Exploring the influence of the physical environment on mindfulness practices in secular retreat context

Abstract

The benefits of mindfulness on the well-being of people have now been established across disciplinary fields. Likewise, the physical environment’s capacity to restore attention and reduce stress has also been evidenced through research. Nature-based mindfulness interventions have started to investigate the inner-outer relationship of the person. However, the synergy between mindfulness practices and the physical environment in general has received much less attention. This study took the ‘retreat experience’ as a focus of study setting and explored how mindfulness practitioners and teachers perceive the impact of the physical environment- natural and built- upon their formal and informal mindfulness practices. In this study, in addition to the meditation hall where formal meditation took place, the natural, open outdoor space, the dining hall, and the accommodation areas were also investigated. The justification for this study was that retreat experiences, where the primary intention for both the instructor and the retreatants is to cultivate mindfulness moment by moment, were impacted by the physical context. Each moment, together with the spatial setting that accompanies it, lays the groundwork for the next, collectively forming a coherent and continuous narrative. Study I was conducted in two retreat settings through participant observation by the researcher, a pilot questionnaire administered to 16 retreatants, and interviews with the mindfulness instructor and the center operators. The results provided us with insights into the nature of the relationship between the inner and outer worlds, pointing to the significance of multisensory experiences, spatial interrelations, and the dynamic relationship between formal and informal practices. Afterwards, Study II was conducted across a broader range of retreat centers, both local and international, involving a larger number of participants. In total, data were collected from 53 retreatants, 4 mindfulness instructors, and 2 center operators through online questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation methods. The results further reinforced the findings of Study I, highlighting how multisensory and spatial elements within retreat environments significantly shape and enhance or hinder mindfulness experiences.