Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington and renowned holistic health doctor Deepak Chopra will lead a large-scale mindfulness exercise on the Lawn Oct. 15, the University Contemplative Sciences Center announced Wednesday.
Paul and Sonia Jones and Jeff Walker, members of the center’s advisory board, invited the speakers to lead the exercise during Fall Break — a time when “students are encouraged to clear their minds and relax in preparation for upcoming exams,” according to a University press release.
Before the meditation begins at 2:30 p.m. next Tuesday, both speakers will discuss contemplation and well-being on the steps of the Rotunda. Chopra will lead the meditation exercise itself.
“We hope that the event will highlight the importance of contemplation and well-being to our society at this historic juncture, and in particular the impressive momentum that both have been achieving at the University,” Religious Studies Prof. David Germano said.
The exercises performed will be based on attention and awareness-focusing techniques, which have been observed to help lessen stress and anxiety and aid pain management.
Benjamin Coe, operations manager for the center, emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between a strong focus on academics and self-reflection outside of one’s studies.
“[Education] isn’t only about critical thought and intellectual achievement,” Coe said. “It is also about developing personal and social skills with an integrated depth of experience, enabling our students to transform into active, engaged, compassionate citizens of a diverse world.”
In addition to launching the online news website, Huffington is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and columnist and was named one of Forbes’ most powerful women. Chopra is a holistic health and alternative medicine practitioner and the founder of Chopra Center for Wellbeing.
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