This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of guiding a forest therapy walk on the banks of the Willamette River.
It was quite rainy here, but the rainfall lessened as our walk began, and the forest canopy sheltered us from the worst of the rain. Though the river grew while we were out on our 3-hour walk, blocking one of the pathways on the way back to the parking lot, I barely got wet.
My idea of the rain, and the experience of the rain, were starkly different realities.
Watching the ivy and grasses nod their heads with each drop of rain brought the forest floor to life. It was an achingly beautiful afternoon spent in nature’s cathedral.
With the help of a handful of invitations, our small group touched, smelled, and listened our way back to sanity. Concerns about climate change, gun violence, and rising prices all loosened their grip on my mind.
As I remembered my way back home to forest, body, and breath, I was simply present. In that unburdened state, I touched awe and felt peace.
This week, in preparation for our circle, perhaps you will join me in the practice of slowing down and coming to your senses, maybe taking off your shoes to walk outside, eating an orange slowly while engaging all of your senses, or wandering in the rain.
We will reflect on the experience together at the start of our circle and will discuss how to find our balance in a world with its pants on backward.
And, if any of you would like to join me for a virtual forest therapy walk on Sunday, June 26, from 10 am-1 pm PDT (1-4 pm EDT), do let me know. There is a suggested donation of $20, but anything you can contribute is more than welcome: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=4GKTM48WGSBJN
I hope you can join us for the journey circle this Wednesday!
Intention
Whatever is most alive for you this week.
RSVP
Feel free to email me at anna “at” gaiashamanism “dot” com for this week’s zoom invitation. All skill levels are welcome.