Forest Bathing with Eve

With not a swimsuit in sight, nor a lake or a pool the Horizons Research team took an afternoon out in Edinburgh for an afternoon of forest bathing at Lauriston Castle.

Fully weatherproofed for Scotland (i.e. dressed for all four seasons) and with open minds we met Eve at the entrance to the castle, where explained what awaited us.

We walked slowly and in silence across the castle grounds, breathing , listening and feeling the air rush against our skin….we made photo frames with our fingers to process the amazing views, which changed with even the slightest movement was breathtaking.  

We explored the Japanese garden with magnifying glasses – to see things so close and the detail in such small things – from leaves to flowers to how dainty a strand of grass is…. What an experience.

We mindfully ate a raisin – that was a first for us all- they glisten in the sunlight you know! We walked through some trees and used our sense of touch, appreciating the long grass, tree textures and leaves. I may have wrapped my arms around a tree.

We sat in an enclosed forest space and gathered 3 things that had fallen on the forest floor and held them in our hands and breathed in the scent of the forest – it was so peaceful hearing the wind rustling and hearing the birds in the background.

To finish, we found a spot on the far side of the castle where we lay down on mats and listened to Eve deliver the most relaxing meditation to finish. We pressed pause from our work and home lives for an afternoon. It was pure bliss!