norwegian sage

”When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

- Viktor E. Frankl,
(austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, philosopher)

Forest Therapy as a Remedy for Deep-Rooted Conflict
Forest Therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to “forest bathing.” The practice is built on a combination of Zen meditation, psychotherapy, restorative justice, nature connection, and wilderness guiding,

Forest Therapy is an open-ended practice. There is no prescription for what a person "should" experience, or what benefits they "should" receive. We move through a clearly defined sequence of guided events that provides structure to the experience, while embracing the many opportunities for inspiration and breakthroughs offered by the forest and the individual facilitation of the guide.

The role of the guide is to lead the way into tailored spaces that hold the therapeutic benefits of the natural realm. Through sensory invitations, our tendency to make decisions from the left-brain is counter-balanced with an equal amount of right-brain intuitive activity. Once reconnected to the primal intelligence of the forest, we are brought back to a state of homeostasis and balance - from where we can make better decisions for ourselves, our family and our community as a whole.

How does it work?
A minimum of three sessions is recommended for experiencing the depth of benefits that the forest has to offer. We spend less time going into the details of the conflict in question, and more time connecting to the deep breaths and clarity of the present moment. In advance of the session, we create an overarching intention for our time together. We also make a specific intention to connect with nature in a deeper way. This requires mindfully moving through the landscape in ways that cultivate presence, opening our senses, and actively communicating with our inner and outer nature. The sessions last for around three ours and end with a fire/tea ritual.

Deep Listening
The power of forest therapy lies in its stillness - and the space that is created to calm the parasympathetic nervous system and practice deep listening - to our self, our surroundings and each other. In the circle of equals we commit to show up with our whole selves, and witness reality from many angles. The participants are encouraged to limit their sharings to their experience in the present moment. This way, we let go of what is not necessary for the resolution of the conflict and open new rooms for solutions-oriented streams of awareness. When we open to listening, we find the medicine that is needed for our tension and conflict to transform.

“Consciousness can incorporate increasingly complex levels of perception through the practice of deep listening,” - Ben Page, Director of Training for the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT)

Council
Council is a deep and effective communication practice which has been used for generations, traditionally in indigenous cultures. In its simplest form, Council involves a group of people gathered in a circle for a conversation about a specific topic. Each person within the circle is given an opportunity to share spontaneously with the whole council, while being attentively and respectfully listened to, without judgement by all members. It is important to feel safe enough to share our heartfelt truths without the fear of contraction. A commitment to integrity and confidentiality creates a safe and accepting place to express for all participants. We recognize that each person has a voice and wisdom that should be given the opportunity to be heard, felt and witnessed.

A research-based approach
Forest Therapy is a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments. In addition to inter-personal and inter-relational benefits, studies have demonstrated a wide array of personal health effects, especially in the cardiovascular and immune systems, and for stabilizing and improving mood and cognition. We build on those benefits and look beyond, to what happens when people remember that we are a part of nature, not separate from it, and are related to all other beings in fundamental ways.

Forest Therapy has been shown to reduce indicators of stress and anxiety, improve mood and immune system functionality (our innate ability to fight viruses, infections and even cancer). Another study considered both physiological and psychological effects, measuring systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse rate (PR), autonomic functions, and profile of mood states (POMS). Read more about the research here.

About your guide
Caroline Hargreaves has been working in the field of conflict resolution, political communication and natural therapies for over 12 years. As a diplomat for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she served in the Section for Peace and Reconciliation where she gained valuable experience from the peace processes in Colombia, Afghanistan, Nepal and the Philippines. She was also engaged as an election observer in Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Caroline holds an MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from University of St. Andrews and an MSc in Humanitarian Crises from London School of Economics (LSE) and has completed the Norwegian MFAs Aspirant Programme. She is the founder of Norwegian Sage, a platform for regenerative leadership and healing arts.

Get in touch for more information or an informal conversation.

“Shinrin-yoku is like a bridge. By opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and the natural world. And when we are in harmony with the natural world we can begin to heal. Our nervous system can reset itself, our bodies and minds can go back to how they ought to be. No longer out of kilter with nature but once again in tune with it, we are refreshed and restored.”
- Dr. Qing Li

“What we are talking about here are very subtly varying techniques for working with where you are stuck. The doorway is through the heart, because through the heart love flows. The mind creates boundaries.”
- Ram Dass