healingways
NATURE
CONNECTING WITH
THE POWER OF TREES
by S. Alison Chabonais
fuel, paper, shelter, recreation and space to commune with nature; and because they stretch from Earth to heaven, trees have been revered since before recorded time. Even with today’s technology, we still rely daily upon all of their products and we need trees to help counteract global warming and protect the planet. In her new book, Lives of the Trees, Diana Wells ex- plores the history of 100 distinctive tree species, from the versatile acacia to the long-lived yew, known in Japan as ichii, or tree of God. Wells notes that the Tree of Life appears in cultures worldwide, while individual trees have been considered sacred. She remarks that, “The words ‘tree’ and ‘truth’ share the original Old English word root, treow.” “Nothing
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contributes more to men’s long lives than the planting of many trees,” observed English writer and gardener John Evelyn as early as 1664. Scientists are even using cores from a 1,000-year-old Southeast Asian evergreen, the Fokie- nia hodginsii tree, to decode the climate history that affects us all. Every year, people around the world celebrate anew the complex living com- munities we call trees on World Forestry Day at the spring equinox (autumnal equinox in the southern hemisphere).
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Phoenix
ecause trees are larger and older than we can ever hope to be; because they provide shade, food, medicines, furniture, wood for musical instruments,
The Nature Walk
Joe H. Slate, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and author of
Connecting to the Power of Nature, offers a step-by-step
guide to an enriching walk in the woods as a gateway to self-empowerment. “It facilitates a positive interaction with nature that builds feelings of worth and self-assurance, while balancing and bringing into harmony the mind, body and spirit,” says Slate. He has field-tested the program for years, as a psychology professor, now emeritus, of Athens State University, in Alabama. He advises that walkers follow marked trails during daylight hours and allow plenty of time to soak in the experience. Joining hands before and after the walk also reinforces the expressed sense of purpose.
Step 1 – Formulate Goals
Prior to the walk, af- firm a commitment to no
more than three defined goals. Think of the forest as an enormous repository of
energy that is receptive to goals that may be as simple as experiencing the seren- ity and beauty of the for- est to foster better health, self-insight and career success.
Step 2 – Select a Forest
Select a safe forest setting with a trail for the
walk, preferably in the company of a partner or group that can add both protection and inter- active enrichment.
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