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Beef is bad for environment. https://foodprint.org/real-food/rabbit/#:~:text=Environmental Impact of Raising Rabbits,six pounds of rabbit meat.

Harika wetland in Punjab, the music is kind of annoying, but it looks like a beautiful place. Hard to believe that its man made! looks so ancient and untouched.

Really nice weather out there. Found this insect on my mums salwar suit in the garden lol Is it a dragon fly? It was quite big for a insect like the size of my index finger. Not sure what it was though.

Why Forest Bathing Is Good for Your Health Though any kind of nature can enhance our health and happiness, there’s something special about being in a forest. By Karin Evans | August 20, 2018 Print Bookmark “Nature deficit disorder” is a modern affliction. With more people living in cities, working in high-rise office buildings, and becoming addicted to their innumerable electronic devices, many of us are indeed experiencing a nature deficit. This is true for children and adults alike. In his new book, Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness, Japanese medical doctor and researcher Qing Li presents some sobering statistics: By 2050, according to the United Nations Population Division, three quarters of the world’s people will live in cities. Even now, the average American spends 93 percent of the time indoors, and some ten hours a day on social media—more than they spend asleep. The Kumano Kodo trail in Japan In Japan, there’s enough awareness about this deficit that Li heads up an organization called The Japanese Society of Forest Medicine, which promotes research on the therapeutic effects of forests on human health and educates people on the practice of forest bathing. His book—a companion to the center he runs—explores research on these benefits, while offering a number of techniques we can use to enhance them. “Some people study forests. Some people study medicine. I study forest medicine to find out all the ways in which walking in the forest can improve our well-being,” writes Li. The history of forest bathing Japan is a country that is both urbanized and heavily forested. Trees cover two-thirds of the island’s landmass, and yet a majority of Japan’s people live in crowded city conditions. Li himself lives in Tokyo, a city he describes as “the most crowded city in the world.” Perhaps that’s why the art of “forest bathing”—shinrin-yoku—began there. Forest bathing involves slowly walking through a forest, taking in the atmosphere through all your senses, and enjoying the benefits that come from such an excursion. In 1982, Japan launched a national program to encourage forest bathing, and in 2004, a formal study of the link between forests and human health began in Iiyama, Japan—a place particularly known for its lush, green forests. Now, each year upwards of 2.5 million people walk those forest trails as a way to ease stress and enhance health. Li’s interest in forest research began when he was a stressed-out medical student. He went away for a week of forest camping, and found it restored his physical and emotional health. That inspired him to begin researching the benefits of forests on human health and well-being. In 2004, he helped found the Forest Therapy Study Group, aimed at finding out why being among trees makes us feel so much better. The healing power of the forest After years of careful study, Li has found that spending time in a forest can reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and anger; strengthen the immune system; improve cardiovascular and metabolic health; and boost overall well-being. “Wherever there are trees, we are healthier and happier,” writes Li. And, he adds, it isn’t about exercising—like hiking or jogging—it’s simply about being in nature. Why would this be? It’s long been recognized that humans have a biological need to connect with nature. Some 20 years ago, American biologist E. O. Wilson noted that humans are “hardwired” to connect with the natural world, and that being in nature had a profoundly positive effect on human health. Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness (Viking, 2018, 320 pages) Li’s research seems to corroborate this. For example, one of his studies looked at whether forest bathing could improve sleep patterns among middle-aged Tokyo office workers who tended to suffer sleep deficiency due to high levels of stress. During the study, participants walked the same amount of time in a forest that they usually did in a non-forest setting on a normal working day. After a walk in the forest, participants were significantly less anxious, slept better, and slept longer. In addition, researchers found that afternoon walks were even more beneficial than morning walks. “You sleep better when you spend time in a forest, even when you don’t increase the amount of physical activity you do,” reported Li. To further assess the effects of time spent in a forest, Li measured people’s moods before and after walking in the woods or in an urban environment. While other studies have shown that walking anywhere outdoors reduces depression, anxiety, and anger, Li found that only the experience of walking in a forest improved people’s vigor and reduced fatigue. The health secrets of trees seem to lie in two things—the higher concentration of oxygen that exists in a forest, as compared to an urban setting, and the presence of plant chemicals called phytoncides—natural oils that are part of a plant’s defense system against bacteria, insects, and fungi. Exposure to these substances, says Li, can have measurable health benefits for humans. Physiological stress is reduced, for example, and both blood pressure and heart rate are lowered. Evergreens—pine, cedar, spruce, and conifers—are the largest producers of phytoncides, so walking in an evergreen forest seems to have the greatest health benefits. How to do forest bathing So, is there a specific art to forest bathing? Or is it just as easy as a walk in the woods? Connecting with nature is simple, writes Li. “All we have to do is accept the invitation. Mother Nature does the rest.” Here are some of his suggested steps. Find a spot. Depending where you are, find a good source of nature. One doesn’t need to journey deep into a forest for these benefits. Just look for any green area. It could be an urban park, a nature preserve, or a trail through suburban woods. Forests with conifers are thought to be particularly beneficial. “Let your body be your guide. Listen to where it wants to take you,” Li says. Some people will respond to sunny glades, others to shadier places. Listen to your own wisdom. For people who don’t have access to a forest, or can’t get outside for some reason, infusing essential tree oils in your home can provide benefits, too. Engage all your senses. “Let nature enter through your ears, eyes, nose, mouth, hands, and feet,” says Li. Actively listen, smell, touch, and look. “Drink in the flavor of the forest and release your sense of joy and calm.” Don’t hurry. Slow walking is recommended for beginners. And it’s good to spend as much time as possible. You’ll notice positive effects after twenty minutes, says Li, but a longer visit, ideally four hours, is better. Try different activities. Try doing yoga in the woods, or Tai chi, or meditation. Take a picnic. Write a poem. Study plants. You can venture alone, or with a companion. In Japan, forest walking therapists are even available. Appreciate the silence. One of the downsides of urban living is the constant noise. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a wooded area that’s free from human-produced sound. Silence is restorative, and a forest can have its own healing sound—rustling leaves, a trickle of water, birdsong. Spend a few quiet moments with a favorite tree. If nothing else, when we connect with nature we are reminded that we are part of a larger whole. And that, Li notes, can lead us to be less selfish and to think more of others. Li’s book, which includes illustrations and a map of “40 Beautiful Forests Across the World,” is an invitation and an inspiration to take a walk in the woods, wherever you are. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_forest_bathing_is_good_for_your_health?utm_medium=email&utm_source=other&utm_campaign=opencourse.es3OSXqhEea1Vw7ENWFEPw.announcements~opencourse.es3OSXqhEea1Vw7ENWFEPw.NyzGa6cwEeiD2QqOJunOiA

Nature is the biggest remedy in life. What do we mean by nature? In warm weathers getting a chair and sitting in the garden. In cold inside with a view out window. NOW here's the thing... To do this for 3 - 4 hours at least three times in a week! Can you manage? Will you get bored? (mobiles switched off). That is the point to be oness with nature. Many may have already complained "I do not do Gurbaani that much in one day. Am always on phone, internet or occupied with something, like gone Gurdwara." Yes I know how important Gurdwara is. BUT that besides the point have you ever taken out time to be one with nature? If you start off by sitting in silence for an hour 3 times a week this will be an excellent start. Then slowly increase on the hours. At first you may find it difficult and your mind will certainly run but let it. Let it run and go where ever (again, phones switched off OR do not pull out phone unless it rings and you know it's emergency). The aim is to look, feel and listen to the things around you. The birds whistling, the wind blowing on trees and flowers. Other sound whilst inhaling the nature's wind in you. By being inside/ warm place the same thing can be managed. If you see leaves being blown see it and feel the leaves in direction it's being blown. If you hear birds try and whistle in their tune or just hear them "Speak," who knows? Maybe you'll learn to speak all types of birds over time? NOW HOW DOES THIS AFFECT SIKHI!? It should affect ALL types of people but let's see benefits of this practice. The mind calms down. See? We humans are full of business, hyper, "Got to do something" attitude that we forget about patience and calmness. Sikhi talks about patience and calmness (in relationship Sikhs must avoid anger). The same principles apply if one takes out time to do Gurbani/ Simran. Regular Nitnem and Prayers help immensely to improve on life too. BUT what happens after we're finished for the time being? Can we sit waiting for a train with patience? Or do we have to pull out mobile/ laptop or whatever hi-tech? Can we sit for thirty minutes on the sofa, contemplating on life, or do we have to flick through the TV? Obviously, since am writing this on net am clearly not against these Hi tech gizmos, but I think we need to ask ourselves, "Have we ever spent a few hours each day where our minds were not occupied with something? Was I impatient the way I reacted? Was I overthinking/ impatient with a situation?" THIS patient and calmness is dealt with being nature, whereas Regular Nitnem/ Simran will deal with Kaam, krodh, lobh, moh and Ahankaar. Who knows? Maybe I am writing all this out of ego? For attention "OH! Look at me Sikho! I have something important to say! Hun meri jai jai kro!" See? the mind opens up in a different perception. SO why is patience important? With patience krodh problem can be sorted. NOT "My kids are naughty I'll scold them" that is showing angry so your kids behave. Krodh can be where you beat your kids to the point of battering them black and blue OR where your calm on the outside but in your mind you picture repeatedly stabbing someone with a knife or axe... SOME may know what am on about and the physical impact it has on the body, causes tension and makes room for a disease. AND the first thing Sikhi will teach is Daya (Compassionate). By being in nature insects may come on your arm, leg or hand. You automatically feel happy that a creature is on you. You have to gently get it off you and put it down so when you get up and go inside it does not follow you OR you worry you may hurt/ kill it but you feel the need to inspect it for a few minutes before letting it go. All in all you are training your mind in the art of calm stillness. If your mind and body is still YOU are still. You learn to be still, the wait and understanding the importance of wait. You can do Business and think "Well, I tried hard on my part if it happens it happens." Maybe you have an exam coming where you frustratingly go through revision notes. You feel the heat on your most hated subjects, you cannot concentrate AT! ALL!? Instead by practising nature and revising, you will smile and learn it form a calm perspective even the things you do not understand... (PLEASE NOTE, don't mistake this for being too calm and not studying, thinking if I get a high grade it'll happen) - YOU have to still try hardest on your part, your full potential. Only difference, are you studying with a calmness or frustration?? When your doing prayers it'll be with a focus ON he prayers and the mind does not wander. OF COURSE! Doing prayers with a focus IS the key... By practising to be in nature EIGHTY PERCENT of your mind will be in focus when doing anything, include Prayers. The rest of the twenty percent is kirpa that you can now focus on any task with efficiency, calm, stillness and FOCUS!