It
is reassuring to know that in a corner of Swindon
there is a place to escape the hustle and bustle
of life. Reporter SARAH HEATHCOTE entered the Tranquillity
Zone. TV’S CHANGING Rooms team could learn
a lot from the organisers of Swindon’s Tranquillity
Zone. Every fortnight a cold empty room at the Health
Hydro in Milton Road is transformed into a warm
and fragrant oasis of calm and well-being –
thanks to the efforts of the local Bahá'ís.
Increasing numbers of stressed Swindonians have
been searching for inner peace and serenity and
are discovering it in the Tranquillity Zone.
The initiative was started three
years ago to help people cope with their stress.
But it has become more than that, as Fidelma Meehan,
Bahá'í Projects Co-ordinator explained.
"Beyond the stress relief the Tranquillity
Zone offers, we are finding that people who come
along are becoming more aware of the need for
spirituality in life," she said. When you
step into the Tranquillity Zone you find yourself
in a mystical tent, lit with candles and strewn
with cushions, fresh flowers and oriental rugs.
"Within this meditative setting guests can
sit back for 40 minutes and enjoy a restful, spiritually
enriching experience of inspiring words and soothing
music," said Fidelma. "The Tranquillity
Zone is nourishment for the soul and responds
to a real void in our lives. In many UK towns
and cities, people are enjoying relative material
prosperity and well-being through economic development.
But this cannot respond to all the needs of people
today.
"The Tranquillity Zone is
a significant community service project which
started in Swindon and has grown nationally and
internationally. "One of the criticisms of
Swindon when it did not win city status was that
it lacked community spirit and was too much of
a materialistic bid. Hopefully, through the Tranquillity
Zone and other initiatives we can contribute to
strengthening the spirit of Swindon.
"Our ultimate goal is to have
a Tranquillity Centre in the town." Thousands
of people have already attended sessions in Swindon,
sometimes in their own working environment, as
the Tranquillity Zone is mobile. Staff at Princess
Margaret Hospital and workers at Swindon Borough
Council are among those who have had their workplaces
transformed.
Councillor Derique Montaut (Lab,
Moredon) experienced the Zone for himself. He
said: "My experience of the Tranquillity
Zone was more than just peace and calm. It took
me to a different world away from political conflicts
and hostility to reflect on the kind of society
I would like to live in.
"The Tranquillity Zone creates
unity between people of all races and beliefs
and it’s good for the town. I feel that
this experience has made me a better person. It’s
an experience not to be missed and I’d like
to see more Tranquillity Zones in many more areas
of Swindon." The Swindon Bahá'ís
are members of the worldwide Bahá'í
Faith who organise the Tranquillity Zones which
are free and open to people of any denomination.