Episode 10 – Forest Bathing: Cultivating Connection with Nature and God with Kim Van Natta
SPECIAL OFFER | As a listener of the show, you can get 25% off Deb Gregory's new book, Spiritual Wayfinding (www.ivpress.com/spiritual-wayfinding) , by using the code IVPOD25 at checkout at ivpress.com. We hope you enjoy this season!
Overview
Discover how forest bathing—an intentional immersion in nature—can deepen your spiritual life and boost your physical health. In this episode, Kim Van Natta, a spiritual director and certified forest therapy guide, shares insights on engaging all your senses outdoors to experience divine connection.
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Main topics:
• The essence of forest bathing and its physical health benefits, including immune boosting through phytocides
• The spiritual significance of engaging with creation as a means of connecting with God
• Practical guidance on how to participate in a forest bathing walk and incorporate it into your spiritual practice
• The biblical basis for nature as a pathway to divine encounter, supported by scripture references
• The emergence of Wild Church as a community of outdoor believers rediscovering sacred space in creation
In this episode:
• How trees release healing chemicals that support immune function and reduce stress
• The history and development of shinrin yoku in Japan and its global adoption
• The relationship between embodiment, senses, and spiritual awareness
• How to create your own forest bathing experience, regardless of location or season
• The role of silence, shared presence, and sensory invitations in deepening spiritual mindfulness
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to forest bathing and its health benefits
02:00 - The physical and spiritual 'rest' offered by engaging with nature
03:30 - Exploring the biblical and scientific foundations of nature as divine gift
05:00 - The historical origins of forest bathing in Japan and its global spread
07:00 - Practical steps for doing a forest bathing walk and sensory engagement
10:00 - How biblical scriptures illuminate our connection to creation and God
13:30 - The role of Wild Church and outdoor communities in spiritual renewal
16:00 - The scientific evidence of phytocides' effects on immune health
18:00 - Embodiment and sensory awareness as pathways to divine presence
20:00 - How to start your own practice of forest bathing today
42:00 - Guided natural mindfulness practice: Experience the Pleasure of Presence
Resources & Links:
Spiritual Wayfinding: 33 Walking Meditations for Navigating Life with Embodied Wisdom (www.amazon.com/dp/1514011964)
Wild Church Network (wildchurchnetwork.org/)
Church of the Wild by Victoria Louris (amazon.com/Church-of-the-Wild-Victoria-Louris/dp/XXXXX)
Rewilding with Mary DeYoung (waymarkers.org/rewilding)
Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (foresttherapyassociation.org/)
Connect with Kim Van Natta: Website (transformingexperiences.org/)
Connect with Deb Gregory:
• Flourish Contemplative Center (www.flourishspiritualdirection.com)
• Substack (spiritualwayfinder.substack.com/)
• Instagram (www.instragram.com/spiritualwayfinding) / Facebook (www.facebook.com/spiritualwayfinding)
May this episode inspire you to slow down, open your senses, and experience God's presence in the sacred space of creation.
