Reflections on my First Sit Spot Experience


This is the place where I sit. It’s a comfortable little place.



I am using the guidelines that the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy provides for “sit spot” in my guide certification course:

https://www.natureandforesttherapy.earth/

“Sit Spot 

Sit spot is a core practice in Forest Therapy and many other nature connection practices. 

Frequency: Two to three times per week for 20 min or more. There may be weeks when you visit your sit spot every day and weeks when it is hard to do sit spot even twice. Do the best you can. The purpose of sit spot is to deepen your own nature connection, which is vital to guiding authentically and partnering with the forest. 

You may go directly to your sit spot or find that you prefer to wander for a while and then sit. Or perhaps the opposite works for you and you like to sit and then wander. However you do sit spot will be the right way for you. When at your sit spot, you may notice that after about twenty minutes, the forest returns to its natural rhythm. The creatures come back and are accepting of your presence in a wonderful way. They've had time to check you out and decide that you are not there as a predator. Savour this as it unfolds. 

Selecting A Sit Spot 

Select a sit spot that is close by and comfortable. Your front stoop or a spot in your back yard or near your home will do just fine. It is often tempting to select a beautiful spot that you have to drive to but the reality is that this will likely prevent you from getting to your sit spot frequently enough. If you are having a hard time choosing between sit spots then select one as your main sit spot and save the other locations for when you have time to visit them. 

General points about sit spot:

  • Somewhere that is convenient to get to so you can visit repeatedly (for some it might serve to create a natural space near a window if conditions prevent going outside.  This space can be decorated with house plants and maybe even a tiny water feature.)
  • Safe.
  • The more biodiverse the better.
  • 20 minutes or more.
  • Just sitting is enough.
  • Keep a journal. Some people do this while at the sit spot; others prefer to do it after, or in the last 5 minutes or so of the sit, so they are not distracted from noticing what is happening nearby. Journals can take many forms: written, sketched, poetry, prose, photos, voice recordings, videos, collected objects, etc. If you wish you can come back to this lesson and upload images or videos of your journal. It's not required but we would enjoy seeing them.

Here are some things you might journal about:

  • Nature observations: temperature, what direction is the wind blowing, what sounds are the trees and other plants making, clouds, animals and birds, especially behaviors.
  • Internal observations: thoughts, moods, inspirations, insights. Stories that are running in your mind.
  • Body sensations: inventory all your senses. What is vivid? What is subtle? Notice your body. What is happening in your heart region? If you close your eyes and focus on your heart what images appear?
  • Imaginal adventures: What unseen world do you sense around you? How do you feel it, where in  your body? What images appear in your mind's eyes of this world? Does it seem to interact in any way with the seen world and the events taking place? 
  • Reciprocity: Are you moved to express yourself, to dance or sing? Do any songs or poems come to you, given by the beings around your sit spot? Perhaps this is how the land is asking you to give of yourself.
  • Space and time: what do you notice about you perceive space (near and far) and time while you are at your sit spot? Does the flow of these things change?
  • The story of the day: What story unfolds? Some people time their sit spot by waiting for a story to occur. Does a Raven chase a hawk away? Does a bobcat or fox slink by? Do you suddenly notice after 15 minutes or so a tiny yellow flower growing in front of you? Using your imaginal sense, what messages do you receive?”



This is the forward view from my spot. I like it.


I created a little trail to my spot that takes me under the tree branches and off of my lawn into the woods. It is a quiet place, not close to the road or other houses.



This is the approach to my spot, nestled between two trees.

Here is a link to my thoughts after my first experience: https://youtu.be/MJNLVuI1asU

 

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