Remembering. "You didn't come into this world. You came out of it, like a wave from the ocean. You are not a stranger here." Alan Watts

Even kicking up the natural elements that make up the ground as you walk upon it, releases them up and into you, this is why it is good to let children play outside, in the mud and dirt so that they come into contact with the natural elements that we share with the environment all around us.

Mud baths, and mud play. Mud, salt and rocks. Mountains, lakes and valleys. Volcanoes and larva, spilling up ancient star dust layered and embedded many miles deep below.  Seas and Sahara's.
How ever else did all these particles get to be here, whirling and spinning, gathering and collecting into this physical formation, star dust emissions since the first star was born.

The elements that came to build this world, originated from the stars in the sky. As stars grow in size, the particles of gases, through heat and in the crucible of creation, the humble hydrogen atom becomes more complex with addition of electrons and protons, making each new element and as stars explode, cool down, and die. The star dust contains these elements, which are released into the atmosphere and fall to earth in a never ending supply.   This is how nature replenishes itself.

We are the walking talking aspects of nature and so have a shared origin in that the elements from which our physical bodies are made are also those that make up the physical elements of nature.
We too share the spirit of that nature. Its just that we have forgotten.

Walking through life could be our walking and waking into this amazing realisation of Just what nature really is.


Michaela.

If you need help to remember, try practicing the art of shinrin-yoku, below.


from the book

Shinrin-yoku: The Japanese Way of Forest Bathing for Health and Relaxation.  

http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html

Go to a Forest. Walk slowly. Breathe. Open all your senses.
This is the healing way of Shinrin-yoku Forest Therapy,
the medicine of simply being in the forest.

Shinrin-yoku is a term that means "taking in the forest atmosphere" or "forest bathing." It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine. Researchers primarily in Japan and South Korea have established a robust body of scientific literature on the health benefits of spending time under the canopy of a living forest. Now their research is helping to establish shinrin-yoku and forest therapy throughout the world.

The idea is simple: if a person simply visits a natural area and walks in a relaxed way there are calming, rejuvenating and restorative benefits to be achieved.

We have always known this intuitively. But in the past several decades there have been many scientific studies that are demonstrating the mechanisms behind the healing effects of simply being in wild and natural areas. (some of this research is available here). For example, many trees give off organic compounds that support our “NK” (natural killer) cells that are part of our immune system's way of fighting cancer.

The scientifically-proven benefits of Shinrin-yoku include: Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells. Reduced blood pressure Reduced stress Improved mood Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness Increased energy level Improved sleep Just as impressive are the results that we are experiencing as we make this part of our regular practice: Deeper and clearer intuition Increased flow of energy Increased capacity to communicate with the land and its species Increased flow of eros/life force Deepening of friendships Overall increase in sense of happiness

Opening our senses to nature also develops our intuition. We learn to contact in new ways the world around us.

We recognize that forest therapy approaches such as Shinrin-yoku have roots in many cultures throughout history. John Muir wrote, “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home. Wilderness is a necessity.” He is one of many people who we include when we think about the origins of the practice.

Our approach to Shinrin Yoku Forest Therapy is that taught by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs. It combines leisurely walks on gentle paths under forest canopy with guided activities to help you open your senses, hone your intuition, and experience the forest as you never have before. We draw upon mindfulness meditation practices, and the techniques of deep nature connection mentoring. We also use the Way of Council for group discussions at several points along the walk, which helps participants learn from and teach other as we discuss what we are experiencing together. 

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The purpose of Shinrin-Yoku.org...

1. To organize Shinrin-yoku forest therapy walks in our local areas so people can directly experience the practice and its benefits.
2. To increase public awareness and acceptance of shinrin-yoku, forest therapy, and other practices that mobilize the connective and healing power of nature.
3. To establish areas of natural forests on public lands as designated sites for forest therapy activities, such as walking and meditation.
4. To provide leadership toward development of a training and certification program for shinrin-yoku forest therapy guides, and to programs whose services incorporate forest therapy.
5. To be a resource for information and advocacy for forest therapy and nature connection.
6. To transform our cultural relationship to forests through fostering deeper relationships and positive experiences with forested areas.

"You didn't come into this world.
You came out of it, like a wave from the ocean.
You are not a stranger here."
Alan Watts