The guided mindfulness exercise I wrote and recorded works to bring participant awareness from the self -outward. The focus is on how to ground in this place and connect with it in a personal, momentary sphere then moving to a big picture level of the many layers at work in this place. In order to fully know a place one must be able to balance the present awareness and stillness with the background awareness of geologic history, cultural history, and biologic history. This exercise was inspired by Maria Abramovich’s Exercises in Nature, Abrams and the study of phenomenology, as well as Andrea Olsen who, through Body and Earth, helped me synthesize my learning in contemplative practice and environmental studies. Understanding of the Vermont landscape was cultivated by Chris Klyza and Steve Trombulak in The Story of Vermont.

Mindful Understanding of Place

This exercise comes from the book Body and Earth: An Experiential Guide by Andrea Olsen.

Chelsea Colby