Forest Bathing Recap: Journaling Among the Trees

On Saturday, September 23, a group of 12 Balanced Soul Forest Bathers, in partnership with the Indiana Native Plant Society, met at the Marion College Nina Mason Pulliam Ecolab to explore "Journaling Among the Trees."

We reflected on how nature journaling is another way to deepen our connection with nature. When we write down our thoughts and observations, we can process the information more clearly, creating a more present relationship to what we notice. Our morning began with a group meditation beside the Allison Mansion fountain. The sound of the fountains rushing water and birdsong gently supported the grounding meditation, helping us to cross the threshold of awareness into the Forest and to leave behind our busy lives.

Writing a Letter Spoken from Nature

Our group completed a silent gratitude walk down into the Ecolab, holding the thought, "If Nature Could Speak, What Would SHE Be Saying to You?" When we arrived at the outdoor classroom, we discussed options for capturing a response from nature through creative writing. Participants were given the choice of a Celtic poem template to write a letter spoken from nature. Acronym writing was showcased by sharing the book The Lost Words by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris. It brings attention to the 20 words from nature that are no longer listed in the Oxford Children's Dictionary because children no longer use them in their everyday language.

Inspiration cards, created by local Indiana artist Victoria Williams Steen, were pulled, and personal intentions were set for the Forest Bath experience. In addition to the nature writing, the group was tasked to find objects that represented some aspect of themselves that would be used to create a group mandala at the end of the experience.

We closed our time with a Dandelion tea ceremony and shared our written messages from nature.

Writings from the Forest Bath

If Nature Could Speak, What Would She Say to Me?

——

Wandering

I am wondering if I am lost.

I am wondering if I am found.

I am wondering if these footprints

Will impress upon this ground.

I am not sure I am wondering at all.

I am wandering.

- Chris

——

I am the spider's web weaving my life's story.

I am the song of the cricket choir gently singing of Autumn.

I am the chartreuse leaf evolving into vibrant Yellow.

I am the texture of bark defining and protecting a majestic tulip tree.

I am the chirping song of the house wren tending to her nest.

- Jen

——

I am the colorful flower that pops out of the surrounding fields of green.

I am the seedling that blooms around the troves of green leaves and trees.

I am the shade of difference that breaks up the monogamous sameness known to most.

I am not the flower, yet it seems I am close.

- Layla

——

"If nature could speak, she would tell me to watch silently and wait. She would tell me to admire all her beauty. She would tell me that I am safe in her embrace. She would tell me that I have nothing to worry about when I am with her, for when I am with her, for a moment, I am allowed peace; I am allowed to take a break from all the stress and worries I may have. She would tell me that I can slow my breathing down and allow myself to feel whatever it is that I need to feel and say whatever it is that I need to say."

- Annie

——

Acrostic of Forest Bathing

Frogs

Openness/outdoors

Reciprocity

Energy

Sustenance

Trees

Balance

Acorns

Trunks

Hugs

Inviting

Natural

God/grounded

-Julie

——

"A Conversation Between the Forest and Me"

The Forest: Julie, my beautiful woman, I am so grateful that you have come to visit again. I have missed you.

Me: I have missed you too. Thank you for the welcome that you have provided to me today. It fills me with joy! You greeted me first with a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers along the path as I walked. The red leaves that are hanging in the branches of your trees remind me to stay grounded in you and to let my sorrow slip away for now. The strong bark on the trunk supports me in my neediness. The purple baubles that you draped across the small trees for my pleasure made me smile. The walnuts that you dropped along the path were a wonderful healthy snack for me. You provide! You bring joy! You ground me!

The Forest: I am always here. Come often. Stay long. I love you.

-Julie

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Gallery from Forest Bathing Experience