Forest Bathing Meditation

Forest Bathing (森林浴)

Shinrin-Yoku ('shinrin'=forest + 'yoku'=to bathe) was first developed in Japan in the 1980's as a therapeutic method to allow the body to have deeper relaxation through breathing in nature's positive qi.

Meditation while forest bathing is an excellent way to harmonize your body and soul for natural healing. Scientists have been conducting research on this to observe the effects which are beneficial for the human well-being.

The Serbian-American engineer and inventor from the late to early 20th century had knowledge on how the human brain and earth as part of the entire biological system work on the same frequencies. 

"Our entire biological system, 

the brain and the earth itself, 

work on the same frequencies."

-Nikola Tesla

So here's a guide for Forest Bathing Meditation. 

This includes mindfulness-walking, breathing, and visualization.

Preparation

• Choose a day with nice weather, when you have enough relaxed time to venture out into the nature.

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

• Bring a bottle of water.

• Option: Bring along your pet dog(s).

Step 1. As you approach a forest, walk a bit slower than usual to use your senses with more awareness. Notice what you see, hear, smell, touch, or sometimes possibly taste.

Step 2. Find a place in the forest where you can sit comfortably. It can be on a soft grassy area, tree stump, log, rock, etc. 

Step 3. Place your hands with the palms facing up and fingers relaxed. Keep your back straight for good focus and better circulation of energy through your body.

Step 4. Gently close your eyes and take a few normal breaths to relax your body and mind. Then go into deeper breathing by inhaling with 4 counts, then exhaling with another 4 counts.

Step 5. Visualize a stream of energy from earth entering into your body from the base of your spine, and energy from the forest atmosphere entering through your crown chakra and both hands, filling your whole body. Try to also feel the energy of the natural elements of where you are sitting.

Step 6. Give thanks and blessings to the clean air, water, soil, plants, flowers, and wild animals that are all part of the forest life. Feel the sunlight that gives them life-force energy. Become part of it - feel that you are well-grounded with safety and security, receiving the nurturing energy as beautiful gifts of Mother Earth to live more harmoniously.

Step 7. When you are ready, slowly bring your awareness to your physical body and its senses as you gently open your eyes.

As you take time to go deeper into meditation in the forest, your stress level will naturally go down, your thoughts and emotions will become more clear and calm, and your intuition will become stronger as you focus your awareness to your senses.

You can also practice other meditation methods while you're in the forest. 

Just remember to drink some water from time to time and keep your body well-hydrated.

The power of nature will assist with your meditation to multiply the positive effects for promoting your holistic well-being.

Wishing everyone beautiful moments of peaceful meditation ♡