Mindfulness is the practice of bringing attention to what is happening in the present moment while letting go of judging the moment as good or bad. In practicing mindfulness, you choose to breathe into whatever may be happening right now, instead of distracting yourself from it.
The practice of being mindful teaches us to be here now, with the earth as it is, allowing us to lean into pleasant experiences in nature and enjoy them fully.
Join Seth Chapman, local birder and mindfulness leader, for a mindfulness + birding series! During our second session, Centering, we invite our attention into the present moment, coming home to our body and breath, which is where mindfulness begins.
Our session will begin at Wild Birds Unlimited, where we will sip on homemade chai and have a brief discussion on mindfulness and centering. After our talk, we will walk to Woods Lake and center ourselves in nature via a guided relaxation/meditation. Afterwards, we will allow ourselves the time to wander Woods Lake and enjoy the beauty of the birds.
These events are designed to bring mindfulness into your everyday life, and to develop a sense of calm, connection, and confidence outdoors. You will also build birding skills so that you become a more confident birder.
The hike at Woods Lake is easy to moderate in difficulty. We will take our time and hike along the lake.
what you'll experience
Learn the importance of practicing mindfulness
Become more connected to and familiar with a piece of land
Observe and identify birds in their habitat
Connection to the outdoors
Enjoy community connection and complimentary chai along the way
benefits of participating
Support global bird conservation through community science
Connection to Self by practicing mindfulness, fostering joy in the present moment
Deepen your identification skills of birds
Experience the grounding benefits of the outdoors
Connect with others who share an interest in nature and wildlife