A group of Ottawans learned the secret to leaving it all behind — at least for a little while — in the serene setting of Strathcona Park on Sunday.
Representatives from Ottawa Buddhist temple Hilda Jayewardenaramaya brought one of its non-denominational meditation sessions outside Sunday as a part of its second annual Meditation in the Park series.
“The park is a great place for the event,” said temple spokesman Asoka Weerasinghe.
Not only does it allow people to get outside and enjoy the summer, it allows passersby to see what meditation is about, removing the some of the mystique.
Orleans resident Lucie Thivierge began meditation in November “to grow personally and spiritually.”
Since then, she’s found that she’s become “a lot calmer and a lot more in tune with things.
“I’m also letting go of non-important things,” she said.
Fourteen-year-old Genevieve Bergeron attended a session for the first time with her mother, Paula Dignan.
Dignan, who began meditating at a Buddhist temple, was glad to take meditation outside during the summer.
Meditation allows you to purge negative energy and stress, she said. “You feel more inspired, and less afraid,” she said. “It gives you tools to balance your everyday life. You can take a step back and breathe a bit and understand that there’s more to life than going through the grind.”
