Purpose Exploration Trail (JC2)

The practice of mindfulness helps to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing. In practicing mindfulness, we help ourselves to be less overwhelmed or reactive to the things happening around us.

In this "trail", we invite you to find a walking trail or space that you feel most comfortable in. This could be a trail in your neighbourhood park, or your usual walk back from the bus stop or train station, or even in your own home.

As you engage in these mindfulness exercises, we hope you will also become more attuned to your own thoughts and reactions. It is by learning how to slow down and listen to yourselves, that you can learn to embrace living in the present and become intentional in your pursuits.

What to Expect

Your mindfulness exercises will be released on the hour at 10am, 11am and 12pm on the day.

Return to this site to check for the details of the exercise.

For each exercise, read and understand the instructions first. While doing the exercise, it is important for you to keep your phone and other distractions away.

Upon completing all exercises, fill in the respective slide in the Google Slide template in preparation for your class sharing at the end of the day. Please remember to make a copy of the slides for yourself before you key your responses in.

(note: you need to be signed in with your EJC email account)

Pre-Trail Preparation

(1) Breathing

The mindfulness activities will require you to stop and practice breathing.

Watch this video and go through this exercise at least once before the trail so that you will become more familiar with the practice of slowing down.

(2) Mindful Walking

How do we practice mindfulness in our walks? This video will provide you with some tips on how to clear head space and become more aware of your surroundings.

Watch this video at least once if you intend to take a walk for this activity on the day.

(3) Identify your trail or space

Decide on where you would like to take your walk, or the space where you intend to complete the activities.

The activities will require you to sit down for 10-15 minutes.

If you are taking a walk, identify three spots where you can sit down comfortably for 10-15 minutes without being disturbed or distracted.

PLEASE REFRESH THIS PAGE TO LOAD THE ACTIVITIES

Activity 1

Find a comfortable space and set a timer for 10 minutes.

Once the timer begins, close your eyes and take a deep breath.

As you breathe in and out for the next 10 minutes, listen for 10 sounds.

These could be sounds around you (eg. birds, engine starting) or sounds inside (eg. your breath, heartbeat).

Open your eyes once the timer is up.

Once you have finished this exercise, key in the list of sounds heard onto Slide 3.

Activity 2

This exercise is related to your lunch. Once your lunch is ready and when you finish reading this prompt, please put your phone and/or other digital devices away in your bag and do not retrieve it.

Pay attention to your lunch – the colour(s) of it(s) component(s), its smell and it’s overall look.

As you eat slowly, pay attention to the textures you experience. Is it crunchy? Does it get less crunchy over time?

Next, pay attention to the taste(s). Is it salty? Sweet? Sour? Bitter? Umami? How much of each do you taste as you savour your food?

You may wish to refer to this list for possible ways to describe your food.

Once you have finished this exercise, describe your lunch on Slide 4. You may write, sketch, draw or upload a photo of your food to complement the description. Your description should be at least 100 words long.

Activity 3

Find a comfortable space and set a timer for 10 minutes.

Once the timer begins, close your eyes and take a deep breath.

As you breathe in and out for the next 10 minutes, review the last 24 hours in your mind.

Try to recall 3 things that you are grateful for and be as specific as possible.

For example, “I am grateful for my family” could be more specific.

A clear example would be: “I am grateful that my family had a meal together last evening and we had a funny conversation about what happened in school.”

Things that you are grateful for could also take the form of elements you experienced on the walk.

For example, “I am thankful that I felt the wind on my face while I jogged around my block.”

Open your eyes once the timer is up.

Once you have finished this exercise, key your gratitude list into Slide 5.

Upon completing all exercises, fill in the respective slide in the Google Slide template in preparation for your class sharing at the end of the day.

Please remember to make a copy of the slides for yourself before you key your responses in.

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