What if the roots of bonsai stretch back not just centuries, but millennia—far beyond China or Japan, and deep into the sacred soil of ancient India? For years, the origin of bonsai has been shrouded in mystery and debate. But a mix of folklore, forgotten texts, and new research suggests the story might be older—and more complex—than we ever imagined. Here’s what I found when I went digging.

Feeling stressed? I’ve got a better kind of bath for you—no water or bubbles required. In this excerpt from my book Be Happy Forever? Make a Garden!, I dive into Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of forest bathing. It’s slow, mindful wandering through nature, and it might just be what your nervous system needs. This isn’t hiking—it’s arriving. Take a breath, lie back under the trees, and let the forest do what it does best: heal.