Shinrin-Yoku, Seeking Stillness in Nature
Tags: Japanese, Mental Health, Nature, Personal Development, Wellness

I recently traveled to the mountains in Colorado and hiked in nature almost every day with the intention to find this inner peace and clarity that everyone seems to boast about. I wanted to first-handedly experience the benefits that shinrin-yoku practice promises.

Self-reflecting and guidance from mentors have coerced me to face my childhood traumas and its impact on my current behaviors. It has allowed me to step out of victim mentality towards creating peace with past events and constructing my crucibles as lessons to be learned.

By immersing myself in this nature-therapy that Japanese philosophy swears by for achieving inner personal freedom, I was able to further manifest my intentions and put a couple of things into perspective. The goal of this trip was to let go of the idea of victimizing myself by connecting deeply with my thoughts and emotions. Nature was simply a medium in helping me achieve a peaceful environment in which to contemplate.

Along with achieving my above-mentioned goal. These were some of my other realizations:

Reminder Of Insignificance

I stood in awe as the peaks of numerous grand mountains towered above me, amongst which I felt trivial. Without even seeking the state of mindfulness, my senses were more perceptive to the chirping of birds, the chilly breeze, splatters of water hitting my skin from the pressure of falling from the peaks to the ground. I could clearly hear my inhales and exhales and heart pulsing as I started to notice a flood of emotions starting to consume my body. It was a strange reunion of my internal body with the external environment, something that I had never felt before. It was all too sacred for me to translate into words, but I felt insignificant, still, and humbled — while filled with the sentiments of being powerful and unstoppable.

Ryan Holiday in his book Stillness is the Key mentions,

“Stillness is what aims the archer’s arrow. It sharpens perspectives and illuminates connections.”

There in the foothills of Colorado’s mountains, I stood as evidence that shinrin-yoku is a magical concept.

Being in the Moment

To stop my mind from thinking about uncertainty around the future is a task as difficult as quitting caffeine. I can do it, but it requires a lot of self-control, effort, and perseverance. I love coffee as much as ruminating on future goals and getting anxious over it.

Mountains act as a source of comfort and inspiration, teaching me to reside in the moment. The key is unplugging from technological devices when on hikes and truly observing your surroundings. Often when trudging our way through life, we forget to appreciate moments right in front of us.

The gift of mindfulness by being in nature is a reminder to slow down and direct all my attention to one moment only — the present. Being in the present means non-judgmental awareness of my thoughts, where I am not reacting to it, pushing it away, or trying to brainstorm solutions around it. Just truly being with it.

We are all Connected

The depth of similarity in human beings with each other and with other species is mind-blowing. This realization is constantly reinforced by being in nature. The sharing of the same moon and sun across the globe is a constant reminder that we are all connected, despite being thousands of miles apart.

As I see swaying leaves on the trees and the peaks towering over me, I am reminded that these landmarks have been standing since the beginning of time — resilient, adapting to whatever situations that have been forced upon mankind.

Throughout history, the world has faced multiple challenges, and somehow life is still continuing. Somehow, we have managed to overcome even the biggest of difficulties towards advancement — a reassurance that is much needed in modern times with ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and a corrupt political system.