Recently I talked to a friend who was having a hard day. It was nothing catastrophic; simply that the mounting demands of her work had taken their toll, and anxiety had gotten the best of her, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
My advice to her was twofold. One: get outside; and two: practice doxology.
A few years ago I learned about a Japanese practice called shinrin-yoku, which roughly translates as “forest-bathing.” In Japan, whole forests are set apart for the sole purpose of inviting visitors to be present to the sights, sounds and scents of nature.
Studies show that spending even a few minutes outside each day in any kind of natural space – forested or otherwise — can have a profound impact on our physical health by lowering blood pressure, decreasing cortisol levels and increasing immune function.
But I’ve also found that “forest bathing” – or what we Nebraskans might more accurately call “plains bathing” – can also have a dramatic effect on our spiritual life and the state of our souls, especially when combined with doxology.
Earlier this summer I attended a women’s supper at a local Lutheran church, and at the close of the event, the host suggested we all sing the doxology together before going our separate ways.
“Huh? The what-ology?” I thought to myself, as the women around me began to sing:
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”
After fake lip-syncing my way through the unfamiliar hymn that evening, I later learned that the word “doxology” comes from the Greek doxa, translated as “glory,” and logia, translated as “saying.” There are a number of different iterations, but in short, doxology is a fancy word for the simple practice of giving praise.
Since learning about the doxology, I now often sing it quietly to myself while I walk my dog (lucky for me, Josie makes sure I get my daily shinrin-yoku in). As we meander along the path, I notice and give thanks to God for the vibrant black-eyed Susans dotting the meadow, for the melodious call of the Oriole hidden amid the oak leaves, for the sleek fox I spot darting into the underbrush across the ravine.
Giving thanks to God while immersed in his creation not only settles my racing mind and brings me a measure of peace, it also offers much-needed perspective.
There is something deeply comforting in acknowledging and accepting my smallness in the face of nature’s breadth and depth. Noticing the intricate design of the blossoming Queen Anne’s lace at my feet and the vastness of the sky over my head reminds me of how fleeting and inconsequential most of my anxieties and concerns really are.
Singing the Christian doxology while I practice the Japanese shinrin-yoku under the wide Nebraska sky is a somewhat strange and unlikely spiritual discipline, but it’s become a favorite, near-daily personal routine. I’m always amazed that two simple practices – noticing and giving thanks – can make such a profound difference in my mental, physical and spiritual health.
Turns out, shinrin-yoku doxology worked for my friend too. A few hours after I’d talked to her, she reported back that she’d taken my advice. After a quiet walk around the lake and a few minutes spent gratefully cuddling a newborn kitten in the barn, she had returned to her desk with a lighter heart, a less frantic mind and a replenished soul.
This post first appeared in the Lincoln Journal Star on September 8, 2018.
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Hi Michelle,
Hmmm . . . . I need to think about what kind of bathing I do! Block bathing?! 🙂 I love walking a two-to-three-mile circuit around our neighborhood every day, rain or shine. Like you, I notice and appreciate nature (amidst the neighbors’ houses), the changing leaves or sometimes-roiling skies, the occasional butterfly or bird. It’s definitely a heavenly experience when I walk alone, thanking God for His beauty which surrounds me. Sometime Michael and I partake in what I call my “Hikes with Mike,” which admittedly are less God-focused, but wonderful nonetheless. I should think at that time of Mike as God’s gift to me, and that would add even more to the enjoyment of it. Occasionally, I have sung on my walks, but not often since the neighbors are around. Funny you should mention doxology, because yesterday, at our first women’s home meeting of the year, as we launch our autumn women’s ministry, as we closed, about to pray, one of the older ladies spontaneously started singing the doxology, and we all instantaneously joined in. What a fitting way to close a lovely time together, praising God! I really appreciate your post, thanking for your encouragement to glorify God in His creation and song!
Love
Lynn
Amen!
The photos and the thoughts were beautiful, Michelle. Thanks!
Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh…prairie bathing is my jam! Definitely going to be adding the doxology to my next hike. Where are the pictures in this post taken? I’m always looking for a new place to explore.
Beautifully written and such lovely advice. Thank you for sharing it with us. Your pictures are beautiful as well. Keep writing!
Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center – we go there a lot and it’s BEAUTIFUL!
http://springcreek.audubon.org/
Great idea. Loved the pictures also.
Oh, the Doxology! I first fake lip-synced my way through it the first time I was invited over to have dinner with my now husbands’ parents. This is a thing they do… the whole family gathers around the table and before praying over the meal, they all sing this hymn. Like – in majestic harmony… I quickly came to love this tradition. My husbands’ Mom passed away last month, and we have only tried to attempt to sing it once around the table and that was the day she went to Heaven. We haven’t yet attempted it again, but we’ll get there! At her funeral, someone pointed out that she is no longer a ‘creature here below’ but now part of that ‘heavenly host’ I loved that… and I’m pretty sure that will help!
love this– and that the practice of singing the Doxology is a new blessing for you!
I have sing the Doxology my whole life and it became rote. We sang it after the offering was collected in church. In my adult life, I now am appreciating the words so much! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Wonderfully done as always!
My sister still leads her large family in the doxology before eating at family get-togethers. Most of the grandkids stare straight ahead!