For me heritage is no one place but anywhere where I find trees. The source of deep meditative restoration to my soul. And the very breath of life.
The Daily Post challenge – Heritage
trees.
Shinrin-yoku
Art, blogging, books, Life, trees, wellbeing
I was entranced to discover there is a word for the feeling of well being I share with millions of you – Shinrin-yoku, a Japanese term that means “forest bathing”. The idea being that spending time in the forest and natural areas is good preventative medicine, lowering stress. Allelochemic substances ‘phytonicides’help slow the growth of fungi and bacteria. When humans are exposed to them, these chemicals are scientifically proven to lower blood pressure, relieve stress and boost the growth of white blood cells. garlic, onion, pine, tea tree and oak are all examples of plants emitting phytonicides.
When we walk in Scotland, we spend most of our time simply being in the landscape, enjoying the feeling of well-being that we both find there. I take lots of photographs there and these inform much of what I do when I am creating both illustration and the handmade books. I go back to those photographs time and again, both to recreate the feeling of creativity, and to inspire new designs. Just browsing through my back catalogue provokes a feeling of joy, remembered tranquillity and when I am in a slump of not knowing how to move forward, I take a step back and invariably come across something to make the spark reignite.
Today I rediscovered these woods, and immediately I am reminded of the wonderful treatise by Herman Hesse on the sanctuary of trees. I breathed a sigh of recognition when I first read his words – they are beautiful – I can only urge you to find a copy.
You can find the essay online here ; Herman Hesse Wandering
In the meantime, don’t forget to get some time in to shinrin-yoku
Parkland in Metropolis
Art, blogging, trees
parkland in metropolis
Walking – one step in front of another, and the trees bend one way then another , whispering , living lives of mystery beneath my feet. I love the dialogue I have with these forebears. I cannot remember a time when I didn’t notice the living companions growing beside me, I only remember how bleak it was when I lived for a time in a concrete jungle, because it was the cheapest housing.
Trees have long thoughts,
conservation, earth, trees
‘Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach, undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life.’
We came across the beauty and magic of Glen Affric last year, and it was am experience I will never forget. I know I will return because it will pull me back – I haven’t spent enough time in the company of the flora and fauna there.
When I came across this project, http://treesforlife.org.uk/work/woodland-projects/ I was delighted – it is an inspired and inspirational effort that deserves our attention , and our care! I hope you go over to the YouTube link as it is breathtaking.
The Sanctuary of Trees.
Art, illustration, Life
Inspired by my niece living in Rome, I was reminded of the beautiful words of Hermann Hesse writing about the life force that trees inhabit and share with all of us. My niece is a couple of decades younger than myself, but already steeped in the wisdom to practice the habit of thinking what to be grateful for in her life. I share her joy in trees. Below is a digital image of a photograph taken five years ago in Christchurch, England. A wonderful English summer day spent within the magic of a copse of ancient trees overlooking the sea. Bliss. 
moving in time 
