The Bahá'í community in the English town of Swindon had pioneered the use of the Tranquillity Zone in this country. A local member explained:

Our understanding of the Tranquillity Zone in Swindon is to help people take their first step along the spiritual path, on their spiritual journey. We promote the Tranquillity Zone as an oasis of calm and well-being for the body, mind and soul. It is held in a beautiful candlelit tent-like setting, surrounded by fragrant flowers and drapes. Guests can enjoy a few unhurried moments to reflect on some inspiring words mainly from the Bahá'í Writings, with soothing music, specially chosen to uplift the heart and nourish the soul.

The Tranquillity Zone is a community service project which has been running for three years now. The service we are offering is that of spiritual development and spiritual enrichment. Swindon prides itself on being an economically prosperous town. But emphasis on material development only can never respond to all the needs of a human being. Prosperity in its true sense includes both material and spiritual well-being.

A survey on stress

We did a survey a few months ago in Swindon town centre which revealed that a great majority of people suffered stress at work and needed to find ways of dealing with this stress. According to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) stress costs the UK £7 - £8 billion a year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) claim that around 60 per cent of consultations at GP surgeries are stress related, which can lead to depression and other illnesses.

This kind of research indicates that it's not enough to simply concentrate on economic prosperity and material well-being, because we pay the price in ill-health, sick days and low morale. We need to strike a balance by nurturing an inner strength and an awareness of our spiritual side. This has can have many positive effects, including helping us handle more effectively situations which cause stress. We believe that the Tranquillity Zone is putting a bit of the spirit back into Swindon.

It is made clear that the Tranquillity Zone is an initiative of the Bahá'ís of Swindon. The Tranquillity Zone is a place where people can find time to rest and reflect on what is important in life. We find that people who attend the Tranquillity Zone return many times and recommend it to their friends. They are touched by the sincere environment of love and friendship and this is what attracts people back. More than 2,500 people have attended the Tranquillity Zone in Swindon. Seven sessions are held each fortnight, with an extra lunchtime session every Friday at 1pm.

In Swindon, the Tranquillity Zone is presented to the public in two ways:

I		As an outreach service, when we visit different community groups, businesses, clinics, hospital and more recently schools, to offer them a way of dealing with increasing levels of stress. Some of the groups we have visited so far include: an organisation to help people overcome their drug problems, where regular monthly sessions are held; the local hospital; an Aids advice centre for victims and their families; centres and clinics which cater for people with mental health problems; a nursing home; a centre for the disabled; a staff support centre for hospital staff; family centres; businesses and schools. We have also run Tranquillity Zones for staff at Swindon Borough Council.
II		As a service open to all members of the public: These sessions for the public have been held in a leisure centre venue in Swindon town centre for the past three years. It houses swimming baths, a gym, a women's health centre and its rooms are rented by practitioners of alternative medicines.

Of course these approaches are not the only ways in which Tranquillity Zones can be used. Each community has to consult and find their own way. We have heard good reports of some places where Zones are held in people's homes by Bahá'ís. Whatever the approach, the aim is the same: to offer a service of spiritual development and enrichment to all who participate.

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