The Garden is getting Zen.
Brooklynites looking to leave the frantic modern world behind can escape to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on July 30, when an immersive musical and meditation experience will offer a chance for quiet, uninterrupted reflection. Participants in the SilentHike will each don a pair of headphones, which will play a broadcast of guided meditation and music created by composer Murray Hidary. The walk is part of a series he has created called MindTravel, which adds hiking and the beauty of nature to his original music to create a profound experience, said the Brooklyn native.
“I created SilentHike to include nature and movement as well. For me, nature is a tremendous inspiration,” said Hidary. “As a composer, I created Mind Travel as an overall experience for people to reflect, contemplate, and connect deeply within and with each other.”
During the SilentHike, participants will travel from the north end of the Garden’s Cherry Esplanade, through the Rose Garden to the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, where Hidary will play an improvised number on a “silent” piano, with the music transmitted directly to the headphones of his listeners. The music helps to keep participants grounded, said Hidary.
“I really aspire to have people connect with the deepest part of themselves. It is partially a guided walking meditation with an experience to connect them with the present moment,” Hidary said.
The night’s two, 45-minute SilentHike experiences will allow people to take a break from mindlessly scrolling through Instagram photos and to reflect on their day, he said.
“People seldom make time to have an hour to be and reflect. It is incredible what happens when you make that space for yourself — people often have tremendous clarity after the SilentHike experience,” said Hidary.
“SilentHike” at Brooklyn Botanic Garden [990 Washington Ave. between President and Carroll streets in Crown Heights, (718) 623–7200, www.bbg.org]. July 30 at 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Free with $15 Garden admission ($8 seniors and students).
