Mindfulness and Liberation at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

How Mindfulness Enhances the Museum Experience

In December 2019, I visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, DC, at the suggestion of Ericka Phillips—a mindfulness meditation guide and community organizer. Ericka collaborates with the museum to design mindfulness-based programming that deepens visitor engagement with the exhibits.

"The museum represents the journey of Black Americans—a story of liberation. Similarly, meditation is a practice of freedom in the present moment." — Ericka Phillips

The Power of the NMAAHC’s Immersive Exhibits

The NMAAHC offers a visceral, emotional journey through African American history:
- Descending into History: Visitors enter a time-traveling elevator to 1400, beginning with the transatlantic slave trade.
- Confronting Trauma: Tight, dark spaces simulate the horrors of enslavement and forced labor.
- Rising Through Struggle: Exhibits progress through Emancipation, Jim Crow, Civil Rights, and modern triumphs.

The Role of Mindfulness in Processing History

Ericka observed that visitors often experience intense emotions while exploring the museum. Her mindfulness programs aim to:
- Provide space for guided reflection
- Encourage present-moment awareness
- Help visitors process grief and inspiration

The Healing Space: The Contemplative Court

One of the museum’s most profound features is the Contemplative Court, where:
- A waterfall creates a calming mist
- Visitors sit in quiet reflection
- Grief transforms into resolve for change

Mindfulness as a Tool for Liberation

Ericka’s work highlights how mindfulness can:
1. Ground visitors in challenging moments
2. Connect personal liberation with historical struggles
3. Inspire action through self-awareness

"I hope to help visitors reflect on freedom and draw strength from this story of triumph." — Ericka Phillips

Visiting the NMAAHC Today

While in-person mindfulness programs are paused, the museum offers online mindfulness events. Check their events page for updates.

Why This Matters

Mindfulness at the NMAAHC bridges past and present, showing how inner freedom aligns with the ongoing fight for justice. As Ericka demonstrates, even brief moments of awareness can fuel lasting change.

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Mindfulness at NMAAHC: A Journey of Liberation