Spiritual Health & Wellness

Spirituality is a common human expereince that belongs to each of us - across all communities and all faith traditions.  Exploring our spirituality is about asking what connects us to each other and even the divine; it's about reflecting and taking take to explore what we believe and how those beliefes align with our actions everyday. 

Spiritual Wellness in particular is about doing the work needed to keep our spiritual selves healthy and growing - both as individuals and communities.  Just like we can be healthy physically and emotionally, we can also be spiriruality well or honestly, not so well.  Every religious tradition has teachings and practices that help nourish the spirit.  Beyond these religious traditions, our cultures and communities can give use spirirual resources and rituals that are life giving and empowering.  All these in turn help our faith overall, strengthen our communities and build connections within us and around us.

The office of Religious and Spiritual Life helps the TCU community explore our personal and collective spirituality. Below are just some of the resources available on campus this year.

Meditation

Meditation for Wellbeing: A time for personal reflection, spiritual exploration, and centering. Non-sectarian and No experience necessary — Learn breathing techniques, relaxation, and posture. We offer sitting, walking, contemplative, and dynamic meditation.

Mondays and Fridays, 12pm Jarvis Hall Multifaith Prayer Room (1st Flr)

 

Kundalini Meditation & Yoga

With Teacher Vinod Patel
Wednesdays, 5pm PM Jarvis Hall Multifaith Prayer Room (1st Flr)

Open to all. We will practice dynamic meditation as part of the series that includes humming, chanting, and rapid breathing.

What is Kundalini Yoga?

Kundalini yoga is an ancient form of yoga that has only been practiced in the west relatively recently. In 1969, Yogi Bhajan founded 3HO (the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) to introduce Kundalini to a broader population. Although Kundalini had not previously been taught to the public, Yogi Bhajan felt that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy its benefits.

What is Does Kundalini Mean?

The Kundalini is untapped energy (prana) at the base of the spine that can be drawn up through the body awakening each of the seven chakras. Full enlightenment occurs when this energy reaches the Crown Chakra. Kundalini energy is often represented as a snake coiled at the base of the spine.

What to Expect in a Kundalini Class

A Kundalini class will usually consist of a warm-up to stretch the spine and improve flexibility, a sequence of poses (a kriya) that focus on a specific area of the body, and meditation, including the use of chanted mantras, pranayama, and mudras.  Each Kundalini Yoga asana series is done in conjunction with a specific breath that intensifies the effects of the poses with the purpose of freeing energy in the lower body and allowing it to move upwards. Kundalini sequences (called kriyas) may consist of rapid, repetitive movements done with breath or holding a pose while breathing in a particular way.

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and do not eat a heavy meal for an hour before participating.

For more information, please explore the following resources:

http://yoga.about.com/od/kundaliniyoga/a/kundalini.htm

http://www.yogadoctor.com/Classes-yoga.htm#kundalini

 

"What Matters to Me and Why"

Wednesdays once a month at 12pm, Lunch Provided

A monthly luncheon where a guest faculty/staff member selected by students shares what makes them tick, what's on their mind...and what matters to them...and why.

The purpose of What Matters to Me and Why is to encourage reflection within the TCU community on matters of personal values, beliefs, and motivations in order to better understand the lives and inspirations of those who shape the University. Each presenter is encouraged to share how s/he has chosen to live her/his life, the core values s/he has adopted, and the personal choices s/he has made.

SPRING 2009

Feb 18- Rebecca Sharpless, History

Mar 4 - Mike Sacken, Education

Apr 15 - Tony Burgess, Environmental Science

 

 

Spirituality Coffeehouse

This is a 6-week book club on timeless wisdom, inner-discovery, enlighenment, and purpose. We will be reading excerpts from "50 Spiritual Classics" assembled by Tom Butler-Bowdon. Our office will provide a number of the books so all you have to do is show up and participate! We will meet Tuesdays at 4pm in the RSL Conference Room & Library in Jarvis. Start date TBA

Resources for Spiritual Wellness

Beliefnet.com: Provides information on many world religions and spirituality and includes message boards to learn more from believers of a particular faith.

Spirituality and Practice: One of my favorite websites for finding spiritual practices for everyone. Frederic and Mary-Ann Brussat have been reviewing spiritual literature and media for years and have a wealth of information to offer.

Religion-Online.org: Provides articles and chapters on topics including: Old and New Testament, theology, ethics, history and sociology of religion, communication and cultural studies, pastoral care, counseling, homiletics, worship, missions, and religious education.

Virtual Religion Index: Analyzes and highlights important content of religion-related websites.