G.I.F.T.: Cultivating Mindfulness Through Nature and Photography

Katie Coy, Managing Editor | Sep 11, 2024 11:30 am | Add a comment | 74 reads

In a world that often moves too fast, sometimes it’s good to just take a step back and appreciate the moment. This is exactly what Growth Inspiration Fun Together (G.I.F.T.) aims to do. Founded by Bora S., G.I.F.T. organizes regular activities which embody the core principles of personal growth, the inspiration derived from creativity and nature, having fun in the process, and doing it all together with others.

Currently, there are two main G.I.F.T. activities. The first is Nature G.I.F.T., in which participants embark on curated routes outside Beijing for a mindful hike, with the experience culminating in meditation. The other is Photo G.I.F.T., which focuses on photography and typically involves a walk through Beijing’s hutongs, followed by a discussion about the photos taken.

Bora is a wellness facilitator, mindfulness practitioner, and photography enthusiast with over 20 years of outdoor experience across five continents. Since 2020, he has led mindful hikes around Beijing, combining his passion for nature with a decade of mindfulness practice. We met up with Bora to find out more about G.I.F.T., why he chose to start this initiative and what he hopes people can gain from the workshops.

The origins of G.I.F.T. began simply, explains Bora. “I was stuck in Israel during Covid in 2020 for six or seven months, and then I managed to come back to China. When I came back, I joined the newly formed [group] Community, which is what it [G.I.F.T.] was called back then, and it was basically an initiative created by my friend to raise some community feeling. We started organizing mindful hikes just for friends; basically, it was just taking people to nature, giving them a brief introduction [to mindfulness] and showing people new places, etc. We were doing it like that for one or two years, and then last year I had more free time, so I thought, 'OK what can I do to take it to the next level?'”

The Photo G.I.F.T. workshops were born from Bora's passion for photography. He wanted to find a way to combine photography with mindfulness and an outdoor activity. “In the past, I did a course in Israel at [a college] and I was basically creating movies with groups, teenagers, adults, kids. Through this process of creating a movie, I would ask questions and try to shine a light on the flow of ideas or feelings that people are not always aware of…I thought I could take this concept and bring it to photography. So basically, instead of doing a movie, we organize walks around the hutongs [during which participants] have the free flow of being present in the moment and taking photos without checking messages on your phone, just observing the environment, the details, the people, etc.” Bora continues.

These walks are then followed by a visit to a coffee shop where participants can discuss their work. "Sometimes people take the same photo from different angles," Bora notes, highlighting the subjectivity of photography. "You take your inner world and project it on the people in the photograph."

However, Photo G.I.F.T. is not about perfection. “I want people who participate to not take it too seriously,” Bora emphasizes. It’s not about capturing the perfect photo or achieving a profound experience. Instead, it’s about trying – about being present in the moment and enjoying the journey without worrying about the end result.

Bora tells us that participants are encouraged to approach G.I.F.T. activities with a relaxed mindset. "If you want to check your messages, check your messages. Or for the Nature G.I.F.T., we do half an hour of silent hiking, but if you want to talk while you hike, talk," he shares, underscoring the importance of personal freedom during these experiences. "It's just about the opportunity to try it – that’s what G.I.F.T. is about."

G.I.F.T. is about cultivating mindfulness, being present, and nurturing a healthier lifestyle, Bora continues. "There’s a lot of research that shows being in nature reduces stress, helps you sleep better, and lowers anxiety." The idea of being outdoors as a form of natural therapy is central to the Nature G.I.F.T. philosophy, akin to the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv, or "open-air living."

When it comes to Photo G.I.F.T., the focus is on the state of flow – being absorbed in the present moment. "I want people to get something they need from the workshops," the founder explains. Whether it’s the joy of physical activity from hiking, the creative outlet of photography, or simply a chance to meet new people, the experience is meant to be flexible, allowing participants to set their own intentions.

Bora says that the activities are accessible to everyone, with the Nature G.I.F.T. hikes generally being open to kids aged 8 and older, then 12 and 16 depending on the difficulty level. Photo G.I.F.T. workshops, however, are more suited to adults. More importantly, the workshops are also bilingual, with explanations offered in both English and Chinese by Bora.

Looking toward the future, Bora hopes to be able to run more types of G.I.F.T. workshops, including Inside G.I.F.T., which will emphasize mindfulness and meditation, as well as Movement G.I.F.T. and Art G.I.F.T.

As for the near future, the next Nature G.I.F.T. will be taking place on Mon, Sep 16, and you can sign up for it now by scanning the QR code in the poster below.

Bora will also be doing a Nurture Your Nature Yoga and Mindful Hiking Weekend Retreat with Jess from Sep 20 to 22. You can find more details and a sign-up QR code in the poster below.