First Annual SHU Contemplation Week

March 15 – 19

A week-long series of events promoting mindfulness and contemplative practices and pedagogy.

 

A series of events promoting mindfulness and contemplative practices and pedagogy.

March 15-19, 8:30 – 9:15am

“Daily Contemplation”

Start each day this week with a 30-45-minute session were you can learn about and practice a different form of contemplation.

Come one day or every day; it’s up to you!

Click here to join the meeting

 

Monday 3/15 Yoga with Angela Weisl

Yoga is a contemplative, restorative practice, connecting breath to movement, and creating space in the mind and body by releasing tension and opening the heart.  This practice will allow us to care better for ourselves, others, and the world around us. This session will involve meditation, breath practice (pranayama), and easy movement (asana).

Tuesday 3/16  Centering Prayer with Fr. Carl Arico .

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

When we say ‘let us pray’ we are saying we want to deepen our relationship with the Lord. Prayer is a 4-step dance with the Lord – to read, to reflect, to respond, to rest. Centering Prayer is not only a prayer of resting; it is a prayer of consenting – celebrating the saying of ‘yes’ to the Lord.

Wednesday 3/17 Contemplation in the Islamic Tradition with Athar Murtuza

“Contemplating Divine Grace in His Creation”

This presentation seeks to show that the Qur’an, itself a manifestation of Divine Grace, exhorts human beings to discern, to contemplate, and to be grateful for the Grace manifested gin the creation and bestowed on His creatures.

Thursday 3/18 Jewish Meditation: “A Contemplation of Light” with Rabbi Alan Brill

This session will open a window in the world of the Kabbalah with its contemplation of lights and colors.

Friday 3/19 Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading) with Msgr. Richard Liddy

This session will consist of a participatory reading of a Sacred text interspersed with quiet time to allow the text to speak to each individual personally.

 

March 15, 3:30 – 4:30pm

“The Science of Mindfulness”

Roberta Pughe, EdS, MA

Presenter: Roberta Pughe, EdS, MA

Roberta Pughe, the Clinical Director of The Center for Relationship, LLC, in Princeton, New Jersey, and a Clinical Fellow with The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, will talk about the physical and psychological benefits of contemplative practices. The session will also include experiential exercises and a Q&A opportunity.

Click here to join the meeting

 

March 16, 4:00 – 5:00pm

A Contemplation Week Event

“Meditation for the Classroom”

Presenters:

Marianne Lloyd, Psychology department

Michael Taylor, Political Science and Public Affairs department

Peter Savastano, Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice department; Religion department

Faculty members who use meditation in their classes will discuss how it can help students focus and encourage them to take a mindful approach to their learning. These strategies can also be used for meetings and other gatherings.

Click here to join the meeting

 

MARCH 17, 9:30 – 10:30am

Contemplative Pedagogy: An Introduction

Patrick Manning, Pastoral Theology department

Kelly Shea, English department

Chad Thralls, University Core

Ruth Tsuria, Communication department

What is Contemplative Pedagogy and how can it positively impact both you and your students? Several faculty who are participating in a Contemplative Pedagogy Faculty Leadership Seminar this semester will talk about why they have chosen to engage with this pedagogical approach and how they currently engage this practice. This session will be in the form of a moderated discussion, and will include open Q&A.

Click here to join the meeting

 

March 18, 3:30 – 4:30pm

“Touching the Infinite: Exploring the Sacred Minimalism of Arvo Pärt”

Presenter:

Jason Tramm, Communication and the Arts

Join us for an exploration of the work of one of the most performed living composers, Arvo Pärt, whose compositions have been described as both spiritual and transcendent. Attendees will learn about and listen to examples of Pärt’s work.

Click here to join this TEAMS LIVE event.

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March 18, 7-9pm

The 5 Powers (film)

Moderator:

Anthony Nicotera, Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice

An award-winning film about Thich Nhat Hanh, Sister Chan Kong, Alfred Hassler, and their involvement with the peace movement of the 1960’s.

Click here to join the meeting

 

March 19, 11:00am – 12:00pm

“Contemplative Drawing”

Instructors:

Lauren Schiller, College of Communication and the Arts

Bonnie Sturm, College of Nursing

Explore drawing as a contemplative practice, a way to quiet the mind and lower stress. Learn how drawing can increase mindfulness and the ability to discover beauty in ordinary things. In this session, we will consider drawing as one way to enter into a state of flow and present moment awareness.

You will want to have the following available to participate:

-a smooth black pen that doesn’t smudge

For example, a .03 or .05 Micron pen, an Ultra Fine Point Sharpie or an extra fine rolling ball Pilot pen).

-A “thicker” pen, if possible

-2 pieces of paper

Good quality drawing paper is nice but printer paper will work too. It’s helpful to have the sheets in a pad or taped to a board if possible.

Click here to join the meeting

 

March 19, 12:30 – 1:30pm

SHU Meditates

Leader: Peter Savastano, Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice department

Join us for an hour-long guided meditation session. During that time you will learn about and practice several meditation techniques. All members of the Seton Hall Community are welcome.

Click here to join the meeting

 

In addition, we invite everyone to take up a “Contemplative Challenge” each day of Contemplation Week. Here are some ideas:

Monday: Breathe. Try to take a deep breath every time you complete an activity.

Tuesday: Loving kindness. Think of all the good things you wish for yourself. Wish those things for the people you encounter throughout the day.

Wednesday: Contemplative walking: At some point during the day, make a point to walk in a mindful manner wherever you are going. Walk slowly. Pay attention to the sensation of your feet on the ground. Notice things around you.

Thursday: Email/text mindfully: Before clicking “send,” take a deep breath. Think about how the other person will read this message.

Friday: Mindful eating. Eat one meal with no distractions (talking, screens, reading, etc.). Try to savor each bite and notice things about the food you are eating.

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