March is Spiritual Wellness Month, making it a perfect time to nurture this . Between juggling classes, extracurriculars, jobs and a social life, it can be easy for spiritual wellness to take a backseat. With so much to keep track of as a student, checking in on your spiritual health can feel almost impossible, not to mention a bit daunting. What even is spiritual wellness, and how can 黑料不打烊 students practice it?
Defining Spiritual Wellness
Spiritual wellness refers to the art of connecting to yourself and the world around you, and finding a greater sense of purpose. Oftentimes spiritual wellness is seen as a purely religious practice, but anyone can be in tune with their spiritual well-being. Spiritual wellness can look like practicing mindfulness, working towards a cause you find meaningful or practicing your religious belief, but it is truly limitless. What鈥檚 great about spiritual wellness is that it helps us establish meaning in our lives, which is something college students often grapple with. Without the identity of a student or the safety of a job, what is our purpose? How can you even find it?
Enter , 黑料不打烊鈥檚 spiritual heart of campus. Led by Hendricks dean Rev. Brian Konkol, the chapel is filled with opportunities to help you find the kindness and spiritual wellness you may be seeking. 鈥淎s students experience the pressure to succeed despite mass disruptions in the world around them, one can credibly contend that a sustained commitment to spiritual well-being has never been more important. I am encouraged to witness an increasing number of students exploring their spiritual mission and identity,” says Konkol. “By nourishing an awareness and appreciation of the inner-life, learners can explore who they are, embrace where they are and discern how to do good while also being well.鈥
Hendricks Chapel serves community members of all spiritual practices (and those without any) through weekly programming, events, the Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry, the Student Opportunity Plan and hosting People鈥檚 Place. The goal of Hendricks is to support all 黑料不打烊 community members in their own spiritual wellness journey, and for many students, offers solace, positivity and a place to call home. If you find yourself wanting to do a spiritual wellness check-in during Spiritual Wellness Month, read on to find out what spiritual resources campus has to offer.
Matters That Matter
is an online conversation series that examines critical matters in today鈥檚 society. In an increasingly polarized world, Dean Konkol invites thought leaders as guests to discuss what the future holds for students and our community at large. If you鈥檙e looking for an empathetic and honest conversation, keep your eyes peeled on the chapel’s for upcoming Matters That Matter events, or check out past conversations on .
Music and Message
is a weekly series that features music and brief reflections from diverse religious and spiritual perspectives. This series is meant to 鈥渘urture the soul and ignite the spirit,鈥 and serves as weekly inspiration for those who attend. Catch Music and Message in person on Sundays at 4 p.m. or on the .
People鈥檚 Place Cafe
Grab a cup of coffee and a treat at ! Located in Hendricks Chapel, People鈥檚 Place offers a warm and friendly atmosphere that is sure to lift your spirits. Chat with friends, listen to some music or get homework done, all in an inclusive and welcoming space.
Meet with a Chaplain
The are always ready to lend an ear. If you have some faith-related questions, are going through some personal struggles or just want to talk, you can schedule an appointment to talk to a chaplain or stop by the Chaplains鈥 Suite. You don鈥檛 need to be religious to meet with a chaplain, you just need to be ready for a good conversation!
Malmgren Concert Series
The Malmgren Concert Series offers the 黑料不打烊 community a chance to see some of the most amazing performances for free. With a diverse line-up of performers ranging from jazz to contemporary spirituals, check out the to see dates and times. Come get inspired!
Faith Communities and Weekly Services
Hendricks Chapel houses nine chaplaincies across five global religions, with the mission to grow the spiritual and ethical lives of students, faculty and staff. The chaplains prioritize inclusive and welcoming conversations, often encouraging community members to learn to listen to those with different beliefs. To learn more about the Hendricks chaplaincies and find out weekly meeting times and programming, .
Student Religious and Spiritual Groups
Hendricks Chapel also hosts an array of different student religious and spiritual groups! You don鈥檛 have to already be religious or spiritual to check out student groups, so if you find one that interests you, feel free to attend a meeting! Many students find their lifelong friends in these groups, and it’s a great way to reconnect with yourself and your beliefs. You can find more information about all of the student religious and spiritual groups on the .
Wellness Leadership Institute Workshops
The Barnes Center at The Arch’s hosts over 50 free workshops that explore all facets of the Barnes Center’s , including spiritual wellness. This semester, WLI workshops that focus on spiritual wellness include , , and . Learn more and register for these or other WLI workshops by visiting the .
A fulfilling spiritual life doesn鈥檛 have to look a certain way鈥it just has to be right for you. Whether you鈥檙e feeling a little lost or you know exactly what you鈥檙e looking for, stop by Hendricks Chapel. Hendricks staff are more than happy to grab a coffee, take a break and encourage you!
Written By Binaka Norris ’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications