We are pleased to announce the opening of the Meditation Trail, which invites visitors to commune with nature in their own personal way.
The Meditation Trail was created in honor and memory of Lily Banerjee, whose family chose to honor her with a donation to Bernheim for the installation of this special trail, sited along the beloved Bent Twig Trail.
The Meditation Trail consists of six spurs, each with its own meditation prompt based on a positive attribute of a nearby tree. Signage provides engaging information about the tree itself and then offers a meditation prompt for focusing on that tree’s positive quality. Beautiful handmade wooden benches and decks – crafted by the skilled hands of Bernheim staff – offer a welcoming place to pause, contemplate, breathe and center oneself.
Themes for the meditation prompts include abundance (persimmon), generosity (tulip poplar), strength (red oak) and several others. Since specific trees along the path inspire the themes, Bernheim’s Meditation Trail offers a mindful experience in nature that is profoundly connected with this particular area of forest.
“Our hope is that visitors who follow the trail will feel a deep connection to the place and a powerful sense of the restorative power of nature — a mental and spiritual lift that they can take away with them,” Executive Director, Dr. Mark Wourms said.
In April, willow sculptor and 2019 Artist in Residence Justin Roberts returned to Bernheim to create and install Traverse Divine, an entry archway portal into the Meditation Trail.
The Meditation Trail is self-guided and available when Bernheim is open to visitors.