Forest Bathing Walk – Saturday, March 1, 2025
8:30am Gathering
9:00am Walk begins and ends at 11:00am
Please Note our New Location of Emmenegger Nature Park
Contemplative Outreach “Soul Trekkers” invite you on a meditative walk through the woods.
Since we are intimately connected with nature this trek will help us identify similarities between ourselves and the woods. Our guide, for this inspiring trek, Colleen Baum is a professional arborist for over 20 years. Her instincts open us to relate to the depth of trees and how they empower us by their resilience in dealing with the winds and storms of life. Helping us to connect with our inner strength as well. While also listening to the wisdom of the forest in stillness, we will have the opportunity to be guided and participate in a centering prayer meditation.
- Just as We…the Trees…
- Respond to trauma
- Change as we do as needed
- Let go when they are powerless
- Set boundaries after wounding
- Turn toward their inner-selves to quiet
- Live and Let Live with love
- May the Forest Be with Us
Where we’ll meet
Emmenegger Nature Park
City of Kirkwood & Missouri Conservation Department
11991 Stoneywood Drive, St. Louis, MO 63122
The area is a wooded trail. Please wear shoes and pants prepared for “muddy conditions”. Bring back up shoes to change when finished. This is a flatter terrain and easier to traverse than our original selection of the Forest Park 44.
Gathering 8:30- 8:55am
Walk begins with a Welcome and an introduction by Colleen Baum at 9am and ends at 11am.
After registering, a confirmation email will be sent with all of the details included.
Notes to consider and a word of caution:
- This is a Moderate Trail for Hiking.
- Bring sturdy walking shoes for walking, water and perhaps protein bars.
- Please dress in layers to enjoy this nurturing walk guided by Colleen.
- It is the woods and we recommend bug repellent such as Deep Woods Off. However our recent cold spell may not necessitate this prevention step. (a plus side to the cold weather)
Any questions email susiebrentcostl@gmail.com
MARCH 1, 2025 – We apologize for the inconvenience.
Cost
Suggested contribution is $10 and may be paid at the event in check or cash.
A little history on the formation of the Soul Trekkers
In 2022 following a 7 day silent retreat in Snowmass, CO at St. Benedict’s Monastery, Jennifer Beeman, Heather Fricke and Susie Brent gathered with Jenny Adamson and Pat Johnson to discuss potential avenues for sharing the methods of centering prayer with the next generation. It was suggested to combine centering prayer with an activity such as yoga or art.
It was agreed upon that contemplative prayer may enhance and be enhanced by any activity that lends itself to a stillness in mind and heart, a joy within, and being truly present in each moment. The divine dwelling within can be communed with while hiking beneath the trees, free flowing with a favorite melody, exploring and creating in a favorite artistic medium, within the deep breath taken while settling into a yoga pose, energy breath work, or while listening to the draw of classical piano music. These are just some avenues to become more comfortable with simply being.
It is the Soul Trekkers intent to investigate the many branches of the Tree of Contemplative Practices combined with guided Centering Prayer meditation sessions to inspire exploration, joy, and connection in a fellowship of contemplative travelers. While centering prayer guidelines will be offered, any and all meditation disciplines are welcome. The goal is to embrace stillness and foster a relationship with the God within each of us and our true authentic selves. Come share in the beautiful intimacy that stillness in community has to offer.
