Nature has always been there to offer me its supportive presence, loving embrace and deep inherent wisdom, even at times when I was not consciously aware of it. As I travel back in time to my childhood years growing up in the outskirts of Lake Macquarie, NSW, surrounded by the expanse of the Australian bush, […]
The earth seems to be shifting under our feet. Nothing seems certain, and it’s easy to let our anxieties and fears grow. That is, if we focus on human affairs only. Because out there, in nature, the world is going on. Lives are born and lives end. Trees that are already hundreds of years old, […]
I recently introduced the ‘sit spot’ practice to Shinrin-yoku forest bathers on a guided walk. Curious as to what this means, I explained the ancient practice of finding a place of intimate connection with nature – a place where you learn to sit still – alone, often and quietly — as well as playfully explore […]
It’s a crazy week. Everything has to be PERFECT, on-time, on budget – or on credit card! We are on auto-pilot. We cannot unplug. Or can we? I should know. As a driven career woman and mum I juggled all the Christmas balls I had during the season. The in-laws were coming to Christmas lunch. […]
I have found ‘nature’ to be one of the common denominators in people’s healing journey. Physical healing aside, the natural world is where we have always gone in times of celebration and grief. It’s a place to find peace and wisdom. We all know intuitively that nature provides healing, refuge, peace and clarity. Is this […]
For a lot of us, our connection to nature is critical to our sense of peace, happiness and even purpose. But as we hurry, worry and scurry through the urban landscape of our modern lives, how do we connect to nature? Most of us can’t sit still for even a few minutes. The practice of […]
On a cold and gloomy Sunday morning, my group of friends stood in a circle under a gum tree, looking at me with slight curiosity. I had led many hikes with them in various beautiful places in Victoria. But Forest Therapy? In my introduction, I explained that Forest Therapy derives from the Japanese “Shinrin-yoku;” the […]
I am bothered by this noisy little thing fluttering around me. Its mate now joins in to pester me. I am four times their size, but they persist. All I want is to pick at this this tree, hoping to find something tasty for dinner. But they will not stop. Now this woman passes by. […]
Last night a huge thunderstorm swept across Melbourne. As showers continued into the day, I decided to go to my sit spot. The little purple flowers were drenched in rain, the droplets glistening as they held on to the stems. The streams were full again, ducks happily swam along the creek. As I walked across […]
It’s now quiet. I notice a butterfly and another and another… vigorous flight over the tall grass alongside the creek. All the sounds of the birds are quietening, as the sun’s rays, and heat, penetrate through the tree canopy. Morning gives way to a sunny afternoon. It had been a long, wet winter. Sitting here […]
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