Gardens and Labyrinth

Santa Fe’s weather is relatively mild, with over 300 days of sunshine each year. As a result, students and faculty enjoy time outdoors year-round, and we have created space on campus for socializing as well as quiet reflection.

We have a garden in the center of campus where many students spend time. There are prayer flags here from the Native American tradition as well as a Quan Yin statue, where some meditate. As a student here, you might find yourself doing a class exercise out in this garden during the spring, summer or fall months.

We created a peace and meditation garden adjacent to the art therapy complex that is available for peaceful reflection. The garden has a “Zen-like” feel with a pergola, rock fountains and seating to offer respite before or after classes and special events, or to work in cohort a dyad or triad outdoors during classes.

There is also a labyrinth on campus that was created by the students from the Trauma, Grief and Renewal Certificate program. The labyrinth is used by individuals for meditation, and students may also find they are using it within the context of a class. Adjacent to the labyrinth is a fire pit for ceremony and ritual—commonly used in the Ecotherapy Certificate program, and also during weekend intensives in the Consciousness courses.

The most recent additions to our campus occupy the back yard of the Tierra Nueva Counseling Center. Our amazing landscaping team created an outdoor walking path, a life-size “Zen sand rake tray,” and a community garden, where students and staff enjoy growing flowers and vegetables.