Infusion III

So, here we are with another beautiful week in Rhode Island. I know you are not all in Rhode Island, but feel that I am sharing the beauty of fall in New England with you in this moment.

When we talk about Benefactors or Caring Moments as a skillful means to evoke the qualities of our True Nature, we don’t always have to refer to another being. Recognizing deep connections with other people and animals can be a reliable way to evoke these qualities within us, but there are other ways that are just as effective.

Most of us have spent some time nature; walking in the woods, hiking in the mountains, sitting on the seashore, gardening in our backyards, or just resting in a park. We often feel at peace, at home, more at ease, or just more ‘grounded’ when we experience a connection with the natural world.

Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku in Japanese, is a therapeutic practice that involves spending time in a forest to improve your health and well-being. Here is how it is practiced:

• Turn off devices: Leave your phone and camera behind.
• Slow down: Walk slowly and aimlessly, letting your body guide you.
• Engage your senses: Listen to the birds, smell the forest, look at the trees, and feel the ground beneath your feet.
• Be present: Focus on the moment and avoid thinking about your to-do list or other worries.

This experience of feeling at home in the natural world reflects the fact that we recognize that we share our being with the natural world. The essence of what we are is the same as the essence of the natural world. When we allow the beauty of the natural world to be received into our awareness, we are practicing infusion on the most fundamental level of the body. It is almost as if we have been rooted in the earth, like a tree, and we suddenly became aware of that connection.

Perhaps you could engage in a little “Bathing in Nature” this weekend. The weather is nice! Immerse yourself in nature and let the peace of our mother earth infuse your being.