Trees aren’t just competing for sunlight and soil—they’re also looking out for one another. Scientist Suzanne Simard reveals the unexpected ways trees communicate, share resources, and support us.
Summary: We dive into what we can learn from the neural networks of forests, evolution and cooperation, and how trees are a fundamental solution to the climate crises we are facing today with ecologist Suzanne Simard. She also shares her forest gratitude practice and invites us to reflect on what it means to feel a sense of belonging in the forest.
How To Do This Practice:
- Go to a forest or natural space, ideally near yew trees or other trees you feel connected to.
- Sit quietly, even if you're tired or unwell, and allow yourself to simply be there.
- Acknowledge the presence and life of the trees around you.
- Offer your gratitude to the trees—for their medicine, their strength, or simply their being.
- If you're with loved ones, invite them to join in the gratitude.
- Feel the connection between yourself, the trees, and your companions.
- Return to this practice as often as you can, letting the forest remind you that you're not alone.
Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.
Today’s Guests:
DR. SUZANNE SIMARD is a professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia and the author of Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest.
Read her book here: https://tinyurl.com/bdfy463z
Related The Science of Happiness episodes:
How Water Heals: https://tinyurl.com/utuhrnh3
Experience Nature Wherever You Are, with Dacher (Encore): https://tinyurl.com/aj34s585
The Healing Effects of Experiencing Wildlife: https://tinyurl.com/49pkk6eu
Related Happiness Breaks:
How To Ground Yourself in Nature: https://tinyurl.com/25ftdxpm
Pause to Look at the Sky: https://tinyurl.com/4jttkbw3
A Walking Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/mwbsen7a
Tell us about your experience connecting with nature. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or follow on Instagram @HappinessPod.
Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap
Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/yvrd9jje
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.