Dear College of Education Community,
Contemplative practices can cultivate tolerance and compassion and contribute to improvements in both individual health and societal wellbeing, according to numerous research articles. Examples of contemplative practice include meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and prayer. Deep contemplation of self, environment, and spirit can raise awareness of humans being connected to a greater whole of humanity. Dr. Ajit Pyati, an Associate Professor at the Western University of Ontario, states “My work (teaching, scholarship, and service) is guided by this overarching question: How can we live freer and more conscious lives, while also working to build a more just and humane world?” Dr. Pyati authored a chapter “Yoga and the contemplative path: Placing meaning at the centre of self-care and wellbeing in university life” in the 2022 book Reflections on Valuing Wellbeing in Higher Education. He states, “In this chapter, I discuss my own experiences integrating the contemplative practice of yoga to address issues of meaning, wellbeing, and self-care for myself, my colleagues, and my students. This chapter is a call for university faculty and staff to find deeper meaning in their lives, to integrate the different dimensions of their selves, and to take ownership over their lives’ journeys. Therefore, it is upon all of us in academia to work on ourselves and light the path to a more humane, mature, and uplifting university life.”
If you are interesting in reading more about contemplative practice and well-being in higher education, please consider reading this book Reflections on Valuing Wellbeing in Higher Education
For a list of other self-care options, you can also go to our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at
https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care
The deeper significance of the work that we do can be understood through contemplative practice, as this manner of practice feels right for each of us.
Warmly,
Shari