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Forest Bathing: A Sacred Saunter
September 24, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join us for a special session of forest bathing at Transfiguration Preserve. Sunday “sacred saunters” provide space for contemplation and reflection in nature, opening and closing with a sharing circle. This event will be led by Dr. Mattie Decker and will allow plenty of space for individual exploration in ways that respect each person’s unique needs.
“People ought to saunter – not hike! Do you know the origin of that word ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, “A la sainte terre,’ ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these [trees] are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.”- John Muir
Mattie is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide. She is also a Zen practitioner, an Episcopal oblate, and a retired education professor, and she is certified in wilderness first aid. This event is one of our monthly forest bathing walks. Forest bathing is a practice from Japan that has been gaining attention in the West. Forest bathing is not about getting exercise. It’s not about hiking to get somewhere. It’s about being present in the forest, taking it in. It’s about creating relationships between humans and the more-than-human world.
Space is limited and registration is required by RSVP below. RSVP will close at 12:00 p.m. on September 21st.
*Transfiguration Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group). Thank you.
Donations are not required and the amount of your gift is entirely up to you. A donation of $30 is suggested for forest bathing walks, for those who are able. Donations of $35 or more will include Conserving Carolina membership benefits.
LEARN MORE ABOUT FOREST BATHING
RSVP below
RSVP will close at 12:00 p.m. 9/21/23
To cancel your RSVP, please email drmattie.decker@gmail.com or call: 828-333-3508.