Meditation at Madison: Why college students should slow down

It’s that time of year again. That time when you’re stressed out…well, that’s probably all the time right? There’s a little over a month left of school and you may not be ready to conquer all your assignments and exams, you may not have the energy to participate in all your clubs, and that’s expected.

What I’m going to tell you is what you can do to get back on track. I’m going to tell you what many entrepreneurs and successful men and women do to ensure a stress-free life. This activity that I’m referring to is “meditation,” or “mindfulness” practice. The past can’t be changed and the future is uncertain. You can however control the future by controlling the now and in order to control the now, you need to be in the now.

 

If you don’t know where to start, there’s a program here at JMU where you can take a class with the excellent Shari Scofield. Shari is experienced and passionate about the practice of mindfulness/meditation. I got the chance to take four classes under her guidance with a friend of mine and we both benefited greatly from it. The workshop ran by Shari was called Koru and she also does a program called Madison Meditates which can be found through JMU’s website in the MAD4U section.

I could go on about everything that I do regarding mindfulness and meditation but I’ll let you hear it from active student Sujit Koppula. Sujit is a Public Policy and Political Science double major with a minor in CIS and a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He was also a FrOG (First Year Orientation Guide) this year and currently is a Madison Collaborative Educator, Student Accountability Board Member, and volunteer with Second Home Harrisonburg. On top of those activities and classes, he is also interning with the Harrisonburg City Manager’s office. With an occupied life, here’s how he felt about practicing mindfulness/meditation.

How’d you find out about the meditation program?

I found out from a program director for an organization that I’m involved with. She sends out weekly emails updating the organization. In one of them, she brought up this mindfulness program that others had had good experiences with. I just thought I’d check it out, it seemed interesting so it all led from there.

After going to the first session, what was your initial reaction?

It was more or less what I had expected. We didn’t do anything that necessarily blew my mind. It was a good experience though, I liked being in a setting where I could focus my thoughts and channel my energy because the rest of my day is hectic.

Were you predisposed to similar mindfulness practices?

I wouldn’t say so, I think it’s acquired. I wasn’t really going out of my way to meditate, I originally thought it was a waste of time. I often thought that if I just sat still and relaxed for a minute, it would substitute for meditation. I didn’t really attach as much importance to meditation that I should have.

This mindfulness course had four different sessions, after the first one, what kept you coming back?

I’d say it started with the instructor. If I had attended the class with a lackluster instructor who was just there to pass time, I wouldn’t have felt compelled to come back. I could tell she was a true professional, that she had her heart and soul in this Koru program. I could see the effects on her and wanted to experience the benefits for myself.

How often would you hold yourself accountable to practicing outside of class?

I would make time in the morning. I’m at a point in my life where I’m not answering to anyone else. At a time where we’re taking responsibility for our own actions. I’d take some time in the morning, sit still and organize my day. Not doing anything else, just spending maybe five minutes to focus my thoughts and energy. It did wonders for me.

Would you say you’ve become more able to stay present and stress-free?

Even before the course, I wouldn’t say I was someone who lived in the moment but whatever situation I was in, I liked to devote my energy to that environment. I would say this program accelerated that so whatever skills I had before it, I was able to hone and improve them.

You mentioned you had general improvements in your life, is there anything specific you’d like to share?

In my field, my major, my organizations, I find myself speaking in front of large groups of people a lot. Before these events that I’m speaking at, I’ll have classes and other commitments. I’d be forced to change gears in a matter of minutes so one of the most beneficial aspects of this program was being able to make that change seamlessly. I would be able to quickly recall how to act and think at my next event because it would be a different environment.

Since the Koru sessions have ended, have you been able to keep up with your mindfulness practice?

Even during the program, I was struggling to really “mediate” or “be mindful.” I didn’t do my morning routine before this program however so as a result of this program, I’ve been able to implement that in my life. I have a packed schedule. In whatever I’m going through, I like to think that if I choose to take this time, to channel my thoughts and energy for five minutes, the rest of my time will be more productive.

If you were to recommend this to someone, what type of person would you recommend this to and why?

I would recommend this to anybody. There isn’t any specific group of people that would benefit from this more than another. I would say that if you have a busy life and struggle managing your time and stress, this would be a great practice.

If you are interested in finding out more, Shari Scofield’s contact information is provided below.

E-mail: [email protected]

One last thing, make sure to check out our very own meditation room in Warren Hall! Meditate away and good luck with the rest of the semester!

@nakurane