Fruits of presence. Forest meditation in the rhythm of here and now

 

Fruits of presence. Forest meditation in the rhythm of here and now

I try to practise presence as often as I possibly can.

The surroundings that currently host me – the mountains and the unhurried passage of time outdoors – naturally foster this state. Yet it is not the scaling of peaks, but an entirely different, deeply grounded activity that has recently become my purest form of being in the present moment: gathering wild bilberries in mountain forests.

I have already been on three such expeditions, and each one held me in the woods for at least two hours. Mountain bilberries are small and do not flaunt their size, so gathering a mere six hundred grams requires considerable effort. Yet this time becomes an unexpected opportunity to focus completely on the action itself. It is a total immersion in the forest’s microcosm; the senses register every detail: the texture of the leaves, the delicacy of the fruit, the play of sunlight and shadow on my hands, the scent of damp earth, and cool gusts of wind.

What anchors me most deeply in this space, however, is my own body. The posture required for gathering directly from nature is awkward – demanding constant bending, remaining in a deep squat, or kneeling on uneven ground. Vibrations of exertion and tension flow from the muscles, delivering intensely physical sensations that simply cannot be ignored. And that is the key to this experience. Physical discomfort paradoxically becomes the greatest ally, unequivocally forcing awareness back into the here and now.

Naturally, thoughts do not magically vanish. They flow along their usual stream, attempting as ever to claim space and demanding attention. Yet when colliding with such dense, physical reality, they simply bounce off the shield of the present moment. They lose their weight.

This intentional immersion in the current moment provides a profound respite for my mind. When attention shifts entirely to physical sensations and sensory perception, the mind loses its dominant, often overwhelming role. It is granted a reprieve, released from the duty of continuous analysis and scenario-building. When we consciously allow it to rest in the simplicity of physical action, we lay the groundwork for its true power. When the moment arrives for analytical and creative activity to be called upon, this reset mind proves incomparably more efficient and clear.

Such forest alchemy stands as a beautiful testament that true awakening happens with juice-stained hands, amidst the quiet rustle of the trees.

The gathered bilberries form part of my daily fruit breakfast.

Ginkgo & Gaia