Saturday, 25 May

Walking Meditation & Forest Bathing - Hilly Fields Nature Reserve

Join us for a peaceful and rejuvenating experience exploring Hilly Fields Nature Reserve through walking meditation and forest bathing

By Jennifer Gilligan / Mandala Hikes

Select date and time

Sat, 25 May 2024 10:00 - 11:30 GMT+1

Location

Hilly Fields Nature Reserve

99 Crouch Street Colchester CO33HA United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Contact the organiser to request a refund.

Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.

Agenda

9:50 AM - 10:00 AM

Meet ready for 10am at Crouch Street Bakes, 99 Crouch St, Colchester CO3 3HA

Nearest Parking options are: St Mary's Multi-storey Car Park, 2 Balkerne Hill, Colchester CO3 3AA. Or there are a couple of free parking bays in front of 1 Oaks Drive, CO3 3PR - as long as you leave ...

10:00 AM - 10:10 AM

Intros and Social Walk to the Start

10:10 AM - 10:15 AM

Check-in /Opening

10:15 AM - 10:55 AM

5 Senses Walking Meditation including breath and body awareness

10:55 AM - 11:05 AM

Forest Bath and Explore

11:05 AM - 11:20 AM

Mindful Walk - with Optional Barefoot/Earthing Practise

11:20 AM - 11:30 AM

Closing Standing Body Scan & Visualisation Practise

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Optional Coffee and Cake at Crouch Street Bakes

About this event

Walking Meditation & Forest Bathing - Hilly Fields Nature Reserve

A community of nature lovers either bringing their meditation practise outside or starting from scratch with mindfulness; all are welcome. Morning walks will be a 5 senses guided silent walk with body and breath awareness, forest bathing, and optional barefoot walking/earthing practise. Ending with a standing body scan and visualisation meditation. Optional Coffee and Cake social afterwards at Crouch Street Bakes.

Join us for our new location offering this year, for a rejuvenating experience of walking meditation and forest bathing at the beautiful Hilly Fields Nature Reserve. Immerse yourself in the serene surroundings as we guide you through a mindful journey, connecting with nature and finding inner peace.

During this in-person event, you will have the opportunity to engage in gentle walking meditation, where each step becomes a mindful movement. Experience the sensation of the earth beneath your feet with an optional Earthing Practise (barefoot walking) and the rhythm of your breath as you explore the trails.

In addition to walking meditation, we will also practice forest bathing, a Japanese practice known as "shinrin-yoku". Let the soothing sounds of nature and the scent of the trees envelop your senses, as you relax and unwind in the forest.

This event offers a unique opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, and to reconnect with yourself and the natural world. No previous experience is required, just an open mind and a willingness to explore the healing power of nature.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Refund Policy?

If you cancel within 48 hours, or I have to cancel the event for any reason, then I will issue a full refund. Otherwise if you can no longer attend a specific date, then you can use your ticket for any walk over the following 2 months, just let me know the day before your booked walk.

Can I bring children on the walk?

I do not currently offer walks with or for children, but I would like to offer this in the future. If this is something of interest please let me know so I gauge interest.

What do I need to bring?

You do not need to bring anything for the practises but depending on the weather please use your own judgement from the following: Water, rain coat, warm layers, hat, walking boots/shoes for mud, walking sandals or trainers are fine for the terrain if dry, suncream if sunny.

Is the path wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately not, as the paths are unmanaged and frequently muddy with exposed tree roots. If you would be interested in attending an outdoor meditation with a trail designed for accessibility then please let me know and I can look into this for my future offerings.

Organised by

Jennifer Gilligan / Mandala Hikes

Hikes & Walking Meditations with Yoga, Forest Bathing & MindBody Therapy Practises for good Mental Health

Currently the two main events I run are a monthly mindfulness walking meditation and a quarterly 15 mile hike with various mindfulness practises within the woodland areas of the hike. Depending on season these practises will vary on both events.

Mission Philosophy: What is in the name, 'Mandala Hikes'?

The practise of creating a Mandala traditionally is using coloured sand, laying it up and building the pattern over weeks and months, to the point where it is complete, then the Mandala is destroyed. The teaching here is around the impermanent nature of all things. Hiking is very much like this. Each plan and each step is like each layer of sand, building up, moving forward. Then it's done and you descend to start again, keeping nothing with you but the memory of the experience.

If the experience was unpleasant then this is associated with the achievement, creating a disheartening anticlimax, particularly if the weather is bad. We can not always guarantee an amazing clear view at the top. Like in life, with that promotion or car or house or goal, to only seek the destination, that moment is fleeting and then it is gone. It doesn't feel enough, so you are quickly onto the next thing to try and get that momentary high once again.

But if you are present and content in the journey, and with each step, each challenge along the way, you connect deeper, learn and grow. Taking the time to pause and reflect before getting to the summit, or trail end or goal or promotion etc, allows you to approach the destination with gratitude and pride, creating a fully integrated experience, no matter the outcome. Life becomes deeper and richer, if we take these lessons off the trail, life no longer is about each high moment, but every moment. A whole growing, flowing enriching experience that continues to evolve.

£6.13