Mindfulness for Earth: Charting a Path for Higher Education

Date: October 19-21, 2022 Location: Saybrook Point, 2 Bridge Street, Old Saybrook, CT 06475

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This workshop is presented by the University of Connecticut Office of Global Affairs, Mindfulness for Earth, and UN Environment Programme Faith for Earth. A full workshop agenda can be found below, and accommodations at Saybrook Point are available through Saturday, October 22nd.

To allow for substantive discussion, this workshop is by invitation only. If you wish to suggest a participant, please email global@uconn.edu.

WORKSHOP PREMISE

Mindfulness for Earth connects human consciousness and awareness of the present moment with an appreciation of the earth’s ecosystems that we inhabit. Research indicates that time spent in nature improves both physical and mental well-being, with active environmental engagement having more benefit than passive exposure. The current environmental and spiritual crises are connected. By focusing the mind on the natural world around us with intention, we can improve ecosystem health and well-being holistically inclusive of humans and non-humans alike.

Neuroscience research reaffirms mindfulness as a skill and lifestyle that can be developed to cultivate awareness of one’s inner and outer environment. While the inner environment refers to one's habitual tendencies, the outer environment refers to planet Earth, its climate, bio-geochemical cycles and complex ecosystems.

The well-being of human-beings depends on the well-being of the natural environment. They are intricately connected. What this means for higher education is the focus of this workshop.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

Workshop participants will explore mindfulness for earth practices in higher education and propose creative ways to promote healthy student environmental engagement. We will discuss relevant research too. A key objective for the group will be to identify innovative mindfulness for earth practices specifically for higher education curricula, co-curricular activities and campus-wide health services and related activities.

We hope to make a positive impact on student and faculty emotional wellbeing while also transforming their personal relationships with nature, including more awareness of individual carbon footprints and environmentally destructive lifestyles. We will also be developing forms of pedagogy that—hopefully to help significantly reduce human consumption and transform peoples’ personal lifestyles too.

The workshop will bring together approximately 35 scholars, practitioners, students and university administrators