Stressed out students and staff may have a meditative remedy: “The Quiet Spot.”
The twice-weekly mediations will take place from 12:05 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, and from 7:30 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. Thursdays in the Interfaith Chapel.
Zandra Wagoner, university chaplain and assistant professor of philosophy and religion, is coordinator of the weekly meditations, new this academic year.
“All meditations, whether or not they are guided, are framed as an opportunity to focus your attention and to quiet your mind,” Wagoner said.
Meditation is about getting your mind to be in the present – not worrying about the past or future, she said.
During a meditation session, participants may be asked to focus on their breathing, a word or a specific body part.
Regardless of the method, Wagoner said meditation is supposed to help people connect with their inner voices and reach a state of peace and clarity.
“We have very busy, active and stressful lives, and we’re not often encouraged to take a moment and slow our body and mind down,” Wagoner said.
She added that research suggests that people who meditate regularly are often less reactive to stressful situations, and that students who meditate may perform better academically.
—Alejandra Aguilar
