Altared Consciousness | A Natural Connection, by Rebecca Zendejas
“Attention is the beginning of devotion.” ~Mary Oliver
“Nature is not a place to visit, it is home."
~Gary Snyder
My earliest memory of connecting with Nature happened in a city, a big city; Mexico City. Decades before it was stylish, my grandmother Lita, lived in a ‘tiny house’ on the roof of a two story building in a busy neighborhood. Surrounded by other buildings, transmission poles with cables and parked cars below… What I remember is the scent of peppercorn trees that met the ledge on one side of the building. Delicate leaves were just within reach of my tiny hands when the morning breeze allowed.
Oddly enough, these days my morning view is quite similar. When I open the blinds of my home each morning I am surrounded by other buildings, transmission poles with cables and parked cars below. What I notice are the trees, the flowers, the birds and the squirrels. And when the off-shore breezes allow, the mountains.
With the blinds open, the morning continues quietly at my meditation altar which among other treasures, is decorated with feathers, stones, plants, driftwood and vessels of water. Nature is displayed with affection; gentle reminders of memorable excursions and the necessity to spend as much time as possible connecting with nature in its many forms.
During the pandemic I became aware of the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku, known as Forest Bathing. It sounded lovely, but given the circumstances and my limited understanding of it, I assumed that it was something I could only do when I had access to a forest, and I didn’t look into it further.
It wasn’t until recently, after seeing the movie “Perfect Days” by Wim Wenders, that I was reminded of Forest Bathing and became curious about it again. Inspired by ancient Shinto and Buddhist traditions, the term was created in Japan, as part of a 1982 public health initiative for urban dwellers that were spending little time in nature. Although the original recommendation was to experience it in an actual forest, the practice has evolved to include many settings where the natural world can be accessed. So, when I heard that Tamara Murray had become a Nature Therapy guide, I asked her if I could participate in her next Nature Connection.
“Next time is next time. Now is now”
~Hirayama in ’Perfect Days’
We met at a picnic table in a neighborhood park near the entrance of a popular trail. After brief introductions to each other, Tamara offered the first of several invitations during our time together: to share descriptions of our favorite sounds with someone we didn’t know, while we walked on the trail.
About five minutes later, we paused for an overview of what we would be experiencing for the next hour; as well as a short introduction to Nature & Forest Therapy and how it relates to Forest Bathing. We then continued our walk for a short distance, sharing descriptions of our favorite scents with a different trail buddy.
“Every Nature Connection experience has a similar flow, [modified for] the group, the setting, and the season. Invitations vary from mindful to playful, allowing [participants] to focus on the present and connect with nature in a way that feels authentic.”
~Tamara Murray
Our Nature Connection officially began with a circle of us in a small clearing. We were invited to find a spot to stand or sit, and observe our surroundings using all of our senses. We were encouraged to notice our breathing; to inhale slowly and deeply. At one point, I closed my eyes to give my other senses a chance to explore. When I opened them again, I immediately noticed too many shades of green to count. The experience had felt so intimate, that I felt shy when given the opportunity to share it with the others. The shyness didn’t last long though, due to Tamara’s ability to create a welcoming, friendly environment.
“We intuitively know that being outdoors and moving our bodies is good for us.”
~Tamara Murray
Tamara had brought a kalimba, or finger piano, and we took turns plucking the keys and chuckling before we participated in the next invitation: to wander slowly in the area, noticing what was in motion. Tamara demonstrated the howl she would use to call us back; asking us to return the call, to acknowledge that she had been heard. It reminded me of how I often wish to be a Wild Thing and I walked among the trees like Max seeking a Wild Rumpus. However, the oaks stood still and silent. One leaf, then another gently falling from the canopy to the ground. I was walking toward the sounds of the creek, anticipating an abundance of motion, when I heard the howl to return.
“...and the walls became the world all around…”
~Maurice Sendak
After a brief sharing, our next invitation was to seek and receive a treasure from the landscape. On my walk to the creek I found several items. When I heard the familiar howl, I was surprised that it was so faint. The sound of the water flowing over and through the boulders had been louder than I had realized.
At the circle, we exchanged treasures with each other. I was given a beautiful chunk of weathered bark with delicate shades of blue green that looked like the aurora borealis. Instead of pocketing our treasures, Tamara suggested returning them to the landscape with an offering; a strand of hair, water from a flask, a blessing… I chose to make an earth altar, including the other objects I had just found.
“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks”
~John Muir
When we returned for our final circle, tea and snacks had been laid out. After our time being in nature, it was time to invite nature into us. The first cup of tea was poured for the generous hosts of our morning; the seen and the unseen above our heads, surrounding our bodies and under our feet. The cup was emptied onto the earth before we took sips from our own cups. Tamara mentioned that some Nature Therapy guides harvest and make tea from the leaves of the locations that they visit. We enjoyed Good Earth hibiscus, rose & sweet berries tea with nibbles from Tri-County Produce. My sense of taste, which had been elusive earlier, appreciated the sweet and salty flavors of strawberries and plantain chips, while sipping warm, fragrant tea.
“Attention is the beginning of devotion.”
~Mary Oliver
Tamara introduced me to another way to connect with nature and with others. Our morning together reminded me of a time when I lived with friends in the foothills of Santa Barbara under oak, sycamore and laurel bay, with sages and ceanothus, near a creek that would flow all year long. We enjoyed each other's company while walking, sitting and nibbling; often planning our next Wild Rumpus. At the time I was unaware of Forest Bathing but those years spent connecting with each other in nature, cleansed and healed wounds I couldn’t yet articulate. In the process, a deep friendship with Nature that would anchor me throughout the years had also been formed. Our Nature Connection reminded me of this essential relationship and my ability to create new connections… naturally.
“Look deep, deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
~Albert Einstein
Additional resources for more information about Forest Bathing:
- Tamara Murray of Nature Connection Santa Barbara: https://www.natureconnectionsb.com
- Elena Rios: https://www.instagram.com/elenarios.innernature
- To find Forest Bathing guides outside of Santa Barbara: https://www.forestbathingfinder.com/ and https://www.anft.earth/guides
Meet the Author
Rebecca Zendejas has had a lifelong fascination with places of worship and the creation of sacred space within daily routines. Inspired by the celebrations of Samhain and Dias de los Muertos, in October of 2020 she created a Community Memorial Altar at Paradise Found. The public was invited to add the names of departed loved ones to the altar. In the years that have followed, it has become a beloved autumn ritual. As an artist and woodworker, Rebecca designs and creates one of a kind altars for the home, office and community spaces. She can be found on Instagram @zendohous or contacted by email: zendohous@gmail.com.
