Cultivating a Nature Connection

Are you cultivating a nature connection in your life?

​I recently returned home from a week-long training in Sonoma, California. I was trained as a Forest Therapy Guide - which is based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing). It was fabulous to be disconnected from technology and to truly immerse myself in the forest and the natural environment around me and I'd love to share some of my thoughts from the forest.

​Ten Lessons from the Forest

Slow Down:
It seems cliche to add this as a "lesson" but this is something that I know I oftentimes forget in the busy-ness of life - and even when I am out in nature. I tend to keep going and moving and forget to slow down and enjoy the journey. When we take time to slow down we are able to fully awaken to the moment at hand.

Notice the Little Things - Be Observant:
One of the "invitations" offered on a forest therapy walk is the invitation to notice what's in motion. We moved slowly along the path and thru a meadow on our own time - stopping to sit and be still and notice all of the little things that were in motion. It's amazing how slowing down and being intentional in our observations can really center us into our place in space. 

Listen:
Another invitation was to close our eyes and listen - focusing on near sounds and then far sounds, on one type of bird call and then another, on the sound of the creek nearest us and then the farthest out gurgle of water we could hear. Many times in life we get caught up in wanting to speak and be heard, when it may serve the situation better to remain silent and truly, actively listen to the conversation or the moment at hand. Cultivating this skill of listening and providing space is a wonderful take away from spending time in the forest.

Honor Stillness:
We went into the woods to be still and in doing so many of us were able to have a self-realization or two - some profound and moving. If we continue to maintain a state of busy-ness then we are never really able to address emotions and process situations in the moment. Honoring stillness in our lives can help us to cope, de-stress and listen to our inner voice in the moment as we strive to live full, meaningful lives.

Disconnect:
This is such an important lesson today with all of the screen time that we face everyday. Taking a week away to disconnect was so amazing and it helped to re-set priorities. When was the last time you spent a day or a weekend completely and totally disconnected - from Facebook, from the TV, from your phone, from your email, etc.? Time disconnected and immersed in the forest was a great way to hit the reset button on life.

Cultivate a Connection with the More than Human World:
Often we are pulled away from the natural world and into our office jobs, our commutes and running the kids to their clubs and sporting events. We forget to maintain a nature connection - a cultivated relationship with the more than human world. I hear this time and again come up in coaching conversations and with those in my inner circle of friends. We all get too busy to head outside. I challenge you to commit to re-connect with nature in the way that works for you - on a consistent basis. How can you bring more of the natural world into  your day to day routine?

Cultivate a Connected Community of Support:
When we walk into a forest we are walking into a living breathing world of interconnectedness. It's the web of life playing out on stage right before our eyes. When we slow down and take notice we can see how each action and relationship helps to support the network of life that is present - it is a living, breathing community of support. Consider the community of support in your life. Are you feeling connected to those around you or are you feeling a disconnect? Take time to honor and cultivate a community that is supportive of you in continuing to grow into your best self.

Accept the Healing Energy of the Natural World:
Many in our group had profound, moving insights as we progressed through the week and spent more and more time immersed in the healing energy of the forest. When you cultivate a relationship with nature and consciously choose to immerse yourself in the natural world, you are opening yourself up to it's healing energy. On one level you are slowing down and removing yourself from the stress of the "city", you are stepping away from all of the "screens" that are present in your life and you are returning to a more natural environment. On another level you are connecting to your true nature. How have you experienced the healing energy of the natural world in your life?

Embrace Your Joyful, Playful Nature:
For me the experience of training to be a Forest Therapy Guide invoked a playful nature as I watched squirrels scampering from tree to tree and grasses dancing in the breeze. It was a wonderful reminder to maintain a connection to my childlike sense of wonder as I move back into the routine of "normal" life. 

Honor Your Calling:
Who are you called to be? Are you following your truth? This is the message that I took away from the forest. In slowing down and immersing myself in nature I was able to re-connect with my truth and honor who I really am becoming. 

My training to become a Forest Therapy Guide and lead Shinrin-Yoku walks here in the Sierra Nevada was a gift to myself as I stepped away and fully immersed in the process. It was a good reminder to pay attention to what calls to us and speaks to us in this moment of life.

What lessons and insights have you learned from spending time in the forest?
How might you cultivate a stronger nature connection in your life?

I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

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