森林行走Forest Walking
遠古人類赤腳走在大地上，透過腳底直接吸收大地之氣(the Earth’s natural electric energy)。在1880年代在西歐，尤其在德國，有一個所謂的「回歸自然運動」（a back-to-Nature movement）。它的特色就是赤腳走在森林中，甚至躺在林地中睡覺。雖然基於安全理由，研究者接續的發展出各種有傳導力的毯子、墊子或帳篷以避免腳或身體其它部位受傷，其原來的理念就是到林中感受森林氣及接地氣（earthing），而森林行走就是其運動最重要的課程之一。而根據美國自然及森林治療協會（Association of Nature and Forest therapy）研究，一個人凝視著森林的景色20分鐘比一個在同樣時間欣賞都市景觀的人，在唾液的腎上腺皮質醇濃度(salivary cortisol, 一種壓力荷爾蒙)，低13.4百分比。而悠閒的森林散步與在都市散步相比，在交感神經的活動少七個百分比，血壓減1.4百分比，在心跳上減5.8百分比。
因此森林行走是自然運動中不可缺少的課題，為了與一般的森林競走做區別，自然禪學會就將它稱之為「行禪」。行禪一開始時，黃老師或師兄姐會引導你了解周遭環境，各種樹種，岩石，風生水起的緣由，提升你知覺的敏銳度，帶你回到最自然世界，回到你遠古的家。老師或師兄姐會簡單分析行禪熱身功的原理及方法。這是黃老師為了帶動不容易進入放鬆自我的同學所設計了一套行禪的熱身功。但黃老師還是要交代的是：只要你能進入無為的境界，這些有為的方法就要全部捨棄。行禪時因為身心的放鬆，學員們可能出現各種奇奇怪怪的動作，像是倒退走、內八字走、外八字走、用腳內側或外側走路、抬腳走、開跨走、跳走、騎馬打仗似的跑步、百米衝刺、蹲著走、像殘障青年一般的走路、學螃蟹走路、繞圓圈、狂跳、狂叫、跪拜天地、旋轉、倒退走等等動作不一而足。而且任何誇大的動作都不足為奇。其最重要的理念還是放鬆身體，讓自律神經帶著你行走在林中。在完全放鬆的情況下，你也更能感受到植物、岩石的能量以及花草、泥土的芬芳。
Forest Walking
Ancient humans walked barefoot on the
earth, directly absorbing the Earth's natural electric energy through their
feet. In the 1880s, particularly in Western Europe, notably in Germany, there
was a movement called "back-to-Nature movement." Its essence was
walking barefoot in forests and even sleeping on the forest floor. While safety
concerns led researchers to develop various conductive blankets, mats, or tents
to prevent injury to the feet or other body parts, the original idea was to
experience the forest's energy and "earthing." Forest walking was one
of its most essential exercises. According to research by the Association of
Nature and Forest Therapy in the United States, an individual gazing at forest
scenery for 20 minutes exhibited a 13.4% lower level of salivary cortisol (a
stress hormone) than someone observing urban landscapes for the same duration.
A leisurely forest walk, when compared to an urban walk, reduced sympathetic
nervous system activity by 7%, blood pressure by 1.4%, and heart rate by 5.8%.
Hence, forest walking is an integral aspect
of natural exercise. To distinguish it from regular forest walking, the Natural
Zen Institute terms it "Zen Walking." In Zen Walking, the teacher or
seniors initially guide you to understand the environment, various tree
species, rocks, the reasons behind natural phenomena, enhancing your
perceptiveness, and leading you back to the most natural world, your ancient
home. The teacher or seniors briefly explain the principles and methods of
warm-up exercises in Zen Walking, designed to relax students who find it
challenging to enter a state of relaxation. However, it's essential to mention
that once you can enter a state of non-action, all these methodical approaches
must be abandoned.
During Zen Walking, due to relaxation of
the body and mind, participants might exhibit various peculiar movements such
as walking backward, walking with feet turned inward or outward, walking with
feet sideways, high-stepping, striding, horse-like gallops, sprints, squat
walking, walking like disabled youth, crab-like walking, walking in circles,
exuberant jumps, shouts, prostrations, spinning, and backward movements, among
many other actions. Any exaggerated movement is not considered strange. The
primary concept remains to relax the body and let the autonomic nervous system
guide you through the forest. When completely relaxed, you can better sense the
energy of plants, rocks, and the fragrance of flowers, grass, and soil.
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