I’ll never forget the man I saw at the Las Vegas airport, red-faced and desperate, wrestling with his bag at the carry-on sizer. It was painfully obvious to everyone watching that this suitcase had no chance of fitting. Bulging at the seams, it practically defied the laws of physics. Yet, he kept shoving, twisting, and grunting, working himself into a full-blown meltdown.
As passengers walked by, trying to suppress their secondhand embarrassment, I stood there, struck by the metaphor unfolding before me. How often do we do this to ourselves? How often do we hold onto things that no longer fit, forcing situations, ideas, or habits into spaces where they simply don’t belong?
Watching him, I couldn’t help but think of a concept I’ve embraced through my studies in forest therapy and Japanese philosophy: Kannagara no Michi, or "The Way of the Kami."
The Flow of Life
In Shinto, Kannagara no Michi is about living in harmony with the rhythms of the natural and spiritual world. It encourages us to stop resisting and start aligning with the natural flow of life. Watching that man at the airport, it was clear he wasn’t just struggling with his suitcase—he was resisting reality itself.
Life is full of these moments, isn’t it? Times when we cling to what we think should work, refusing to see the truth that it doesn’t. Instead of letting go or finding a better path, we shove harder, make ourselves miserable, and maybe even lose sight of the bigger picture.
But when we align ourselves with the natural order—when we release the need to force things into place—life feels lighter. Just like the man at the airport, we create unnecessary suffering when we try to cram what doesn’t belong into spaces that can’t hold it.
Lessons from the Forest
Nature doesn’t do this. The forest, in its quiet wisdom, offers us a different way. A tree doesn’t try to grow beyond its means, nor does a river force itself uphill. The natural world thrives because it exists in alignment with the flow of life—it trusts the process and moves with grace.
When I guide forest therapy walks, I see participants begin to mirror this wisdom. They slow down, tune into their surroundings, and begin to notice the effortless way nature operates. The forest teaches us that personal growth isn’t about doing more; it’s about releasing what doesn’t serve us and reconnecting with what truly matters.
Sacred Simplicity
Kannagara no Michi also reminds us that the sacred isn’t separate from our daily lives. It’s not confined to temples or rituals; it’s present in everything around us. But when we’re too busy forcing things to fit—whether it’s a relationship, a career path, or a suitcase—we miss the beauty and interconnectedness of the moment.
What struck me most about the man at the airport wasn’t his frustration but how alone he seemed in it. He was so focused on his own struggle that he couldn’t see the bigger picture. How often do we do this to ourselves? How often do we let our struggles blind us to the sacred simplicity of life happening all around us? When things aren’t working, can we learn to just stop and listen?
An Invitation to Let Go
We all have our overstuffed suitcases—those things we’re holding onto that just don’t fit anymore. The question is, are we willing to let them go? Can we step back, take a deep breath, and ask ourselves:
What am I forcing right now?
What can I release to create more space and ease in my life?
How can I align with the natural flow of things?
Through my work with forest therapy walks and Kannagara no Michi, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t come from cramming more into our lives. It comes from making space—letting go of what doesn’t fit and embracing the simplicity and sacredness of the present moment.
So, next time you feel like that man at the airport—frustrated and forcing something that just won’t fit—pause. Step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and let the forest remind you: Life flows best when we stop resisting and start aligning.
Let’s walk together on this journey. Whether through the wisdom of the forest or the guidance of Kannagara no Michi, the answers you’re seeking are already here—waiting for you to notice them. Let’s go on a three hour forest therapy journey and let go for a while?
wendyfigone@yahoo.com (650)730-6005
留言