Spring’s wild awakening
40 Days of Conscious Earth Living
Remember
Spring is not a gentle return - it is the earth’s wild exhale, a primal awakening from the deep dreaming of winter.
It is the great unfurling, where root and river, beast and branch, remember themselves anew.
Awaken. Unfurl. Remember. Rise with the wild.
Join us for a 40-day journey into the wild awakening of spring. As the earth stirs and the green returns, we’ll root ourselves in daily sit spots (more on this below), tending both land and soul. Through shared experiences and weekly gatherings, we’ll explore what it means to rise with the season—shedding the husk of winter, planting intentions like seeds in fertile ground, and embracing the untamed renewal that comes with longer days and warming winds. Step into spring not just as an observer, but as a part of its great unfolding.
What is a sit spot practice?
First off, what is Shinrin-yoku?
Shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing," is a Japanese practice that invites us to slow down and immerse ourselves in the natural world through all our senses. It’s not about hiking or exercising but simply being present with the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of the forest. This practice has been scientifically shown to reduce stress, boost immunity, and enhance overall well-being by fostering a deep connection with nature.
What is a Sit Spot Practice as Part of Shinrin-Yoku?
A sit spot is a specific place in nature where you return regularly to observe, reflect, and simply be. The practice involves finding a quiet spot, sitting still, and noticing the details of your surroundings—the rustle of leaves, the call of birds, or the warmth of sunlight. Over time, this daily ritual deepens your relationship with the land, heightens your awareness, and cultivates a sense of peace and presence.
40 Days of Consciously Living with the Earth
A Journey into Spring’s Wild Awakening
To walk into spring is to step into the ancient rhythm of becoming, to be cracked open by birdsong and storm.
Spring is more than a season - it is a transformation, a return to aliveness. In this 40-day immersive experience, we will align ourselves with the rhythms of the earth as it awakens from winter’s stillness. Through daily invitations, poetry, and art, guided by Bala and Kelsey, we will deepen our connection with nature, ourselves, and the unseen forces of renewal that shape both land and soul.
Each day, you will receive a short teaching, a practice to explore, and an opportunity to attune your senses to the great unfolding of spring. Whether you are drawn to grounding into the soil, fasting with the winds, or tending the fire of transformation, this journey invites you to not only witness spring but to embody it.
The Journey:
- Daily Invitations & Teachings: Alternating guidance from Bala and Kelsey, exploring earth, air, fire, and water as pathways for presence.
- Sensory Awakening Practices: Deepen intuition, listening, breathwork, movement, and rituals of connection.
- Weekly Wisdom Gatherings (Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM EST): A space for reflection, integration, and shared wisdom.
- Partner Practices (30 min weekly): One-on-one check-ins for support and accountability.
- One-Day Spring Immersion Experience (May 11th at Just Love Forest): Gather in-person to honor the culmination of the journey with rituals of renewal.
Weekly Themes & Practices
Week 1: AWAKEN
Earth – Rooting into Presence (Opening Zoom Gathering April 2nd)
- Establishing your sit spot – a sanctuary for reflection
- Grounding into presence through breath, movement, and deep listening
- Recognizing the unseen gifts of the earth
- Practices: Sensory awareness, journaling inquiry, nature scavenger hunt
Week 2: UNFURL
Air – Fasting & Purification (April 9th)
- Introduction to sensory fasting and breath-based clarity
- Daily cleansing rituals (breath, movement, meditation)
- Building a bridge between heaven and earth
Week 3: REMEMBER
Fire – Heart-Centered Living & Transformation (April 16th)
- Exploring the fire of the heart – passion, love, and purpose
- Practices for inner alchemy and sacred expression
- Fire ceremony and ego death ritual
Week 4: RISE
Water – Reflection & Renewal (April 23rd)
- Taking stock of soul-shaping moments
- Preparing for rebirth: releasing what no longer serves
- Water purification rituals
Week 5: BLOOM
Abiding – Living in Deep Presence (April 30th)
- Sustainable self-support and spiritual stewardship
- Holding presence in daily life
- May 11th: Spring Immersion at Just Love Forest – Nature immersion day experience with closing rituals, creative offerings, and a celebration of renewal.
Program Components & Investment
Digital Experience: $200 (40-day journey)
One-Day Spring Immersion (Optional Add-On): +$77
Vision Quest Options:
Vision Quest Add-On (for course participants): $1,000
Vision Quest Only (for general public): $1,200
Optional Add-On
Return to Vastness: A 5-Day Vision Quest
For those called to go deeper, we offer a five-day Vision Quest experience at Just Love Forest, beginning immediately after the one-day immersion. This journey into solitude, fasting, and deep communion with nature is designed for those seeking transformation with nature.
Vision Quest Structure:
- May 12-13 (Mon-Tue): Orientation & Basecamp Preparation
- May 14-15 (Wed-Thu): Solo time in the forest – fasting, silence, communion with the land
- May 16 (Fri): Integration & Overnight Gathering
- May 17 (Sat): Departure
FAQs
What kind of person is this program for?
This program is for anyone, regardless of age or background, who feels called to connect more deeply with nature and themselves. It’s for those seeking renewal and reflection in the winter season, as well as for individuals preparing to take inspired action in the spring. Whether you are completely new to forest therapy or have years of practice, this experience is open to everyone.
How much time do I need to commit to my sit spot each day?
The sit spot practice is flexible and designed to fit into your life. It can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as an hour—whatever feels manageable and meaningful for you. The key is consistency and creating a practice that works for your own schedule and needs.
What if I don’t have access to a natural environment?
If you don’t have outdoor access, you can create an indoor sit spot. This might include a dedicated area with plants, natural elements, and calming objects that help you connect to nature. The goal is to cultivate a space of mindfulness and connection, wherever you are.
What happens if I miss or stop sitting at my sit spot for a while?
There’s no punishment for missing days. This program is about showing up as best as you can, with no rewards or penalties. The group container is here to encourage and support you, no matter where you are in your practice.
What if I want to quit early?
While we encourage participants to stay for the full 40 days to honor the collective container, you are free to leave early if needed. Simply let Bala know. Please note that there are no refunds for the program.
What are the benefits of this program?
Spending time in nature, even during winter, offers immense physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. Forest therapy has been shown to reduce stress, improve immunity, and alleviate symptoms of depression. This program will also nurture reflection, creativity, and connection with the earth during the quieter season of winter.
Do I need prior experience with forest therapy or Shinrin-yoku?
No prior experience is necessary! We’ll provide an introduction to Shinrin-yoku, forest therapy, and the sit spot practice. The program is designed to support beginners and experienced participants alike.
Are journaling and other components mandatory?
Not at all! Journaling, making foraged tea, and other components are entirely optional. These activities are here to enhance your journey, but you can choose to participate in whatever way feels right for you.
What will the online sessions include?
The weekly online sessions will be a time for the group to come together and share experiences. We’ll drink foraged tea, honor our sit spots, and explore weekly themes centered around rest, renewal, and connection. Each session will be unique and rooted in the collective energy of the group.
Do I need to be located in a specific area to participate?
Not at all. While the online sessions will take place in Eastern Standard Time (EST), participants can join from anywhere, nationally or internationally. This program is designed to connect people across the globe with nature and the Just Love Forest community.
Do I need to visit Just Love Forest to participate?
No, this program is fully virtual. However, participants are welcome to arrange a visit to Just Love Forest if they wish. Options include a day trip, an overnight stay, or even a longer retreat. Please contact Bala directly to discuss timing and costs, as accommodations will be made accessible during this time.
Why should I do this?
The world needs more people who realize that they are part of nature. Be part of that change!
optional reading
Earth Prayers from Around the World
As part of this journey, we invite you to explore Earth Prayers from Around the World, edited by Elizabeth Roberts & Elias Amidon. This collection of prayers, poems, and invocations from diverse cultures and traditions celebrates the sacred bond between humans and the Earth. It speaks to the wisdom of indigenous traditions, mystical voices, and poetic reflections, reminding us of our interconnectedness with all life.
How It Relates to 40 Days of Spring Awakening:
This book serves as a companion to our journey, inviting us into a deeper relationship with nature through words that honor the land, the elements, and the cycles of renewal. Whether you incorporate these prayers into your sit spot practice, use them as journaling prompts, or simply reflect on their wisdom, they offer a powerful way to attune yourself to the spirit of spring.
While this reading is optional, it provides a rich and soulful perspective that aligns beautifully with the intentions of our time together.
spring let’s the wild within rise with the green. This is not just the season of flowers - it is the season of souls coming back to life.
— Bala
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About Bala
Bala is a meditation teacher, certified forest therapy guide, and nature-based spiritual mentor dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with the land, their hearts, and their true purpose. Through immersive 40-day journeys, he guides participants in deepening their awareness, cleansing the heart, and embracing a path of reciprocity with the earth.
At Just Love Forest, Bala facilitates forest therapy experiences, group meditations, and personal guidance sessions, creating sacred spaces for self-discovery and transformation. His approach is spiritually inclusive and earth-centered, honoring both ancient wisdom and personal intuition as paths to awakening.
In the 40 Days of Spring Awakening program, Bala will journey alongside participants, engaging in his own daily sit spot practice within the wild landscape of Just Love Forest. His presence in this process reflects the essence of the program—awakening, attuning, and tending the sacred connection between self and nature.
Bala’s teachings center on living with intention, deep listening, and honoring the cycles of life, inviting participants to rise with the season, embody presence, and rekindle their love for being alive. With years of experience in meditation, ritual, and nature-based practice, he offers a supportive and transformative container for those ready to step into spring’s unfolding.
For more about Bala’s work, visit www.bala.love.
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Kelsey Wishik, based in Athens, GA, is a distinguished guide in the realm of self-discovery and natural connection. Her expertise is rooted in hundreds of solo wilderness journeys, insights from which are captured in her book, "Return to Vastness." A yoga and movement instructor, artist, and musician, Kelsey holds ERYT 200 and RYT 500 certifications, with over 13 years of experience in yoga. Her teachings are a rich blend of yoga's philosophy, studies in Chinese Medicine, neuroscience, pranayama, meditation, and mantra, reflecting a deep commitment to the holistic exploration of self and nature.
Kelsey’s vision quest retreats are an invitation to deeply connect with oneself through the wisdom of the natural world. Her approach leverages her extensive background in both solitary wilderness experiences and comprehensive academic studies. Participants in her retreats are guided on a transformative journey, designed to foster a profound understanding of self in harmony with nature. With her global experience in facilitating workshops and community circles, Kelsey offers a unique pathway for individuals seeking to explore their inner landscapes and expand their spiritual horizons.
