Earlier this month, Dr. Wayne and Ms. Nusrat participated in a Two-Day Earth Compassion Retreat at Harvard Forest. This was designed and led by Michael Ferguson, PhD, Director of Wellness and Self-Discovery for first-year students at Harvard College.
Dr. Ferguson is one of our 2023 Osher Pilot Research Grant awardees, and designing and implementing this retreat serves as one preliminary component for his study entitled, “Reducing loneliness through biophilia and compassion.” This is the first Osher research study funded along the theme of Planetary Health. The event was geared towards First Year Harvard College students and also supported by the Harvard First-Year Experience Office.
Students engaged in contemplative practices including “breathing with trees’ meditation, sound healing, and Qigong with Dr. Wayne; experienced nature connection through indigenous knowledge sharing, forest walks, and an ecology tour of Harvard Forest; built community; and learnt about different spiritual and religious perspectives regarding Earth compassion.
Dr. Peter Wayne teaches students Tai Chi.
Aterah Nusrat (left) Director of Planetary Health, walks through the Harvard Forest with a fellow participant.