It was a month ago now that I embarked on a learning journey with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Training was held at Govinda Valley Retreat, right next to a rushing stream in a small town of Otford, between Woolongong and Sydney, near Royal National Park. The training was an incredible, immersive 8 day experience where I slept on the land, connected with the land, the space, and the other guides in training and trainers. We built such a beautiful little community with each other and we were all learning, growing and sharing with the land around us. There was such reciprocity and exchange and this was what I found so beautiful and deeply connective about being in this space and on this training. In the picture below I’m connecting with the tree here, giving it thanks for being here and asking what I can offer, how I can be in this space. A need for openheartedness arose and so this was my intention for the week. To engage with all beings, and with myself with openheartedness.
So much has happened since then! I’m sooo grateful for the learnings, the inspiration, the deep connections I built with my fellow learners and guides and also the connections I built and am continuing to build with the land and the other beings we share our experience with. With the onset of restrictions due to the COVID-19 virus at the end of our training, I returned to a completely new reality and I have been co-creating this new reality in each moment, embracing the changes as they unfold. I am so deeply grateful to everyone that has shared this journey with me and continues to journey with me. Two legged, four legged, winged, and leaf or frond filled, I love you all. Thank you You Min for the photos
