Post written by ACG programs and events intern, Margaux Rierson
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding moments of peace can often feel like an intangible goal. Yet, amidst the chaos, there exists a sanctuary of calm waiting to be discovered right around the corner. Imagine stepping into a world where each breath you take is infused with the fragrant scent of blooming flowers and each step you make is a dance with the gentle rustle of leaves. This is the magic of a meditation walk around the Garden.
The guided meditation walk is a 15-20 minute audio recording centered around different parts of the Garden including different meditation techniques. Specifically around grounding yourself in the present moment, opening up your senses and giving your body what it needs to thrive.
This all started one day when I walked into the Garden as I was doing a walking meditation. I was stressed about school and felt the need to decompress from my day. The Garden for me is a safe zone where I can take a deep breath and let everything go. I wondered if other people felt the same. As I wandered around the Garden and the idea came like a lightbulb. I wanted to create something specifically for the Garden. At the time I was not an intern yet and when the opportunity arose I pitched my idea and a couple months later, I am happy to share my project with everyone.
This project has not only helped me become a better meditator but also understand the different practices. There were definitely a couple challenges along the way, the first one being construction season in Madison. With the constant noise of drilling and sawing, it was difficult to find a time to record the audio. I ended up having to split up the audio files and re-engineer how to put them together. I recorded the audio in a study room at the library and combined it with my favorite hang drum artist. The second challenge was how to direct people in the right direction. I started with adding directions into the meditation but after the first trial of listening in, it was confusing and frustrating. You can imagine my dismay as this meditation was supposed to be relaxing. To fix this problem, I had the joy of working with Nathan Larson, a teaching faculty member at UW-Madison. He has worked in the field of environmental and garden-based education for over 20 years. He had an idea of printing out a few laminated maps and putting key locations on it. When people want to do the meditation, they can take a map with them and put it back when they are finished. Those are only two of the challenges along the way.
I thought the Garden would be a perfect place for a guided meditation walk because the Garden transforms into more than just a collection of plants—it becomes a living, breathing space of mindfulness and reflection. The rhythmic sound of your footsteps on gravel, the play of sunlight filtering through our Katsura tree, and the vibrant colors of petals and leaves all come together to create a harmonious symphony to fill your soul. I wanted to share that experience with others. I find it enchanting that a simple walk among the greenery can turn into a profound meditative experience, offering a respite for the mind and renewal for the spirit. I hope to see some of you utilizing this meditation and please feel free to send feedback!
