FOREST BATHING SESSION #2

Potluck With Tonya Penrose

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 read that installment 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 forest bathing and its many attributes, I will drop you into the scene from the book where Nash teaches the third 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.

It’s time to savor a hearty serving of tree-giving amazement.

“Hello again. As the Welcome to Charm character, Nash, I hope you’ve had a chance to visit the trees since my last visit. You were to experience them using the senses of sound and smell. This time, I’m introducing the sight sense for your next adventure with the tall friends.

Did you know there’s a plethora of benefits to spending time with nature? Hanging out in the woods can improve health and overall well-being. Best of all, the effects are instant and cumulative. And something else, expect your body, emotions, and spirit to show you appreciation during each visit. The benefits come as you share in the exchange with trees. You're giving and receiving and so are they. In this case, time is your friend.

Do a bit of research on forest bathing before standing under the trees again. You’re results will amplify with knowledge.

So, let’s explore how to use the sense of sight the next time you are under the trees canopy. Here’s the excerpt from the book, Welcome to Charm where I companioned Abby into the woods for a dosing of tree sight therapy. Consider this your instructional guide.

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NASH AND ABBY’S EXCHANGE FOLLOWS:

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“Abby, let’s prepare you for more tree amazement. We’ll focus on the sense of sight now. Treat yourself to a few cleansing breaths and take in all the trees around you.

Notice how their branches are shaped and how leaves seem to thrive on one branch more than another. Observe how the wind and trees interact. Is there a lesson here?

Seeing the trees in this more intentioned way delivers an energy-filled encounter. Note how your eyes relax as you observe nature’s show on a deeper level. Seeing your world as a safe sanctuary allows the benefits to come immediately.

“Okay, allow your eyes a few more blinks and settle on something particular about one tree. It could be a leaf responding to the breeze or the solidness of the trunk. You’ll feel the pull to what that is. Stay with it and clear your mind of all thought.”

For the next minutes, gaze softly on that something. If you feel drawn to merge with it, do so. That makes for a pretty incredible experience. This happens when your vibration matches or merges with the object of your attention.

Don’t fall into the trap of trying to analyze the meaning of my words. Just keep observing and doing gentle and shallow breathing. Now, let the gift of forest sight work its magic. Slip into a kind of open-eyed meditation. Just be. I’ll call you back to the Now in twenty or so minutes.

Abby, it’s time to return to the scene around you. I’m curious. What did you settle on?

My eyes landed on the tree next to the oak. It’s the one with an interesting above-ground root display. The roots twisted and wrapped around each other in a free-form design. Yet, as I went deeper into the observing, the vision became a form of abstract meditation. I saw their inner dependence, which carried over to me and my life’s inner dependence. Co-existing feels very different now. Forest bathing sure delivers the unexpected.

And the unexpected you can expect each time you spend time with your tall friends. These amazing interactions will continue and keep informing your life. Wait and see. Just keep honoring the practice and grow with your new friends.”*

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Nash here with you…

I always say forest gazing is a sight to behold. I invite you to go meet your tree and find out what it offers. Consider journaling about your forest bathing outings. After all, you’re building a lifelong relationship with tall friends.

That’s it for this visit. I still have three more of your senses to engage in the future.” NASH

I’m back to put the lid on this week’s Potluck With Tonya Penrose. I thought that by sharing Nash and Abby’s encounters with forest bathing, you could grasp the how-to more easily.

Each time you have the intention to forest bathe, you’ll refine and refresh your routine. As your interaction with the trees deepens and becomes more meaningful, you’ll crave time with them. And why not? It’s free. It’s health-giving. It’s awe-inspiring. It’s spirit enlivening.

I’ll leave you with this quote and my thanks for reading this week’s newsletter.

*Welcome to Charm, published by World Castle Books, May 2022. Excerpts are taken from the book.

Visit Charm here: https://mybook.to/ekvCA

****Additionally, a pitch package is available from World Castle Books to Movies for interested producers or filmmakers. ****