Forest Bathing Is Not Spiritual—and That’s Exactly Why It Works

Forest Bathing Is Not Spiritual—and That’s Exactly Why It Works

As a certified forest therapy guide, I often meet people who are curious about forest bathing but hesitate to try it. Here are some frequent questions I get after explaining it:

“Wait... is this, like, a spiritual thing?” or ”Will we be summoning and talking to spirits?”

These are fair questions—and actually…good ones. We live in a world full of wellness trends that blur the line between science, spirituality, and pseudo-science. But forest bathing (also known as shinrin-yoku) is different. It’s not a spiritual practice. You don’t need to believe in anything. You don’t need to pray, chant, or align your energy centers. In fact, forest bathing is powerful precisely because it doesn’t ask anything of you—other than your presence.

So let’s clear the air, or rather, the canopy: forest bathing is not spiritual, and it doesn’t incorporate spirituality. And that’s exactly why it’s so welcoming, calming, and grounding—no belief system required.

What Forest Bathing Actually Is

Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, began in Japan in the 1980s as a public health initiative. The Japanese Ministry of Forestry wanted to encourage people to slow down and reconnect with the natural world—not for religious reasons, but to combat stress, anxiety, and burnout.

And they were onto something. Decades of research now show that time spent in nature—especially in forests—lowers cortisol levels, reduces blood pressure, boosts immune function, and even improves sleep. No spirituality necessary. Just trees, your senses, and a bit of time.

When I lead guided walks, I usually invite participants to find a spot in the forest to sit and simply be for 15 - 20 minutes.

That surprises people. In our goal-oriented culture, it’s refreshing—sometimes even unsettling—to be invited into an experience that asks for nothing more than our attention.

The Common Misconception: Nature Equals Spirituality

Let’s talk about the elephant in the forest: people often equate nature with spirituality. And it makes sense. Nature can feel powerful, awe-inspiring, even transcendent. But that feeling doesn’t require spiritual interpretation.

I once had a guest on a walk who told me, “I loved this, but I was afraid it was going to be some kind of spiritual thing. I grew up in a strict religious household, and I’m done with all that.”
She looked relieved when I smiled and said, “Nope. Just trees.”

Forest bathing is deeply personal, but not prescriptive. It creates space for you to feel whatever you feel—whether that’s peace, wonder, grief, or nothing at all. The forest isn’t trying to teach you anything or lead you to enlightenment. It just is. And that’s what makes it such a open and inviting practice.

Designed to Be Inclusive for Everyone

No Belief System Required

Forest bathing doesn’t require you to believe in anything beyond your own breath. There’s no invocation of spirits, no mention of chakras or past lives, and no hidden dogma tucked between the tree trunks. It’s completely secular and intentionally inclusive.

The practice is rooted in sensory awareness, not spirituality. When I say “notice the texture of a leaf” or “listen to the breeze moving through the trees,” I’m not asking you to interpret it as a sign from the universe. I’m simply inviting you to slow down and observe.

And honestly? That’s where the magic happens. Not because the forest is mystical, but because it offers a rare moment of stillness in a world that rarely does.

Respecting Boundaries and Personal Beliefs

Many of the people who come on my walks are looking for peace, not preaching. Some are skeptical. Some are recovering from spiritual trauma. Some are devout in their own ways. And some are just curious. The beauty of forest bathing is that it meets each person exactly where they are.

I once guided a mother and daughter who told me afterward, “We both got something completely different out of that.” The mother felt a “spiritual reconnection,” and she appreciated having her mind quiet down for the first time in weeks. The daughter just enjoyed exploring the insects and bonded with one particular tree in the woods. Both experiences were valid. Neither was prescribed.

It’s About Presence, Not Transcendence

Mindfulness ≠ Spirituality

Forest bathing often gets lumped in with mindfulness or meditation, which people sometimes assume are spiritual too. But here’s the key distinction: mindfulness doesn’t ask you to transcend anything. It asks you to enter fully into what is.

Likewise, forest bathing is not about tuning out—it’s about tuning in. You’re not seeking a higher realm; you’re deepening your awareness of this one. The forest isn’t a metaphor. It’s an ecosystem you happen to be part of.

Profound Doesn’t Mean Spiritual

Some experiences on the trail do feel profound. Maybe you notice a single golden leaf drifting down in slow motion. Maybe you lock eyes with a deer, or feel a deep, unexpected stillness,peace, and calm in your mind.

That doesn’t make the experience spiritual. It just makes it real. We’re not used to paying such close attention, and when we do, it often moves us. But again—that’s about awareness, not belief.

If Spirituality Arises, It’s Yours—Not the Guide’s

I tell people this all the time:

“If something feels spiritual to you, I honor that—but I won’t name it for you.”

You’re welcome to interpret your experience however you want. Some people feel a sense of divine connection in the forest. Others just enjoy the silence and the fresh air. Forest bathing holds space for it all—but it doesn’t push any particular worldview.

As a guide, my job isn’t to lead you to a spiritual conclusion. It’s to support your sensory journey—quietly, respectfully, and without agenda.

Why This Matters: Forest Bathing Belongs to Everyone

In a world full of labels, marketing jargon, and wellness products wrapped in spiritual language, forest bathing offers something refreshingly neutral. No chanting. No incense. No conversions. Just trees and time.

By clarifying that forest bathing isn’t spiritual, we make it more accessible. We create a safe space for people who might otherwise steer clear of anything that sounds too mystical or religious. We protect the simplicity and integrity of the practice. And we invite more people to experience the profound calm that comes from being in nature—without needing to explain it or assign meaning to it.

Final Thoughts: The Forest Doesn’t Ask for Faith—Just Attention

You don’t need to be a spiritual person to feel the way moss softens your step, or to be moved by the quiet hush of wind through branches. Inn fact, you don’t need to label that experience as spiritual—or anything at all.

Forest bathing is for you if you're burned out, overwhelmed, or just craving a moment of calm. It’s for skeptics, scientists, spiritual seekers, and people who just love being outside. No matter who you are, the forest doesn’t need you to understand it. It just invites you in.

And that, to me, is more than enough.

BOOK you walk with us today.