Chang Jae Lee is a former Visiting Professor in Forest Sciences at Chungbuk National University. He previously served as President of the Korea Forest Welfare Institute and the National Institute of Forest Science, and as a Senior Forestry Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). He also held key leadership positions within the Korea Forest Service.

His work focuses on the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of forest therapy. He earned his Ph.D. in Forestry from Seoul National University.

Strengthening the Spiritual Dimension of Forest Therapy

— For Holistic Human Health and the Vitality of Our Planet —

The term “spiritual” first appeared in official forestry documents during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. The Forest Principles adopted at that time defined the concept of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) by including spiritual needs alongside social, economic, ecological, and cultural dimensions. I believe that spirituality lies at the heart of SFM, representing a paradigm shift in the international forestry paradigm. In this context, forest therapy serves as a vital field that addresses both the cultural and spiritual needs within these categories.

Due to its abstract nature, “spirituality” can be difficult to define. A report on Aboriginal spirituality aptly describes it as “a dynamic, evolving, and contemporary expression.” In the context of forest therapy research, it is generally summarized through three core values: (i) Interconnectedness: A deep realization of the profound ties between oneself, others, nature, and the sacred; (ii) Meaning & Purpose: Discovering the fundamental values of life and one’s reason for being; (iii) Transcendence: An encounter with a greater whole that goes beyond the ordinary self. While the term often carries religious overtones, in a modern sense, it is increasingly used in existential and secular terms to describe the human experience.

Recently, the term “Forest Philosophy” has gained traction in Korea, leading us to reflect on its relationship with spirituality. In their 2021 study, Catharina de Pater et al. applied Ninian Smart’s seven-dimensional model to forest management, placing “Biophilia”—the fundamental basis of forest therapy—within the philosophical dimension. Throughout history, philosophers across the East and West have contemplated human existence while immersed in nature; this process is itself a dimension of restoring and enhancing spirituality.

Why is strengthening spirituality essential in forest therapy?

• First, to address the existential and emotional crises of modern life. While forest therapy has focused on measurable indicators (such as NK cell activity, HRV, and cortisol) or visible psychological shifts (POMS), these alone are insufficient to resolve the “existential vacuum” and digital burnout of the modern era. When spiritual well-being is integrated, it provides the psychological resilience and emotional regulation needed to fit the final piece of the puzzle: holistic health.
• Second, it provides a foundational mindset to combat global environmental challenges. Recognizing that humanity is part of a “living community” gives strength to our response to the climate crisis. The conceptualization of Shinrin-yoku in Japan was rooted in Shintoism, which believes divine spirits reside in the forest. Similarly, in Korea, forests have long been regarded as sacred sites for moral cultivation, as seen in the foundation myth of Shin-dan-su. Such spiritual views of nature have existed across all cultures, East and West. Strengthening spirituality in forest therapy is, therefore, a return to its original roots and a way to recover the connection lost to modern civilization.

To strengthen spirituality in this field, we must pursue the following:

• Establish an interdisciplinary bridge between natural and human sciences. As E.O. Wilson advocated in Consilience, we need collaborative research involving evolutionary biology, ecopsychology, medicine, and philosophy. This includes developing specialized scales—referencing the Nature Relatedness Scale (NR) or Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS)—to measure spirituality specifically within the forest context.
• Develop institutional frameworks and enhance professional expertise. We must strengthen the “humanistic and spiritual competency” of forest therapy instructors and intentionally design “sacred spots” within healing forests—spaces dedicated to reflection and spiritual restoration.

By strengthening the spiritual dimension, we can restore the holistic health of human beings. This is the path to saving our planet. Only when the Earth thrives can humanity truly survive.