Forest Bathing Seattle — walk with a mystic.
Let the power of nature ignite your potential.
Unique two-hour mystic experience in Seattle’s flagship Arboretum | Quiet your mind | Manage emotions for better outcomes | Trust your intuition more | Face your fears with support | $90 per person until March 31, 2025 |
Introduction: Learn what impedes, supports, and transforms you through Forest Bathing in Seattle. Healing, wellness, and empowerment await.
Are you stuck in the hamster wheel of daily life, yearning for change but unsure where to start? Are life circumstances overwhelming you, leaving you feeling lost and anxious? Is there a background static of uncertainty holding you back? Welcome to an elevated, mystic version of Forest Bathing in Seattle.
What surprised me the most was how Matthew’s concepts seamlessly integrated into my daily routines and management style. With his advice and recommended habits, I’ve fostered stronger connections with office colleagues and led with a newfound sense of purpose and mindfulness — something I needed after an intense year at work.
Elliott
February 2022
The Offering: A one-of-a-kind opportunity to understand the wilderness of your own life.
- Escape the Cycle
If you’re trapped in the chaos of everyday life and desire change but are unsure how to make it happen, this Forest Bathing experience is for you. - Navigate Change
If you’re struggling through life changes and are ready to move forward, this Nature Connection empowers you to push beyond the obstacles. - Let Go and Heal
If you’re burdened by anxiety, stress, or trauma, Forest Bathing in Seattle offers a haven to release these feelings and reconnect with yourself. - Find Clarity
If you’re uncertain where to begin healing from trauma or seeking direction, a Forest Bathing experience with Matthew Kessi provides the path to self-discovery and personal growth.
Through shadow work, I learned how achieving deeper communion with nature offers a better balance in my life. I was able to learn to let go of perfection. Matthew’s intuitive leadership helped me appreciate and feel an acceptance from nature that I had never seen before. I highly recommend Matthew’s Forest Bathing experience, which helped me see nature as an ally.
Claire
September 2023What is Forest Bathing?
Forest bathing, or Shinrin Yoku, is a concept that originated in Japan in the 1980s as its population migrated from rural to urban living to support a booming economy based on manufacturing and technology. However, in this transition, companies found that their employees were prone to sickness and burnout.
Japan’s government commissioned studies to get to the root problem. They found empirical proof that a mindful re-connection to the Natural World worked well as a remedy against the stress of daily life in a demanding corporate environment.
The concept of “forest bathing” comes from the phytoncides and other essential oils emitted from forest trees. They quite literally rain down. Several studies have shown that the fragrance of phytoncides reduces stress and promotes immunocyte growth, including natural killer (NK) cells.
Furthermore, a growing body of research points to the beneficial effects of exposure to the Natural World on health, reducing stress, and promoting healing. Some studies further clarify that only 20 minutes daily (of immersive Natural experiences) are essential to producing lasting benefits such as lower blood pressure, higher concentration, improved mental health, regulating cortisol levels, neutralizing inflammation, and even higher sexual satisfaction.
What about other Forest Bathing resources?
Matthew Kessi: Experienced leading you into the wilderness of your own life.
I’m a travel writer, nature photographer, and practical mystic with a superpower for connecting people to otherworldly nature experiences. In this mystical realm, Nature’s Intelligence is eager to help you deepen in self-clarity — leading to healing, wellness, and empowerment.
While I’m not Japanese, I’ve spent a lifetime leading myself and others into the Natural World. My forest bathing experiences combine intuitive gifts and talents with the concepts of Shinrin-Yoku to provide an elevated experience that can change your life.
A Pacific Northwest local, I am originally from Oregon and live in Seattle today. A passion to help the world reunite with the land motivates me to facilitate transformative journeys in the outdoors — like this Forest Bathing experience in Seattle.
A general belief of practical mysticism is that we all possess the intuition to connect with the mystery of the Natural World. If you don’t feel unique gifts or intuition right now, it could be as simple as learning to “reawaken” that part of your inner self. This is where I’m well-trained to help you.
Amidst life’s hustle, a call for transformation emerges. There’s more to your own wild Nature. Let me help you find it!
Matthew Kessi is gentle, kind, and compassionate. His virtues extend to what he draws from Nature. If you seek a deeper experience than sightseeing, Matthew is your guide. He’ll lead you to places on the land and within yourself that are truly remarkable.
Patrick O’Neill
The Four DirectionsThis recent video, “How can the rhododendrons of Seattle’s Arboretum help us get to the HEART of the matter?” resembles your in-person Forest Bathing experience with me.
Curious about my style and vibe in person? I invite you to walk with me down a spirited path in the depths of the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle. Here, we’ll open up to the ways Nature can help us see our inner self more clearly. In particular, love flows around us, within us, and from us.
Subscribe to my YouTube series of Guided Nature Connection videos. They are a mystic hybrid of meditation, contemplation, and enchantment—always in beautiful locations. The 20-minute dose is enough to maintain a strong connection with the Natural World when you cannot get outdoors daily (especially in this dark and damp season). My work is to help the world connect with the healing power of Nature’s Intelligence—no matter the place or time. This concept is entirely new to some, and for others, the magic is a daily joy. Either way, these Nature Connection videos provide an opportunity to practice.
I went into this experience with anxiety, anger, and fear, along with questions about my divine assignment. I walked out of the beautiful woods more grounded, with a fresh, open heart, relieved of pain and filled with comfort and hope. Matthew Kessi, you have a gift, and you are a gift! Many thanks to you and, as always, gorgeous Mother Nature.
Carrie
January 2024The Approach: What does Forest Bathing in Seattle look like?
Here’s what our walk entails:
- I will help you leave distractions behind and customize an intention that allows you to get the most out of our time together.
- With the help of six fundamentals developed over my lifetime in nature (see above) — your brain will slow down as you enter a mildly altered state in the Natural World.
- We’ll walk among stunning natural beauty. I’ll guide you through three meditations invoking the senses, where the spirits of the land come to us.
- Sometimes they have messages about healing, ancestral connections, or opportunities waiting to unfold in your life. With your permission, I will bring it forward.
Possible outcomes range from deep relaxation, akin to a massage, to the inexplicable – such as two-way communication with a tree or ancestor visitations.
Matthew is a gracious, welcoming, calming force. His leadership fostered connections — within myself, others, and the powerful messages of the Natural World. He led us into both inner and outer worlds, encouraging curiosity. And a new perspective about slowing down to “nature’s pace” unfolded in real time. My Forest Bathing in Seattle experience taught me a simple yet profound lesson: focus on one thing at a time and be present in every moment. I use this daily without fail — even months since.
Steve
October 2024
The Call to Action: Details for your Seattle Forest Bathing experience.
Ask yourself:
- Are you content with the status quo in your life?
- Are you willing to pay the emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial cost of inaction?
- Is your life heading toward positive change, or will inaction lead to further decline?
- Are you facing the aftermath of trauma, trapped emotions, or unresolved issues?
FAQ Forest Bathing Seattle
Here are many further details about your mystic experience walking through the beautiful Washington Arboretum in Seattle. If you’re interested in more general information about Forest Bathing, including logistics and guidelines for choosing excellent locations for Shinrin-Yoku anywhere in the world, check out my article, “Forest Bathing near Me.”
Who benefits from Shinrin-Yoku?
You can benefit from a Guided Nature Immersion if one of these applies to you:
- You’ve always wondered why everyone else seems to love hiking.
- You’ve ever ventured to a beautiful natural place — like a waterfall — only to turn around after five minutes without much fulfillment?
- Your life feels too frantic, and reading books, journaling, meditating, or finding peace seems impossible.
- You already enjoy the nature connection, but get a sense there are more ways to deepen the relationship.
- You are experiencing heartache and can’t seem to find a way through.
Is this “officially” Forest Bathing?
Kind of. This is a supercharged version of forest bathing. By deepening to reach a mildly altered state, your brain slows down enough to engage in a two-way conversation with the intelligence of the Natural World. Intuition is highly heightened in this state, and more spiritual and emotional outcomes are possible than in conventional forest bathing.
This is a rare opportunity to experience the spirits of land and place with a guide rigorously trained in the mystery of the Natural World.
How does this work?
Select the registration button above or below and follow the prompts to pay, which is essential because that initiates your intention to be present on our walk together.
You’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to message me to schedule the details and ask any additional questions.
What about the weather?
Nature thrives 365 days a year, just like my guided mystic experiences. No matter the weather, we’ll meet and walk together. Unfortunately, you will forfeit your purchase if cancellations are made within 24 hours of our scheduled walk in Seattle. If there is severe weather, we may mutually agree to reschedule.
What about canceling?
You may reschedule once by emailing me: [email protected]. This must be done in Seattle with at least 24-hour advance notice of your scheduled walk with me. Otherwise, you will forfeit your purchase.
What is the proper attire?
Be mindful of the weather forecast, and bring solid footwear — preferably waterproof. Except in summer, always have a waterproof outer shell with a hood — umbrellas are not practical for this natural experience. Otherwise, layers are essential in our climate. We may sit or lie down, so long pants work better.
How much physical activity is required?
This nature immersion doesn’t require advanced athletic or endurance abilities. The whole purpose of our time together is to slow down enough to let nature teach us. The walk is usually around two miles on gradual terrain that may involve sporadic steps, and you are encouraged to take it slowly.
What about adding additional participants?
Yes, you may have up to five people, but please book online via the kessiworld.com website before we begin our walk. This is important because the intention for our time in nature starts with payment.
Is there anything else to bring?
What you put into the experience is directly related to the outcome, which can be transformational. Bring curiosity and willingness to deepen your relationship with the Natural World and yourself.
Consider the time of year and bring bug spray and sunscreen when appropriate. There are mosquitos in summer, especially in the late afternoon (4-8 pm).
Will I learn about plants in the forest?
These sessions are customized to help you find your more profound relationship with the Natural World.
We might learn a few new things about the science of plants and trees, but I’ll likely show you ways to connect with the soul of the forest — information not taught in textbooks or at ranger stations!
Is this safe?
Our work will be conducted in areas designated for people — open and loving arenas for finding your nature.
Of course, physical safety will always be of the highest importance, and I’ll only take you to places you feel comfortable. Please let me know if you have any particular allergies to plants or creatures like bees.
Connecting to the natural world is emotionally, spiritually, and mentally safe.
Most guided nature immersions are located in places with cell service should an emergency arise. I also carry a basic first aid kit and extra water.
I moved to Washington a few weeks before attending Matthew’s Nature meditation retreat, and the chance to learn about and go deep into the Olympic rainforest beguiled me. I expected to satisfy a fifty-year-old yearning to walk among the majesty of old-growth trees.
I didn’t expect that Matthew’s leadership, using simple questions, would lead me deep into an age-old anger I held around my father. With gentle coaxing, I let it go — actually watched it depart — and experienced profound healing. A new sense of freedom has taken up residence in me ever since.
Shannon
October 2024
The Outcomes: Forever impacted by clarity about the wilderness of your own nature.
Imagine finding peace amidst chaos, approaching challenges with a clear mind, and leading with purpose and authenticity. A nature meditation retreat on the Olympic Peninsula unlocks these potentials and empowers you to:
- Find relief from stress and anxiety on the road to wellness.
- Uncover new paths and questions to drive personal growth.
- Learn to regulate emotions for improved leadership and relationships.
- Rediscover your wild nature for a life of fulfillment and clarity.
Take your Forest Bathing experience to new levels on a three-day Olympic Peninsula retreat
Spring and Fall retreat dates | Olympic Peninsula Washington State | 3-day all-inclusive | Premium amenities in a five-star beach house | Guided mystic experience | Stay on a private beach | Intimate 1-4 people groups fill up quickly.
My partner and I joined Matthew for a premium nature immersion retreat on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. The experience was unexpectedly powerful, nurturing introspection to address our distinct needs. While my partner focused on career challenges, I worked through residual grief after losing my mother. Despite similar exercises, Matthew’s innate ability as a spiritual guide led us to distinct and beneficial outcomes. This meditation retreat and the rejuvenating power of the natural world can benefit anyone at any life stage. Whether confronting career dilemmas or personal struggles, it provides a space for reflection and gratitude. Even those in a positive place can find solace and connection with our abundant planet.
Brian
June 2023Forest Bathing Seattle: Let me lead you to remarkable places in the Natural World.
This Forest Bathing experience is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the wilderness of your own life. Once you see what impedes, supports, and transforms your wild nature, you’ll be on the way to healing, wellness, and awakening.
