Thanks for returning to the Potluck With Tonya Penrose table for another serving from Welcome to Charm character Nash Walker. He introduced you to forest bathing on his first visit. I invite you to take a few minutes and read the last three installments before joining him for this session.
To recap briefly, forest bathing was a new concept for me as I wrote Welcome to Charm. My fascination with the subject grew as Nash’s character engaged me. Since then, I’ve made it a regular practice to spend time under the protection and care of my tall friends.
Rather than explaining the concept and its many attributes, I will let Nash guide you from this point and invite you into the scene from the book where he teaches the fifth sense involved in his unique style of forest bathing with the character and botanist Abby Drake.
I’ll be back at the end to close out this week’s Potluck With Tonya Penrose.
Nash’s Turn…
“Hello again. As the Welcome to Charm* character, Nash Walker, I’m back for our next to last session on forest bathing. I hope you’ve had a chance to visit the trees and partake of their forest medicine. You were to experience them using the senses of sound, smell, sight, and taste. I’m introducing the sense of touch for your next adventure with the tall friends.
It’s one of the two T’s— Taste and Touch.
You know by now there many benefits to spending time with nature. Hanging out in the woods can improve health and elevate happiness and contentment. Blood pressure often drops as the serenity envelops you amongst the tall friends.
Feelings of well-being come as you share your affection with the trees. Giving and receiving are important parts of the experience.
So, join Abby and me in the woods as she’s meeting the fifth sense of touch with a tree of her choosing.
Again, this scene is an excerpt from the book Welcome to Charm. *
Don’t tell me I have to hug a tree,” Abby kidded. She followed Nash to a small clearing fifty yards away.
“You don’t have to do anything, but don’t be surprised if a wee hug happens. Let’s move to tree touching. Take that elm standing over there. In fact, let’s do it.” Nash grabbed Abby’s hand and led her to the elm. “Feel the bark.” He placed her hand against the trunk.
Abby touched the tree lightly and felt the tree’s bark seem to soften, receiving her affection. “She’s kind. I like this elm.” Abby gave the trunk a little pat. “Surprise on me. I like the touching sense a lot.”
“Then you ought to tap into touch first when forest bathing. In fact, anyone ‘embarking’ on forest bathing should choose which sense resonates strongest. For me, it’s sight on most visits. When I enter the woods, I’m looking for the tall friend who’s calling me to spend time. That’s the tree holding special gifts meant for discovery.
“I expect each communion with trees will feel different.” Abby touched the elm again, smiling. Next time, I’m going to engage in touching a different part of the tree. You know, get to know its parts.”
“Yes, that will make friendship with the tall friends extra special. Wait and see. Nash stepped back. We have one more sense left for you to meet and experience. It’s a profound one.”
“I’m a believer. My five senses merging with the trees have already made me a forest bathing devotee. I can’t wait to meet and experience the last sense.”
Nash here. Adding touch sense to your time spent with the trees should amp your overall experience and results. Things start to happen when your interaction with the tall friends includes this sensory exchange.
Pay attention to what sensations and thoughts come as you touch the leaves, blooms, a branch, and the trunk. Each part of a tree has a different voice and gift. And with these words, I hope to leave you awash in curiosity.
Until next time, and the sixth sense taps you, head outside. There are new buds of energy popping on our tall friends.
Thanks for partaking in another Potluck With Tonya Penrose.
Spring has sprung, and the trees are putting on quite an enlivening show. I’m called to be in the present moment whenever I'm outdoors. I pause and take in the beauty during this season. If I can touch a dogwood or cherry blossom, then my day is infused with appreciation.
Despite what’s unfolding in the world, my tall friends stand as a testament: “For everything, there is a season.” **
*Welcome to Charm, published by World Castle Books, May 2022. Excerpts are taken from the book.
Visit Charm and Nash and Abby here: https://mybook.to/ekvCA
**The Holy Bible: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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Another beautiful blog. I so appreciate that you make the point that nature, like human beings, are unlike. It's no surprise that one's relationship with each tree would bring forth different emotions or feelings.
Having just read one of your novels filled with puns, I'm wondering if "embarking" is one as well. :)
Another beautiful blog. I so appreciate that you make the point that nature, like human beings, are unlike. It's no surprise that one's relationship with each tree would bring forth different emotions or feelings.
Having just read one of your novels filled with puns, I'm wondering if "embarking" is one as well. :)
Loved Welcome to Charm. Such a special book.
Forest bathing is a fantastic practice. Happy Springtime! Thank you.