Grief is a way of holding on to love that we do not wish to renounce. The loss of something or someone we love can leave us feeling inconsolable. Even as we know that after the loss, the acute state of mourning will subside, something of the silent void will always remain. Akin to going on a pilgrimage, the journey of grieving is difficult and painful and what lies beyond cannot easily be fathomed
Knowing how to deal with loss is an essential ability. Each one of us will need it at some point. Loss is both a universal and a deeply personal experience. The world, the self, time - all feel out of joint. So how does one heal?
In this article we explore stories and activities from nature that can help us transform our grief and loss into meaningful actions. You will find useful ideas to express your emotions, reflect on your experiences, regain a sense of control, and honour the memory of the loved one.
Turning Sadness Into Kindness
The stormy dark clouds of sadness can feel menacing. Yet, in nature we find that the advent of these clouds bears fresh showers that replenish the parched earth. When our sorrows threaten to wash over us, we can work towards making them into harbingers of kindness that brings the blossoms of life to others.
Here are a few activities that help us transform grief and loss.
Mindful Mushroom Walk
When you enter the woods to search for mushrooms you have to be alert, silent, and calm. By being mindful of your steps as you walk in the forest gently, you can turn this simple activity into an exercise in mindfulness.
While observing the breath is a very common mindfulness exercise, people who are going through a difficult phase in life find it very challenging because of troubling thoughts. Therefore, we should start with other senses first, especially when introducing mindfulness to beginners. Our visual sense is our strongest sense. Turning to nature to discover its many treasures fills us with deep calm.
While mushrooms are typically associated with death and decay, they are in fact an integral part of renewal in the universal cycle of life. We recommend closing the mindfulness walk with a short mushroom circle meditation. Sitting in a circle of silence, the participants meditate upon the impermanence that permeates all things in nature – including our thoughts.
We have curated some more outdoor mindfulness activities for groups that you might find useful.
Creative Writing In Nature
Creative writing can be a helpful way to deal with grief for several reasons. Writing allows individuals to express their emotions and thoughts in a safe and private way. It can be challenging to find the right words to say when experiencing grief, but writing provides an outlet to put emotions into words and process them.
Here are some creative writing prompts to try on your nature walk. Choose the ones you feel comfortable with.
Write a letter to the person you lost, expressing everything you wish you could say to them.
Write about a specific memory you have of the person you lost, describing it in detail and how it makes you feel.
Write a story or poem about the stages of grief you have gone through and how you have coped with each one.
Write a tribute to the person you lost, highlighting their qualities and how they impacted your life.
Write about a place that brings back memories of the person you lost, describing it in detail and how it makes you feel.
Writing about grief allows us to reflect on our experiences and understand our emotions better. It can be a powerful tool for gaining insight into oneself and finding meaning in the loss. Grief can make individuals feel powerless and out of control. Writing provides a sense of control as it allows individuals to express their emotions and feelings in their own way and time. It is also a beautiful way to honour the memory of loved ones.
To read the complete list of activities, poems and how to share grief with others, please visit: https://healingforest.org/2023/03/28/how-to-let-go/
You’ll also be able to download the mushroom story and discover a forest film on letting go.
Loss is an inevitable part of the journey of life. In this journey, grief can usher in several invaluable lessons. It can teach us about the fragility of life.
Grief reminds us of the importance of our close relationships, urging us not to take them for granted. It takes us to a deeper appreciation for spending quality time with our loved ones and creating memories that can be cherished forever. It can teach us gratitude for what we have. Grief can bring home to us the realisation of our own resilience and inner strength to overcome challenges. It can prompt us to reflect on the meaning of our life, and strengthen our faith, thus becoming a catalyst for a transformation.
To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.~Mary Oliver, Blackwater Woods
Healing Forest is a volunteer run project. Our aim is simple. Helping people heal. Helping forests heal.
Do share this post so that it reaches where it’s needed. Especially after the pandemic, a lot of people would resonate with this post and may find it useful.
Beautiful, thank you