Mindful Trails

Tag: Slow Adventures

  • A Quiet Encounter at the Krishnamurti Centre: Reflections from a mindful trail inward

    As part of our Mindful Trails journey exploring slow, conscious living through both outer landscapes and inner terrains, I recently spent two nights at the Krishnamurti Centre in Hampshire. This wasn’t part of a scheduled retreat, but rather a personal pause: a chance to step into stillness and see what surfaced.

    I arrived with only a vague idea of what to expect, and that openness proved to be a gift. Without structure or agenda, I found myself gradually becoming more grounded. Much of my time was spent wandering the stunning grounds and gardens, sitting beneath trees, and simply listening. Just listening.

    There are circular walks mapped out around the centre, and I ventured further afield too. Each step felt like part of a wider letting go. Foxgloves were in bloom on the route, their presence subtle yet vibrant reminding me that even beauty can whisper.

    Meals were shared communally, and while silence wasn’t a requirement, the conversations I had were spacious and intentional, rooted in insight rather than small talk. The food was wholesome and thoughtful, aligning with the atmosphere of care that quietly infused everything.

    I spent time in the library, where Krishnamurti’s writings filled the shelves in many languages. Reading his words amidst that silence felt different from reading at home. It felt embodied. Only on the final day did I visit the quiet room. Sitting there, I experienced a deeper sinking into presence, an encounter with a stillness I recognised but not connected with for sometime.

    Since leaving, I’ve noticed this silence echoing into my daily life. A subtle shift, but real a deepening of the inner trail that supports how I move through the world.

    At Mindful Trails, we often speak of slow adventures, of finding magic in the everyday, and of tuning into both the seen and unseen. This short stay felt like an inward expedition. Less about the path underfoot, and more about the one within.

    If something in this reflection resonates with you or if you’re curious and just need a gentle nudge to take your next step, please feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to share more, swap stories, or walk alongside you for a moment on your own mindful trail.

  • A Mini Mindful Adventure at Winkworth Arboretum

    We set off on a warm, golden day with no real expectations, just a simple family walk, a designated route to follow, and a shared aim to spot butterflies as we wandered. The air carried the scent of trees baked in the recent heat, and the path led us through tall foxgloves, ferns reaching skyward, and butterflies dancing ahead of us.

    As we descended toward the lower paths, the trail followed a gentle stream that weaved through patches of wetland. Eventually, we came to a small opening where the light poured in and the water glimmered through the trees.

    Our children quickly claimed it as their own, “the magical lagoon” they called it. They paddled in the stream, climbed over mossy logs, and let the stilled air wrap around them like a cocoon. Meanwhile, we found ourselves caught in a familiar parenting rhythm: the pull to move on, to stick to the route, to complete what we’d started.

    But then we caught ourselves.

    We paused, dropped the need to continue, and joined them. The reward was a rare kind of stillness. We watched beautiful blue damselflies hover, then land gently on our hands. The water, the soft sounds of the woods, and the joy of letting go. This became the heart of the walk.

    From then on, our pace slowed. We stopped more. Looked more. Let the children lead. The walk became something else entirely. Not a checklist to complete, but a presence to sink into.

    We left Winkworth later than planned and completely unbothered by the fact.

    🧭 Notes for Fellow Explorers:

    • Winkworth Arboretum is a National Trust property, but we used a free family pass. These are occasionally available through offers and promotions, so keep an eye out. We’ll share any we see. You could of course decide to join as a member. Click here for more information.
    • Winkworth Arboretum is well known for its gorgeous yellow, orange and red foliage in autumn and stunning bluebell carpets in the spring.
    • The walk can be adapted for all ages, and there are multiple route options depending on your energy levels.
    • Bring a change of clothes if your little ones like water, they’ll likely want to stay in the “lagoon” for a while.

    ✨ Reflections

    Any simple walk like this can become a mini mindful adventure : a way to reconnect with nature, presence, and each other. Sometimes all it takes is letting go of the route and sinking into the moment.