A Reflection from Kebon Taman Tirto, Bantul
Last weekend, about fifteen people gathered at Kebon Taman Tirto, a lush green space nestled beside a river and three natural springs in Bantul, Yogyakarta.
Each person came with their own intentions some seeking calm, others longing for stillness, and a few simply wanting to “breathe again” after a long week.
The moment we stepped onto the moist soil and felt the cool air brush our skin, something shifted. The place wasn’t just shady, it felt alive. From the opening meditation to the closing circle, we learned one profound truth: nature is not just the background, it’s the facilitator of healing.
Amid the flow of water and the whisper of the wind, we began to reconnect with ourselves, with others, and with the world that holds us.
Why Nature?
In a world that moves too fast, we often lose touch with the natural rhythm of life.
We chase, we hold on, and we forget to pause.
Nature gently reminds us that we are part of something larger—something steady and alive. At Kebon Taman Tirto, three ever-flowing springs create a soothing soundscape that grounds every breath. Each drop of water carries a quiet message about patience, clarity, and renewal.
During the session, we reflected on water’s role in human life: to calm, to cleanse, and to teach us how to release—slowly.
But beyond reflection, there’s science that backs what we feel.
According to a 2023 study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), regular exposure to nature significantly improves mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. The study highlights that simply being in natural environments can lower cortisol levels, enhance mood, and increase overall emotional well-being.
Nature provides a forgotten hub—a space to reconnect with our breath, our body, and our feelings.
Here, silence isn’t emptiness; it’s an invitation to rest and heal.
In moments like these, surrounded by the green pulse of life, we remember: grounding ourselves in nature isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for balance, clarity, and peace.
Mindfulness with Fransisca: Asking Permission from Nature
We began the day with a gentle mindfulness session led by Frans.
It wasn’t about sitting still for the sake of discipline—it was about softening the body, slowing the breath, and arriving fully in the present.
Before we started, Frans guided us to ask permission from nature—from the soil, the trees, the wind, and the water—to open what needs to be opened, to heal what needs healing, and to protect our boundaries.
He said softly, “We are not here to change nature, but to learn how nature works.”
Each participant then set a small intention for the day: to simply be present, to breathe, or to lay down a burden in a safe place.
Those small intentions became seeds of awareness that carried us through the entire session.
The River Cards: Reading the Flow of Life
Next came The River Cards, a reflective activity designed to mirror one’s life journey.
Each participant received a random card—stone, current, riverbank, bridge, boat, or sun—as a metaphor for where they were in the river of life.
The first question was simple yet revealing: “Where am I right now in my river?”
Then, participants consciously chose two more cards to represent their past and future.
From there, insights began to emerge: What is blocking my flow? What keeps me moving? Who or what becomes my bridge or my boat? And what can I leave safely on the riverbank, for now?
This process revealed patterns—resistance, movement, and moments of rest—reminding us that, like rivers, our journeys are not linear.
There are rapids and rocks, but also calm bends and sunlight glimmering on the surface.
Meeting Mr. Dimas: The Guardian of the Springs
We also met Mr. Dimas, the caretaker of the springs at Kebon Taman Tirto.
Together with his family, he has been tending to this land for years with devotion and love.
He said a phrase that stayed with us long after: “Nature calls.”
There was a quiet stillness after he spoke—as if the same call was echoing within each of us.Perhaps it has always been there, but we were too busy to listen.Kebon Taman Tirto is more than a green space—it’s a water conservation area sustained by the local community.
The springs here provide clean water for nearby residents.
In this place, the relationship between humans and nature is not one of dominance, but of care and coexistence.
Week 4 in the Map of Grief: Depression → Stillness & Reconnection
In the next part of the session, Mrs. Rini, our associate psychologist explained the fourth stage in the map of grief: Depression → Stillness & Reconnection.
It’s not “sadness gone wrong,” she reminded us—it’s the stage where we are invited to slow down, to rest, and to reconnect.
Nature is a profound teacher of stillness.
It knows when to bloom, when to shed, and when to wait.
In that slow rhythm, our nervous system finds safety again.
We soften. We breathe. We remember that healing doesn’t mean rushing—it means trusting the pace of life itself.
Water Meditation at Sendang Putri
Led by Jane, our guest facilitator. We continued with a Water Meditation at Sendang Putri, one of the natural springs in Kebon Taman Tirto.
We stood quietly by the water, eyes closed, listening to the symphony of ripples, birds, and wind.
Jane invited us to set an intention for healing—not to force ourselves to “get better,” but to let the water carry what we can no longer hold.
Water, she said, teaches flow: it does not fight obstacles, it moves around them—always adapting, always alive.
Many of us shed quiet tears, not from sadness, but from relief.
There was peace in simply allowing ourselves to be carried by something greater than our thoughts.
Sharing Circle: Closing with Presence
After a short break, we gathered in a sharing circle.
Each person shared reflections from their River Cards—the memories they uncovered, the emotions they met, and the anchors they wanted to bring home.
It was a circle of deep listening; no one judged, no one advised—only presence.
We ended the session with a meditation of release: letting go of what no longer serves us, keeping what nourishes us, and closing the space gently, with gratitude.
Faces of Warmth and Connection
There were new faces, and familiar ones too.
But what stood out most was the warmth that filled the space.
Here, stories intertwined. We didn’t always agree, but we listened.
The beauty of this community lies not in perfection—but in shared imperfection, held with kindness.
In a world that often values productivity over presence, this gathering felt like a soft rebellion—a reminder that connection is healing.
Reflection: Why Mental Health and Nature Belong Together
We often discuss mental health in enclosed rooms—clinics, therapy sessions, screens.
But healing can also happen under an open sky.
Research shows that spending time in nature lowers stress, calms the nervous system, and enhances focus and mood.
Nature doesn’t demand that we be “okay.” It simply invites us to show up, exactly as we are.
In a time of environmental crisis, the intersection between mental health and ecology feels more urgent than ever.
Because when we learn to care for the earth, we are also learning how to care for ourselves.
Gratitude
Thank you, Earth. Thank you, Trees. Thank you, Wind. Thank you, Water.
Thank you to Mr. Dimas and his family, the guardians of the springs.
To Mrs. Rini, and Jane for guiding us through this gentle journey.
To the Talk Mental Health Indonesia team, for showing up, helping, and holding space together.
And to every participant—thank you for being here, for breathing, and for taking care of each other.
This session may have ended,
but our journey to stay grounded in nature and in life goes on.
Join the Movement
Let’s keep this journey going—because healing grows stronger when shared.
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