy and take good care.

~ Rod Janz

To connect with Rod for prayer, spiritual direction or coaching see https://www.hintsofgladness.com/initiatives

Photos: Unsplash, Canva, and Rod Janz

Meditation inspired by Nhi Nhi Le on Insight Timer

About Rod

Rod received his spiritual direction training from his dear friends at SoulStream back in 2007 and has been providing and receiving it ever since. He attended Canadian Bible College (now Ambrose University), UBC and Sauder School of Business. He received his coaching training from Essential Impact. He has taken multiple other courses on contemplation, praying for others, retreat leadership, and an introduction to counselling. He regularly offers retreats and sessions on topics such as silence, practicing contemplation in nature, contemplative photography, and a variety of other contemplative practices. Rod is an avid hiker and nature photographer and nothing brings him more joy than spending time with his family and friends.