Hw포천 Wetland Science Center in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, marked its first anniversary on the 11th with a meditation program inviting participants to listen to the sounds of the wetland. Gimhae City said on the 15th that it held the program to expand opportunities for people to experience ecological culture.
Healing music layered over wind and birdsong
The program, held Oct. 11, was called “Listening to the Stillness of Hw포천.” The special meditation session, led by healing musician Bomnunbyeol, was designed specifically for Hw포천 Wetland’s natural environment. By blending healing music with natural sounds such as wind moving through the wetland and birdsong, the program gave participants a chance to step away from daily life and find a moment of ease for body and mind.
Gimhae City said the program showed that Hw포천 Wetland is more than a place to observe and learn about ecology: It can also offer an opportunity to rest and recharge in nature.
Participants highly satisfied with meditation blending natural sounds and healing music
Participants gave high marks to the meditation experience, which combined natural sounds and healing music. Some called for longer sessions and regular programming, saying they hoped meditation at the wetland would become an ongoing offering rather than a one-time anniversary event.
You can meditate anywhere—focus on the sounds of nature
These days, screens and notifications claim much of our attention, and sitting still with your eyes closed for an extended period can feel like a high bar for beginners. Meditation guided by sound lowers that barrier. Rather than trying to empty your mind, simply listening for where the wind is coming from or which direction a bird is calling from can bring your attention back to the present.
It is also worth noting that an ecological site where visitors come to learn about nature can serve as a place for meditation. The approach may feel accessible to families visiting the wetland with children, people who enjoy walking and those accustomed to unwinding through music. For anyone daunted by the idea of going to a meditation center, a nearby wetland, forest or park can be a first place to try meditating. If public ecological facilities offer programs like this regularly, more local residents will have a chance to experience meditation close to home.
Quiz, photo exhibit and potted-plant giveaway mark first anniversary
Hw포천 Wetland Science Center is also holding events that invite visitors to take part in the first-anniversary celebration. The quiz event, “Get to Know Hw포천 Wetland Science Center,” runs through the 18th. Participants scan a QR code to answer 10 questions about the center and the wetland’s ecological environment.
On the 17th and 18th, the center will hold an event called “Happy First Birthday, Hw포천 Wetland Science Center.” Activities include a photo exhibit looking back at the center’s first year, a chance to leave an anniversary message and a social media check-in event. The first 200 visitors to take part in the social media event will receive a potted plant as part of the “Green Sharing” giveaway.