Forest Bathing, Shinrin-yoku, at the Maine Coastal Gardens

By Janet Clement

This class on May 3, on an early foggy morning that burst into sunlight, wasn’t what I expected, but nevertheless a refreshing, rejuvenating adventure.

Burnt out from three relocations in just over a year, I was seeking/needing the

restorative phytochemicals of the trees and nature mentioned in the flyer and stated as the origin of this experience for stressed-out, distressed, and even suicidal Japanese in the 80s.

As a “Navy brat” and having been blessed by living in Japan for a year in the early sixties and attending a Japanese tea ceremony there, I jumped at the chance to sign up for this “Take Five” meditation workshop.

The local guide, trained in the Berkshires, began with group introductions and

an honoring of Native American words. As we began our walk, we were asked to

share our experience with a tree with another in the group. The stories were sweet

and interesting. Later, as we walked along, we were invited to use all our senses to

enhance our experience.

She eased chatty Americans into a slower and slower pace and finally into silence, and into a resting spot where she led a guided meditation. The 11 of us came from the north, south, and west of Maine – many over a two-hour drive away.

One of the women in the group, a trained guide herself, took off her shoes and walked barefoot on the piney, pebbly, root-crossed path, slightly damp from last evening’s rain. I peeled off my purple socks and stuffed them into my green Birk garden shoes. My lily-white feet squealed with delight as I felt the healing touch of Mother Earth.

The understory was a lush and beautiful green. Pines soared skyward. Rock

faces shone with moss. Sunlight warmed our faces. The vault of heaven felt

nearby as layers of stress peeled off and rose from our shoulders.

The walk concluded with drinking spruce tea from the tiniest Ball jars I have ever seen and munching on dock crackers, the guide had made layered with goat

cheese and blueberry jam.

I was delighted to learn of a way to use those pesky seeds that line many of our rural roads in late summer.

I thank The Garden Club of Wiscasset for this experience and the opportunity to share it.

For those interested, a second class will be held later in the year.