Daniel Schryer
Contributing Writer
The life of a college student, to say the least, is one fraught with stressful situations. Whether it be the pressure of doing well in an upcoming exam or a research paper’s looming deadline, one doesn’t have to look far to see why some collegiate scholars are having trouble keeping calm.
Fortunately for North Central students, the Department of Religious Studies, in partnership with the Dyson Wellness Center, saw fit to organize a series of events focusing on the contemplative aspects of meditative practices.
The events, which ran on select dates between April 9 and April 30, focused on both the religious and physiological aspects of meditation. Outside practitioners were brought in to discuss various meditative practices, as well as lead attendees through guided meditation exercises.
Taking place in Smith Hall, it was difficult to find an empty chair at any of the three sessions, a testament to the popularity of these events.
“We have these events where anybody can come; staff, faculty, students and nonstudents and we hope to have a community of learners that is inclusive and that can once again focus on commonalities rather than differences,” says Professor Wioleta Polinka, chairperson of philosophy and religious studies.
Polinksa started these programs as an extension of her religious studies classes as a way to promote different religious practices. “We thought about ways of celebrating diversity without polarizing anything and without being exclusive, and perhaps we can recognize that all religious traditions have this meditative and contemplative quality that can be very helpful, regardless of our own traditions.”
This term, the two sessions offered were focused on Buddhist and Mindfulness meditation. Both practitioners had their own take on meditation techniques and set of tips on how to find one’s inner peace.
Dorje Kelsang, a practitioner representing the Vajrayana Kadampa Buddhist Center, came to teach attendees the importance of finding inner peace as opposed to searching for happiness in worldly objects.
“Uncontrolled desire, or attachment, is looking for something outside of your mind to make you happy,” says Kelsang, “but nothing can really do it because happiness is a feeling and state of mind that comes from within.”
Kelsang, who donned a traditional monastic Buddhist robe, understands how those whom have not attempted it easily dismiss meditation. “What people don’t get about meditation is that they think it’s just sitting there… meditation allows you to see the world differently. It’s mixing our mind with something that is wholesome or virtuous.”
Kelsang characterized Buddhism as “a way of framing the world,” and made it clear that he was not there to convert others to Buddhism, but instead to spread Buddhist teachings. “We have to decide for ourselves what to believe. Find what faith is working for you and stick to it.”
The second contemplative session focused on Mindfulness Meditation, a secular form of meditation utilized by medical practitioners. This session was lead by Stephanie Frantz, a chopra center-certified meditation instructor who holds several classes related to mindfulness and stress management.
Concentrating on the physiological benefits of meditation, Frantz discussed how meditation was being used at the Dyson Wellness Center to help students and faculty deal with stress and find their inner sense of peace.
“I think that stress is a part of all our lives,” says Frantz, “and especially for young people, anything beneficial that you find that lessens the stress is a positive thing.”
Both sessions followed their initial discussions with a brief meditation exercise, in which all attendees participated. Though there may be differences between the Buddhist and Mindfulness ideologies, their meditation techniques were largely similar.
“All of them (different religious meditation practices) focus on the breath, on its intake and outtake, and to observe thoughts but not be attached to them,” said Polinska. “It’s an inner transformation… all major world religions have that sort of contemplative component. It is expressed somewhat differently, but there is a tremendous amount of overlap.”
During these exercises, attendees were told to place their feet on the ground and to rest comfortably in their chairs. The practitioners then guided attendees through a meditative visualization, in which attendees were instructed to focus on their breathing patterns and block out all external thoughts.
The meditation’s effect on the attendees was easy to discern, with some even lapsing into brief periods of sleep throughout the exercise. “Meditation, even for just a few minutes, allows us to relax, be at ease, and be in the ‘now,’ rather than always rushing to the next meeting, or thinking about how an exam didn’t go well,” said Polinska.
Kelsang also urges those interested in finding inner peace to maintain their meditative habits. “We’re meant to be meditating all day long,” he says. “By holding a positive mindset, by having a patient mind in the face of difficulties.”
With midterms, a recent memory, and final exams on the horizon, now is as good a time as any to start practicing meditation. “We’re all after something that will give us meaning in our lives, something that heals rather than harms. And that’s what meditation has to offer,” said Polinska.
