A new contemplative reading group for employees and students will begin hosting biweekly meetings that center on the art and practice of living well.
“The objective of the group is to apply important passages in philosophy, psychology and spirituality to the art and practice of living well,” said Dr. Ian C. Edwards, director of Duquesne’s Counseling and Wellbeing Center.
The first session is scheduled for this Friday, Sept. 11, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Power Center Wellness Resource Center.
During the sessions, the group will hear readings of works by philosophers, psychologists and spiritual teachers; listen to the facilitator’s reflection; and then share their thoughts. The meetings will end with silent meditation.
As facilitator of the group, Edwards will invite staff from the University Counseling and Wellbeing Center as well as faculty and staff to offer their readings and reflections, too. “Participants will be encouraged to use the readings and reflections as healing agents, contemplatively allowing them to transform moments of suffering into avenues for acceptance and contentment,” he said.
By offering these sessions to employees and students together, Edwards said he hopes to unify the campus community around common objectives, to break down barriers to compassion and to offer participants the opportunity to learn from a wide variety of perspectives.
The sessions are sponsored by the University Counseling and Wellbeing Center, the Recreation Center, the Division of Mission and Identity, and the Office of Health Services.
To RSVP, contact Edwards at 412.396.6204.