Sacred Walk In the Forest

Every step felt like walking on sacred ground.

I was slowed in my pace, noticing every step.
Every time I closed my eyes, I was brought to tears.

A humbleness in the forest is what I felt.

Such presence.
Such humility.
Such sacredness.

I didn’t feel pain while I was there.

It felt ancient, and beautiful, and amazing.

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I’ve been on an incredible adventure this week! I’m enjoying some time being disconnected from the day-to-day, staying in an adorable little cabin not far from the base of Mt. St. Helens in Washington. I love being outside in the trees, and there is nothing like the experience of the forests in the Pacific Northwest.

Having lived in Oregon for 14 years, I had the privilege of enjoying some of the most incredible hiking the U.S. has to offer. It’s a magical place—especially the rainforest of the Columbia River Gorge.

Many weeks ago, at the Iceland Writers Retreat, someone asked: What is your favorite thing or favorite outdoor place? I remember saying that hiking in the trees was my favorite. Yet, I couldn’t name a specific hike. I’ve done so many, and it’s always just the experience that adds to my collection of moments in nature. 🥾

Yesterday, that changed. I experienced what I can only describe as a Sacred Forest. Sometimes, when we least expect it, the most incredible things happen.

The day before, we hiked along the Lewis River, and I didn’t think anything could beat that experience. The lush vegetation, the incredible waterfalls, and the peace and quiet of the trail—I felt complete. And it was only the first day.

Then yesterday, we headed out on part of the Toutle Trail near the base of Mt. St. Helens. An inconspicuous trail begins climbing a hillside, and I thought, What is this going to be? Then, we arrived at the top—a field of lava rock covered in wildflowers with a view of Mt. St. Helens that looked like a postcard.

It took my breath away: the white flowers against the dark lava rock, with a snow-covered mountain in the background. 🏔️ It was stunning.

While hiking on lava rock isn’t my idea of a good time, there was such beauty in the landscape. I was awestruck by Mt. St. Helens, yet I had to keep my eyes down, watching every step. My knee wasn’t feeling great, either.

After about a third of a mile on the lava rock, we emerged into this beautiful green space and entered a forest of stillness. There were a few enormous old-growth trees, but otherwise, it seemed like a typical forest—full of trees.

Yet the further we ventured in, the slower I walked. I kept stopping, closing my eyes, and breathing to feel the trees. Every time I did that, it felt like a portal of energy moved through me—and I was brought to tears.

Humility was the word that kept arising as I took in the stillness of this forest. I’ve never felt such beauty in a forest. I wish I could find words, but some experiences defy language. It just was.

The trees called me to stop many times. I found myself standing in between them, noticing I could feel their toroidal fields—and that they could feel mine. I had the inclination to stand tall, to let my knees support me, to stretch and find space. It was magical.

I tried to walk faster to catch up with my friend, but my body wouldn’t let me. My walking was slow, and in every step, it felt like I was walking on sacred ground. I noticed the earth beneath me. I could feel the earth.

And I thought, This must be what all those walking meditations are supposed to feel like! 😊

On the walk back, I simply allowed the slowness—the pace of noticing every step. The awareness of every tree watching me, as I noticed every tree.

I didn’t want it to end.

I could have stayed there for a very long time… even with the mosquitos! 😂

I thanked the forest as I left and vowed to return someday. She felt ancient to me, with a presence I still can’t name. In quiet moments, I asked who she was or what I was meant to know. There were no words, no messages—only presence.

A reminder of presence.

To be so fully present that you notice each moment, each step, and all that surrounds you.

I’m grateful for her gift. And as I write this a day later, I realize the gift is available all the time:

The gift of being so completely present with your environment that you feel the sacredness that exists everywhere, all the time.

When we can slow down enough…

to notice it,
to feel it,
to honor it,
to experience it—

we are experiencing oneness.

Oneness is beautiful, and it can happen with anything, anywhere. We can experience oneness with the trees, with our friends, with our families.

It’s an awareness of the connection between us all—and the love that flows like wind through the trees.

May you find oneness within the presence and possibility of each moment.

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I help conscious seekers break free from hidden patterns and step into the life their soul is here to live. You can learn or work more with me in a variety of ways:

1. Align Your Life Coaching - Coaching for clarity, healing, purpose, and real transformation.

2. Online Course: Live a More Balanced Life - A soulful path to clarity, healing, and deep self-remembrance.

3. Energy Healing - Deep energetic support for your healing, expansion, and soul path.

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