Mindfulness Program for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in Incheon

In the village of 'Our Town' in Ganghwa, Incheon, a meditation program for individuals with developmental disabilities has been receiving enthusiastic responses. Led by Professor Kim Jae-sung from Yongin University, the program has been running since October, with a total of 12 sessions held. During a recent session, participants eagerly awaited the arrival of Professor Kim's red car, a sign that meditation time was near.

At 2 PM, the meditation session began with participants lying on yoga mats. Professor Kim introduced a sound meditation, encouraging everyone to focus on the calming sounds of a singing bowl. This was followed by a loving-kindness meditation where participants repeated affirmations such as, 'I am precious and the best. I wish to be happy.' The focus of their well-wishes expanded from themselves to include their community, family, friends, and all living beings.

After about 30 minutes, the group reconvened for another sound meditation, where participants enthusiastically counted the number of times the singing bowl was struck. The session continued with breath awareness and mindful eating exercises, where participants sampled nuts and reflected on their sensory experiences. The final activity was a standing meditation, where Professor Kim likened their bodies to mountains, emphasizing the importance of remaining grounded amidst life's challenges. The hour-long session was filled with laughter and joy.

This was the 12th meditation class at 'Our Town,' which was initially met with skepticism. However, the program has transformed into a meaningful experiment, with participants now expressing excitement about their progress. The initiative was inspired by Bishop Kim Sung-soo of the Anglican Church, who founded 'Our Town' to support individuals with developmental disabilities. He believes that since these individuals often struggle to express their needs, it is essential to provide them with positive experiences proactively.

Responding to Bishop Kim's vision, Jo Sung-taek, the director of the Mind Lab, collaborated with experts to implement the program. The meditation sessions are facilitated by Professor Kim, while sociological analyses of the program's impact are conducted by Dr. Jeong Byeong-eun and Professor Jo Kyung-jin from Yonsei University and Korea Cyber University, respectively.

After a successful pilot phase, the program resumed in February, with 8 out of 9 participants expressing a desire to continue. The program has been a first for 'Our Town' in terms of self-exploration through meditation, and the positive feedback has been overwhelming. Dr. Jeong, initially skeptical, has changed his perspective after observing the participants' engagement and responses. One participant even shared their experience at home, reciting loving-kindness phrases, a first for the program.

Director Jo expressed satisfaction with the program's unexpected success and hopes to secure funding for long-term research in the future.