Nature Mindfulness Experience: "Feel the Soil, Feel Yourself: A Cool-Down for Mind and Body" (January 22, 2026)
【Date】 January 22, 2026 (Thursday) Lunchtime 13:00~13:50 (50 minutes)
【Conduct / Place】 Face to Face, Forest Garden, Japanese
【Organized by】ICU Mitaka Campus Woodland Office, Farm Project
【Co-organized by】 Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)
【Led and Supervised by】Mr. Yusuke Tanaka (Licensed Clinical Psychologist / CTL)
【Participants】8 people
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the event "Feel the Soil, Feel Yourself: A Cool-Down for Mind and Body" was held at the Forest Garden on ICU Campus. This workshop was co-organized by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the ICU Mitaka Campus Woodland Office, Farm Project.
Many students participated in the event, which aimed to help them refresh their minds and bodies during a busy period when post-holiday fatigue often sets in after the winter break. This project is rooted in the Forest Garden's core concept of "Dialogue-scape" (a landscape that fosters dialogue). By touching the earth and connecting with nature, the event sought to facilitate "inner dialogue" and provide an opportunity for students to reset their mindset for the latter half of the Winter Term.
The supervisor introduced Jon Kabat-Zinn’s (1994) definition of mindfulness: “the awareness that arises through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment” (*1), while explaining its effectiveness in reducing stress and improving concentration.
(*1) Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. New York: Hyperion. p. 4
Away from the noise and disconnected from Wi-Fi, we conducted two mindfulness sessions in the tranquil setting of the Forest Garden.
1. Observation Meditation: "Observing Soil on the Ground through the five senses."
Participants observed fallen leaves, the surrounding scenery, and the soil itself as if they were seeing them for the very first time. By focusing on details—the veins of a leaf, the colors of the sky and earth, the scent of the air, and the texture of the soil in their hands—they quieted their thoughts and cultivated a sense of oneness with nature.
2. Walking Meditation: "Concentrating on the Act of Walking."
Participants walked slowly through the Forest Garden, directing their full attention to the sensation of their feet touching the ground, the shift in their center of gravity, the breeze on their cheeks, and the chirping of birds. They practiced a technique by "narrating" the usually unconscious action of walking in their minds, to suppress "rumination."
【Participants' comments (Excerpts)】
"I started hearing sounds from far away. It made me feel clear-headed and calm.”
“By focusing on the soil, I noticed subtle differences. (When we're constantly overstimulated, we miss the details. Filtering out distractions seems to sharpen that kind of perception.)”
“It made me realize that when I walk, I’m usually only thinking about getting to my destination.”
“I think this initiative could be a real sanctuary for students, especially when things get busy. I truly hope it becomes a regular event.”
“I felt refreshed. I think it would also be great to have an activity where we close our eyes.”
“I’m really glad I could spend time in such a nature-rich part of ICU."
“I’m so glad I could spend time in such a nature-rich part of the ICU campus.”
(The above six comments are translated from the original Japanese.)
“Grateful for time to intentionally reflected in the campus garden. Thank you for the supports.”[sic]
