A Story,

TO HELP YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE WITH CARACOPIA

I weave what Nature offers us into all our senses. I lean heavily upon my heightened intuitiveness as a highly sensitive person. When I do so, I am aware of the collective needs of the group, and to your own needs as an individual. I see, feel and hear things on a bigger scale than most people do, or so my friends tell me. My goal is to utilize these hidden talents in order to help you feel safe. I want you to not only feel safe in Nature, but to feel safe with all that is inside you waiting to be noticed. I cannot do all the work for you, but I am happy to be your guide.

When a leaf drops I may bring to your attention its fragile state crunching beneath your feet. As our movement upon the wet earth releases a wonderful smell from the decaying matter of trees, it may bring up past memories for you. Maybe I’ll tell you that this is called duff, which makes up the wonderful sponginess that we walk on. Or maybe I’ll just lead you in a moment to breath the forest in deeply. And, as you do, I’ll draw your attention to the ground. Feeling your feet rooted with the trees and group of people standing beside you. It’s in the ground you can feel strength, trust and connection again. The power of your body holds you up and the wonderful consistency of planet earth’s gravity helps your feet stand upon its surface. It is especially amazing when you’re barefoot in the warmer months.

We walk slowly to give more time for noticing and relaxing. I will point out what I feel may help you come into the present moment. We may find hidden mushrooms under a fern, touch the different textures of tree bark, listen to the wind in the branches, discover an owl, or pause for a slug. When I do this I am purposefully inviting you to become present in the moment. You may notice how this erases the burdens and stresses you felt only moments before.

When I notice your shift into being-ness, I will draw you deeper still, allowing a chance for you to sense the silence within yourself. It may feel like floating on the clouds without resistance. It may feel surreal or meditative. This may be a place you have found it difficult to embrace before. But now, seeing what your guide sees and accepting her invitations, time and your noisy thoughts can give way to beauty, presence, and contentment.

This stillness offers you a safe and satisfying refuge. “Close your eyes.” I’ll venture. “What do you hear? What message do you need to receive from this bird today?” Then I’ll pause and allow you to do the work of giving yourself what only you know you need.

I may ask you then to open your eyes and gaze at this stream. Inviting you to picture everything you worry about to float away with the ripples on the water. This is where you do the inner work. This is where an altered state of being-ness may occur for you.

When the session comes to a close, I’ll ask you sit down as a group. I hope the person next to you smiles as I hand everyone a warm cup of tea brewed by the tree branches you helped me pick.

I’ll ask everyone if they want to help me leave a gift of thanks to the forest for our tea.

I hope everyone will nod their head. I may remind you of Nature’s goodness and pause to recognize how much Nature has given to us today and everyday. I may bring up how each cell is made up of ancient waters. All of these intentional statements are brought up to help you feel that if nature is inside you, then you belong here. And if that is true for you, then it is also true for everyone else.

We all belong in Nature.

As we walk out of the forest I might chuckle when I overhear you talking to a new friend wondering out loud, “Why can’t every day be a forest bathing day?”

Take care, until we meet again,

yours always,

<3 Cara