FAR EAST MINDFULNESS CENTER
Nashville, Tennessee
WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?
-the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
WHERE DOES MINDFULNESS COME FROM?
- Originally from Buddism and originating in practice from the Buddah over 2500 years ago.
- While these practices have assumed different forms over the millenia, their purpose has remained constant: to end suffering.
- While the concept of Mindfulness is eastern in origin, it is also non-denominational and used as a stress reduction practice, also known as MBSR therapy.
- When practiced it eliminates our “auto-pilot” setting.
- It changes knee-jerk reactions.
- Improves skills to be able to “think” about what we are doing and how we want to react to something.
- Allows space to navigate challenging situations.
- Boosts emotional intelligence.
HOW CAN MINDFULNESS BENEFIT HUMANITY?
- Promotes creativity.
- Improves overall health.
- Growing urban sprawls add more stress for commuting, as well as other strains on timemanagement, income, population density, and many other growing pains as a city grows.
- Political and racial tensions, among other societal stressors.
- Many of us never “turn off”.
- We live in a “now” culture where there is no PAUSE BUTTON. (social media, smart phones- constantly demanding our attention) 04
- The purpose of meditation and mindfulness is to move from mindless doing, or being on automatic, to being present with ourselves, others, and live fully aware and intentionally.
WHY DO WE NEED MORE MINDFULNESS?
THE WHAT, WHERE, HOW, & WHY…
I propose to bring a Mindfulness Center to the Nashville community that welcomes both natives and tourism alike, teaching everyone how to become MINDFUL in their daily lives.
This center will serve as both a national retreat center for those who wish to do a multi-day intensive course on Mindful living, as well as offer a daily retreat for those wanting to procure Mindful practices and meditation into their lives.
The Far East Mindfulness Center (FEMC) will be a place for community, support, education, and enlightenment.
SPIRIT ROCK MINDFULNESS RETREAT CENTER WOODACRE, CALIFORNIA
"If you do not turn inward, you will never know reality."
- Ajahn Chah
WHERE? OLD NAVAL RESERVE BUILDING
SHELBY BOTTOMS PARK, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
WHY?
- Prime location for many urban neighborhoods, connected by the park.
- Attracts many communities already with walking trails, ballfields, cycling greenway, nature sanctuary.
- A large part of Mindfulness is connection with the natural worldthere is a river, trees, wildlife, and miles of trails to support this.
- Capacity of 100 - Large common room for retreats - Locker rooms - Private meditation rooms for small groups / individuals - Reading room - Gift shop - Café - Outdoor labrynth
WHAT WILL IT INCLUDE?
- Bike racks
- Green roof for sustainability and for visitor enjoyment
- Pet curbing station
- Outdoor butterfly garden
IT WILL ALSO HAVE…
DESIGN COMPONENTS
- Sustainable materials
- Green roof (benefits environment and building itself)
- Repurposed or reclaimed goods
- Solar glass
- Mohawk Cradle to Cradle carpet tile
- Reclaimed pine flooring
- Zero VOC paint
I N T E R I O R
F I N I S H E S
It’s important to keep the connection with nature, so the finishes will consist of sustainable “Cradle to Cradle” materials, that mimic things found in nature. Along with those finishes, and emphasis on natural light will be important.
Other finishes will consist of reclaimed wood, local artisan tile made 100% sustainably with clay from Red Rock Tileworks, and other various thoughtful design elements.
CUPOLA IN MAIN SANCTUARY
LIGHTING BY AQUA CREATIONS
OUTDOOR LABRYNTH
OUTDOOR LANDSCAPING
WALKING TRAILS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Community health by learning to DE-STRESS
- Intentional community
- A way for kids and adults to learn new ways to deal with stress and live a more prosperous and happy life
- Create another source of income for the city with tourist traffic to the center
- A place for park-goers to grab food and drink (support community activity)
- A practicing center for the mindfulness community in Nashville
WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS CENTER…
I THINK THAT OUR SOCIETY IS A DIFFICULT PLACE TO LIVE.
IF WE ARE NOT CAREFUL, WE CAN BECOME UPROOTED, AND ONCE UPROOTED, WE CANNOT HELP CHANGE SOCIETY TO MAKE IT MORE LIVABLE.
MEDITATION IS A WAY OF HELPING US STAY IN SOCIETY. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
WE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE WHO ARE ALIENATED FROM SOCIETY AND CANNOT BE REINTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY.
WE KNOW THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN TO US IF WE ARE NOT CAREFUL (HANH, 1987).
FAR EAST MINDFULNESS CENTER
COMING SOON IN SPRING OF 2018