Shinrin Yoku Haiku & Poems by Milena A. Guziak

森の心・人の心
Journey Through Life With the Wisdom of the Forest

My writing journey has been a transformative experience, one that has been deeply influenced by my connection to the forest but also to my past. As I immerse myself in nature, I find myself surrounded by a boundless source of inspiration and creativity. The forest has become a sacred space for me, where I can reflect, express myself, and connect with my innermost thoughts and feelings – where I can be me. Through spending time in the forest, I have discovered self-love and self-acceptance, and I have learned to appreciate the beauty of imperfection. The forest has taught me that just as nature is diverse and complex, so too are our own experiences and emotions. With each step I take in the forest, I discover new stories to tell, new ways to express myself, and new paths to explore. Writing has become my way of honoring the forest and the natural world, and of sharing my own uniqueness with others.

We are never alone. Our diverse mother earth is always there to guide us, teach us, and inspire us. The forests, mountains, oceans, and deserts offer us both comfort and discomfort, giving us opportunities to learn, engage, and connect, and to understand that we are all one.

For me, the forest is my home, my life. It is where I find peace, solace, and a deep sense of connection to the world around me – meaning of life. I hope that you too have found an outlet to express yourself, to connect with nature, and to feel the profound beauty and wisdom that surrounds us.

I am very happy to present you with a compilation of three collections of Shinrin Yoku Poems & Haiku i, II & III . 森林浴の俳句・詩 I , II, III- written in Japanese, transcribe into Roman alphabet, and translated into English.

You can order your hardcover here

奥深く

静かな大自然に

遠く離れて

繁栄する

oku fukaku

shizuka na daishizen ni

touku hanarete

hanei suru

deep and whispered wilderness

far away

we both thrive

“This collection is more than just nature poetry, but an exemplar of the benefits of ‘forest bathing’ (shinrin yoku). ‘Let nature be your teacher,’ said Wordsworth, and this is very much the theme, though from a Buddhist viewpoint. Notable throughout is the active role of nature, to which the human observer is receptive. In keeping with the subject matter, the poems radiate honesty, sincerity and spirituality. Written in Japanese and translated into English, they impress on the reader the healing properties of the forest. It may not be as good as actually bathing in it, but it is the next best thing.” – John Dougill, founder of Writers in Kyoto, author of Japan’s World Heritage Sites: Unique Culture, Unique Nature.

Thank you John Dougill of Writers in Kyoto for your support in my writing journey.

John Dougill grew up in Grimsby, UK, and has spent most of his life abroad. He currently resides in Kyoto, Japan, where he is professor of British Studies at Ryukoku University. His student days took place at Leeds University and Queen’s College, Oxford, in the heady days of the early 1970s when the future beckoned with golden arms. He completed his education at the University of Life when he spent a year travelling round the world: Nepal and Bali were his favourites. As a teacher, he spent three years in the Middle East and seven years in Oxford before moving to Japan in 1986. In addition to the books listed here he has produced twelve Japanese college textbooks and ‘Gentleman and Hooligan: The British on Film 1921-1971’ by Ryukoku Univ. Press. He completed a PhD in English Literature in 1993, and is now consumed in the fascinations of Japanese spirituality. Amongst his hobbies are chess, haiku and visiting Shinto shrines. He has a particular interest in the spirit of place and contributed an essay to the ebook ‘Deep Kyoto Walks’.

Visit Writers in Kyoto: https://www.writersinkyoto.com/

Thank you John Einarsen of Kyoto Journal for providing me with a photograph representing impermanence of nature.

John Einarsen is an American writer, editor, and photographer, who has lived in Kyoto for more than 30 years, and has immersed himself in the art and culture of the ancient imperial capital; publisher and founding editor of Kyoto Journal, an award-winning, non-profit volunteer-based magazine established in 1986. Kyoto Journal has earned several international independent press awards, including the Utne Reader and Pushcart Prize. In 2013, he received the Japanese Cultural Affairs Agency Award for the Journal’s long-term efforts to introduce Kyoto and Japanese culture to the English-speaking world.

Visit Kyoto Journal: https://www.kyotojournal.org/

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Venture on a memorable path with our 10-week Shinrin Yoku Guide Training program accredited by Shinrin Yoku Association . This journey merges the accessibility of online learning with an enriching immersion in the serene forests of Japan. 🌳🇯🇵

Embark on your online adventure with flexible scheduling (GMT-3, Argentina Time) 🖥️🌐:
🌱 July 21 (Fri), 12 PM
🌱 July 28 (Fri), 2 PM
🌱 August 4 (Fri), 8 AM
(More dates available online!)

Continue your transformative journey with a 5-day retreat nestled in the peaceful woodlands of Nara, Japan 🏞️🎑:
🍂 October 2-6, 2023
🍂 October 9-13, 2023

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The Mindful Tourist
森の心・人の心
Journey Through Life With the Wisdom of the Forest