Medicine
mana
OPO founder and wisdom keeper Chris Connors on the healing art of meditation in nature.
Ibiza has long been touted for its healing powers and whole-hearted embrace of alternative therapies, so it makes sense that OPO, an app that pairs guided meditations with outstanding views and soundscapes, was born here. Its founder, Chris Connors, an Irish native who has called the north of the island home for 12 years, tells us how vision, vibration and frequency can help clear the mind for a deeper, more immersive, transportive meditative experience.
The north of the island is becoming one of the planet’s leading wellness destinations.
We live cnciously, in harmony, in community.
On why location is so important in meditation
I chose location as an important factor in the OPO experience for two reasons: one is to really get a sense of place and nature – there is a lot of research behind the neurological benefits of being immersed in nature. Secondly, I wanted to help people become more grounded in their experience of meditation, and immersing in nature is good way of doing that – of helping you feel expanded and connected.
On the power of nature for the mind
Nature doesn’t have an ego, which is different from the human experience. In nature, you’re able to really relax certain parts of your mind because you’re not in reaction; you’re in a different form of stimulation. OPO is an exploration tool – it’s not just a meditation app. When you’re in a more mindful state, you tend to observe and take in more around you: to experience what people call ‘being in the moment’.
On how location, nature and sound interconnect in OPO
There are three layers to OPO: location and connection to nature; sound and sound immersive experiences, which heighten the neuroplasticity of the brain and give a very beautiful experience; and mindful and breathwork practice. When you add these three together, you have what we call an augmented, expanded experience of reality, and this gives floods of oxytocin and hormonal inputs and deeply relaxes the body. That is an OPO portal experience. They’re very simple, very powerful little experiences.
On the intangible allure
of the north of the island
The north has always had this very special quality. Of course, it also belongs to the rest of the island, but once you get up here, life starts to become enchanting and magical – it’s a distinct place for connection and expansion. We’re finding people coming here from all over the world to heal, to get well, to connect to themselves and to look at elevating their vibration. A lot of the world is living in a vibrational low point, which means that we’re living constantly in fear and negative thought. When people come here, they recharge through different experiences and connections: to the land, to the people, and to the services that are offered. There’s a lot to delight the senses, which is good for people who need to recalibrate. The north of the island is becoming one of the leading global wellness destinations. We live gently, in harmony, in community. We’re working on ourselves with daily practice and attention; we support each other; we work consciously; we live consciously; and we also enjoy all the benefits of the island. It’s a unique part of the world.
On the MAGIC of Ibiza
The Greeks always said there were two types of wellbeing: one was hedonic, meaning to experience pleasure, and the other one was eudaimonic, meaning to experience contentment through self-growth. I think that sums up Ibiza extremely well.