When I first entered the lush, old growth rain forest that is the Olympic Forest, I knew instantly that the Forest Service sign saying that the forest is all about competition was completely wrong.
The forest is resoundingly about connection and community from the most microscopic interaction to the biggest tree housing multitudes, sharing its resources through root networks and finally by becoming a nurse log.
The feeling of being in the forest, in the trees, is life-affirming and juicy good all the way through our personal organism. To experience our connection with another species and the earth, knowing that the same force that flows through trees flows through us is, I don't know how to describe it. It is right. Home. Present.
Why is this important? If you want to thrive and renew your personal vitality, resolve and joy it is essential to renew your intimate connection with nature. We are nature, after all. You can't do this in your head.
For example, sitting in a grove of crab apple trees you experience their energy of calm productivity. We are so connected to apple that it is like a family tree. It is in our bodies and psyches. It has integrated our lives transmitting its energy of pure calm productivity and wholesomeness. This is joyful productivity and it revives the spirit.
Join me for a Forest Bathing+Connect with Trees walk on Saturday, May 4th from 3-5 pm at the Hoyt Arboretum.
We will put aside our technology, tune in with a meditation to quiet our busy minds, and use our senses to take in the great mystery that is constantly available. We will use my Tree Transformation Cards as guides to determine which trees we will meet. We will experience the forest and individual trees.
This walk is one we have not done previously and I am excited about doing this with you. It is a great spring walk with interesting new trees.
The walk lasts about two hours and costs $22.00 which includes a $3.00 donation to the Arboretum.