Before I leave town on Monday morning, I wanted to share a last minute (sorry!) opportunity to connect with one another and with nature. Tomorrow (Sunday) at 1:00 PM EDT, I’ll be offering a free one-hour Zoom forest bathing session just for long-haulers. If you think you might be interested, read on to find out more about what that will look like . . .
I plan to call in from my backyard or a local park, but if you aren’t well enough to be outside (or the weather prevents it), you can just as easily join in while lying down next to your favorite window or houseplant. You can choose whether to have your camera turned on or off. I’ll probably alternate between the two in the course of the call! I’ll begin by guiding you through a meditative exploration of your senses, and then I’ll offer a couple invitations or suggestions for ways that you can interact with whatever corner of nature you’re in. After each invitation, you’ll have the opportunity to share your experiences—or to simply listen in as others share theirs. We’ll end with a brief grounding meditation, and I’ll stick around for an extra fifteen minutes or so at the end in case anyone wants to chit chat.
Why do all of this? Forest bathing or spending mindful time in nature offers a host of benefits. It can lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, decrease cortisol levels, and improve cognitive function. For me, though, the reason that I return over and over to time in nature is much simpler: it feels good. It gets me out of my head. It makes me feel connected and alive. It reconnects me with my body in a way that feels healing. Sometimes it stirs grief, other times it stirs gratitude, but always it helps me to live more authentically into the present moment.
I would love to share this practice with you. If you would like to join, simply reply to this email, and I’ll send a Zoom link your way. (This extra step will hopefully help us avoid Zoom bombers.) Feel free to email me with any questions you may have, as well!
I hope to hear from many of you!
Lisa
Hi Lisa, not sure if I can make it, but I’d like to. Will you please send me an invite? It’s already very hot and humid here in central Texas. But there is a nature preserve one block from me with lots of shade, so that might be a good spot.
Hi Lisa I will be there. Can I connect on the phone or a tablet? Will you send a link? I can’t wait to meet you and all other now long time friends and together feel the benefit of the forest bathing session. Sofia x