The Mirror Walk
Objectives:
- - Enhance sensory awareness and presence through mindful movement and observation in nature.<br />
- - Cultivate a deeper sense of connection with the natural world by exploring the idea of nature as a reflection of the self.<br />
- - Build trust and empathy among participants through shared, non-verbal experiences that foster mutual care and attentiveness.
Preparation: An outdoor setting surrounded by nature is ideal for this activity, but even a city street with a few trees can work well.
Demonstrate the game with a volunteer while explaining the instructions, so participants can see how it works.
Remind everyone to stay silent throughout the activity, except when invited to "look in the mirror."
You’ll also need a bell or chime to signal when it’s time to switch turns.
Tools needed: No tools needed.
Description
Participants form pairs and take turns guiding one another in silence, with one person closing their eyes.
Without vision, the guided person naturally becomes more curious and attuned to their other senses, while also practicing trust in their partner.
The guide, holding their partner’s hand, arm or shoulder, gently leads them and offers various sensory experiences — the scent of a flower or leaf, the texture of grass or bark, the sound of birds or distant voices — all without speaking.
The pace is slow and mindful, allowing each moment to be fully experienced. From time to time, the guide carefully adjusts their partner’s head, as if framing a photograph, and softly says: "Open your eyes and look in the mirror." The guided person opens their eyes briefly, taking in the scene as a reflection of themselves in nature.
After a set amount of time, signal a switch using a bell or chime, and partners change roles.
At the end of both rounds, participants come together in small groups of four to reflect on the experience. After about ten minutes, open up a full group sharing circle with guiding questions such as:
- What did you notice?
- What surprised you?
- What feelings came up while guiding or being guided?
Variations
You must be logged in to add a variation.
Resources
The Work that Reconnects by Joanna Macy
Comments
Make sure you choose a safe place for this activity.
You must be logged in to add a comment.