There’s a plantation at the back of Drum Hill scout camp, three miles from my door. Ten acres of pine, maybe less. A footpath runs straight through the middle of it. I’ve known it since my shamanic apprenticeship in the nineties — it was one of the first patches of ground I was ever sent out into alone. I remember one session vividly. Dusk, early training, and I’d walked up to sit in the trees…

There is a lot of talk about “forest bathing” online at the moment.  It refers to the notion that you ‘immerse’ yourself in nature, you ‘soak it up’ and benefit from nature’s relaxing, healing powers.  It’s a wonderful idea – I love it and fully endorse it.  But I also know that for some people the idea seems a bit foreign.  Walk in nature; sure.  Sit in nature; ok.  Bathe in nature; hmmm… When…

‘Komorebi’ – sunlight filtering through leaves

Light through the leaves of a kohekohe grove in Waikanae, Kapiti Coast. C. Knight

As part of my literature review for my book exploring the connection between nature and wellbeing in New Zealand, I have been reading Shinrin-yoku: The art and science of forest-bathing, by Dr Qing Li, who has researched the subject extensively in Japan.

In describing the Japanese experience of spending time in a…

Can you help? The connection between nature & wellbeing

I see that a focus of this year’s Mental Health Awareness week was ‘Letting nature in’, encouraging New Zealanders to get out and connect with nature, in light of its proven benefits for mental and spiritual wellbeing. (A survey undertaken by the Mental Health Foundation last year found that 95 per cent of New Zealanders reported a lift in mood after spending time in nature.)

This must be…