Contemplative Community Week
Contemplative Community Week
November 18–22, 2024
Depth. Connection. Wholeness.
We are excited to announce our fifth annual Contemplative Community Week for November 18–22! This is a week of presentations, meditation, prayer, and contemplative practices aimed at inviting the whole Seton Hall community to promote holistic well-being, enter into study more thoughtfully and deeply, and form stronger personal and communal bonds. Events and resources for the week will be shared in a variety of modalities—in-person and virtual, indoor and outdoor, synchronous and asynchronous. We are grateful to our co-sponsors for bringing this week to fruition: the Center for Faculty Development, the Center for Catholic Studies, University Libraries, and Campus Ministry. Continue below for the full week’s schedule, links, and additional resources.
Monday, Nov. 18
Contemplating Beauty in Music: Listening with Pan and Apollo
11:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Virtual (in Teams)
Kick off Contemplative Community Week with a reflection on beauty in diverse forms of music. Dr. Jon Radwan will open with an interpretation of Ovid’s myth on musical victory, and Dr. Gloria Thurmond will present three musical examples. Listen as each piece helps us feel and contemplate spiritual beauty in its own way. Headphones are recommended.
Walking Meditation
1:00-1:30pm
Location: The Green (meet at the seal)
Join us to discover contemplation through movement with this walking meditation; it will be led by Dr. Kelly Shea of the English Department. We’ll meet at the seal.
Gratitude Interfaith Dinner
Time: 7:30pm – 8:45pm EST
Location: Bishop Dougherty University Center, Chancellor’s Suite
For the culmination of Interfaith Week 2024, join us to share a meal and express gratitude in all of the many ways our cultures give thanks. All are welcome!
Please RSVP for this event so we can have the correct number of seats and food: https://events.shu.edu/event/37108-gratitude-interfaith-dinner
Practice of the Day: Mindful Eating
Each day this week we will recommend a mindfulness practice. Today try eating one of your meals “mindfully”. Here’s how: https://ro.co/health-guide/mindful-eating/
Resource of the Day: Nod app
This app combines science and student-powered design to give students the skills they need to build meaningful social connections. Take guided steps to progress toward your social goals, complete exercises to reduce negative thoughts and build resilience, and hear from fellow students working toward the same goals. https://heynod.com/
Tuesday, Nov. 19
Coloring for Contemplation
12:00pm – 2:00, 2nd floor, Walsh Library
Drop by the 2nd floor of the Library to start the week with a relaxing coloring session featuring contemplation-inspired images. Coloring pages and crayons/colored pencils will be available free of charge.
Practice of the Day: Mindful Pause
Today whenever you hear a bell or chime (a phone, on your computer, the bell on campus), stop whatever you are doing and take a deep breath before continuing with your activity.
Resource of the Day: Headspace app
“Meditation and mindfulness for any mind, any mood, any goal.” Sleep better, reduce anxiety, relieve stress, feel better, relax. Free trial available (Students have free access to Headspace here).
Wednesday, Nov. 20
One SHU, One Breath
1:00pm
Location: Wherever you are
At 1:00pm today all members of the SHU community are invited to pause whatever they are doing to take one deep, intentional breath. (The One University – One Breath initiative was originated by the Project for Mindfulness and Contemplation at the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota. We express our gratitude to our friends at St. Thomas for sharing this idea.)
Practice of the Day: Gratitude
Sit quietly. Reflect on the many things you are grateful for. Write down three of them.
Resource of the Day: Gratitude Revealed
Select from among 15 beautiful film shorts to explore what gratitude is, why it’s important and what we can all do to live more gracious lives: https://movingart.com/gratitude-revealed/
Thursday, Nov. 21
SHU Meditates
12:30 – 1:00 (in Teams)
Relieve stress and anxiety with a brief guided meditation session led by an experienced instructor.
Practice of the Day: Email/Text mindfully
Learn how: https://www.mindful.org/the-six-rules-of-conscious-emailing/
Resource of the Day: Hallow app
“Hallow is an excellent resource for people searching for deeper spiritual lives….” A Catholic app for prayer and meditation, Hallow is also a resource for sleep, calming music, journaling, scripture, inspiration and more. https://hallow.com/
Friday, September 22
Practice of the Day: Beholding
Find a tree (or a stream or clouds, etc.) and watch it attentively for 5 minutes. Try to notice details that you would normally overlook.
Resource: Garrison Institute Virtual Sanctuary
A virtual space for connection and balance. Participate in retreats and meditation sessions, learn about mental health and contemplative practice in webinars and articles, and explore other resources. https://www.garrisoninstitute.org/the-garrison-institute-forum/
More Contemplative Community Week Opportunities:
Videos of previous Contemplative Community events
Check out the Contemplative Community YouTube playlist for talks on how mindfulness can improve your performance in various areas of work and life, how to use technology mindfully, a musical meditation, and more.
Book Display at Walsh Library
Check out this display of books on mindfulness, contemplative practices and prayer, and a variety of other contemplative topics at the end of the reference book stacks on the second floor of the library (near the photocopiers and Dunkin Donuts).
Don’t want this week to end?
If you would like keep learning about contemplation and/or continuing nurturing a contemplative practice, consider the following:
- Join the Contemplative Community Teams group (open to all) or the Contemplative Pedagogy Teams group (for faculty) to explore more resources and connect with others.
- Join UpliftSHU, a student-run mental health club that upholds tenets of mindfulness, community and empowerment.
- Join faculty and staff Thursdays at 12:30pm in Teams for a weekly guided meditation; check the Events calendar for the link.
- Be on the lookout for announcements about Spring 2024 faculty development opportunities.
- Attend Moonlight Mercy every Wednesday 9:30-10:30pm in the main chapel or Sant’Egidio prayer every Thursday 4:00-4:30pm in the Xavier Hall chapel.
- Download an app like Calm, Headspace, Hallow, or Integration