By Lisa Rose-Wiles, Professor/Science & Copyright Librarian Chair, Library Faculty Assembly
Depth. Connection. Wholeness. We are excited to announce our fourth annual Contemplative Community Week for September 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, the TLTC, the Student Occupational Therapy Association, and Campus Ministry. Continue below for the full week’s schedule, links, and additional resources.
Monday, Sept. 18
Coloring for Contemplation
12:00pm – 2:00pm
Location 24-Hour Room, Walsh Library (across from Dunkin)
Drop by the 24-hour room 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.
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.)
Maker Event: A Virtual Reality Meditation Journey
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Walsh Library, Space154
Escape the stress, pressure, and noise of everyday life and experience the calming and soothing meditation of virtual reality. By using Oculus Rift, Google Cardboard, Meta Quest, and Merge 360 headsets, immerse yourself in the world of virtual reality. Please bring a cell phone with you. Registration is required: https://events.shu.edu/technology/event/29502-maker-event-a-virtual-reality-meditation-journey-for-f
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, Sept. 19
Contemplative Pedagogy and Trauma-Informed Care: Supporting Student Growth from Classroom to Clinic
12:00pm – 1:00pm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgRHa6VuMcQ
Location: Virtual (Teams)
In this video presentation Dr. Meryl Picard provides an overview of Contemplative Pedagogy and TIC principles, along with ideas to thoughtfully integrate Trauma-Informed Contemplative Pedagogy (TICP) into the classroom.
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, Sept. 20
Contemplative Practices in the Classroom
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Location: Teams Click here to join the meeting
Join Dr. Ruth Tsuria and Dr. Chad Thralls for a discussion of resources they have created for faculty who would like to incorporate contemplative practices into their Core courses or other humanities courses.
Falling Leaves Picnic
12:30 -1:00
University Green (meet at the seal)
Bring your lunch or some snacks and join us for conversation. This will be followed by a Walking Meditation if you choose to participate. We will meet on the University Green at the seal.
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.
Moonlight Mercy and Confessions
9:00 – 10:00pm
Location: Chapel of the Immaculate Conception
Come light a candle, say a prayer, and discover God’s gifts of peace and forgiveness in your heart. Sponsored by Campus Ministry.
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, Sept. 21
Kata Holos Conversation with Dr. Jonathan Heaps.
12:00-1:15
Location: Mooney Hall 339
Join Dr. Jonathan Heaps, an instructor with the university core, and moderator Dr. Patrick Manning of the ICSST for a candid conversation about what it means to strive for wholeness in one’s life, what practices and resources support this wholeness, and what sometimes gets in the way. Lunch will be provided and space is limited, so registration is required: https://events.shu.edu/event/29515-kata-holos-conversation-with-dr-jonathan-heaps
SHU Meditates
12:30 – 1:00
In Teams
Relieve stress and anxiety with a brief guided meditation session led by an experienced instructor.
Join in Teams https://events.shu.edu/event/29197-shu-meditates
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
Contemplative Practices Open Discussion
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Jubilee 132
Would you like to learn more about contemplative practices? Are you interested in incorporating some into your daily routine or your classroom? Please join us for an informal discussion with some of us who are doing this and share your ideas and experiences. The session will begin with introductions and a guided meditation.
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/
IHS Campus Schedule:
Monday, Sept. 18
3:10pm – 4:10pm
Location: Rms. 3416/3418
Student Occupational Therapy Association. All IHS students are welcome.
Activities include Mindfulness BINGO, Zen corner, and mandala coloring.
Tuesday, Sept. 19
12:00 – 1:00pm Contemplative Pedagogy and Trauma-Informed Care: Supporting Student Growth from Classroom to Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgRHa6VuMcQ
Location: Virtual (Teams)
In this video presentation, Dr. Meryl Picard provides an overview of Contemplative Pedagogy and TIC principles, along with ideas to thoughtfully integrate Trauma-Informed Contemplative Pedagogy (TICP) into the classroom.
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 2023 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
Share Your Feedback Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey and offer your feedback on Contemplative Community Week and/or share your contact info so you can stay connected with the Contemplative Community Initiative.
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