The Wisdom Walk Trail in Wassaic was recently completed. The purpose of the trail is to help people reduce their anxiety and enhance their spirituality through tranquil interaction with nature. A grand opening and ceremonial blessing of the trail, events that will also be open to the public, will be announced at a later date.    

The trail was created by Michael Gulbrandsen, founder of the Hudson Valley landscaping company Reflections of Nature. Having spent his childhood exploring nature in Upstate New York, Guldbrandsen began studying the connection between hiking trails and sacred spaces with the renewal of the inner self and spirit. Using a variety of ancient traditions, he creates wisdom trails that connect people to nature.   

“Plants want to connect with the people of the land around them, so I instruct homeowners how to make this connection with Grandmother Earth and its inhabitants by walking the trail. You have to pause and take in the magic, slow down your senses—see the forest from the squirrel’s eyes, and listen to nature’s whispers,” he says.     

At the grand opening, Gulbrandsen will be on hand to guide attendees through this process.

“Walking in harmony with nature expands our awareness so we can relax and reduce our anxieties and stresses.  It’s a way for nature to give us some much-needed healing,” says Ann Marie Robustelli, executive assistant of the World Peace Prayer Society. “We will join Michael as we explore the magical forest on this newly constructed trail.”

Location: The World Peace Sanctuary, 26 Benton Rd., Wassaic, NY. For more info, call Robustelli at 845.337.2599.