Student Affairs
In our meetings each week, various interfaith-related topics are discussed at length. To me, the work we do in this space regularly feels salient and thoughtful, but on occasion, small in scope. During our fellowship discussions, there are times when I find myself in awe of the situation we collectively helped to manufacture – one …
This week our fellows had a conversation about religious stereotypes. Matthew said something that I really resonated with, that among Christians there is a stereotype of grouping one specific person to their branch and thus assuming everyone is like them. For example, if I as a Catholic met a Protestant who I was not fond …
Being a trained yoga instructor and a practicing Hindu, I want to highlight the most meaningful takeaway from my practice. The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the epic Mahabharata which narrates the struggle between two groups of cousins and their journey to succession as kings and princes. It is one of the most important …
This past summer, I went on a C.S. Lewis kick. Naturally, I started by re-reading his Narnia series, and after that I put some of his religious writings on hold at the Madison public library. I would pick up one of his books after my work shift, then walk back to my house and attempt …
This past winter break I spent most of my time completing a certified nursing assistant course. While I would have perhaps preferred to spend my break relaxing inside, streaming movies and shows, I instead spent a significant amount of time in a local nursing home with the facility’s elderly residents. On the third day at …
In Buddhism, mindfulness is more than meditation practice but a whole body-and-mind awareness of the present. The Buddha taught that the only way to achieve and maintain mindfulness is through contemplation of one’s own body and mind: abandon the past; abandon the future — practice knowing and letting go. It is the presence of this …
The bulk of my relationship with Islam has not been positive but recently I’ve been trying to change that, and in doing so I’ve realized what a paradox I’ve been living in. Being a Muslim has been my primary identity my whole life, but ironically it’s the one I know least about. I grew up …
When I was young my mom told me God loved children that were nice to others. God will love me if I listen to my parents, finish my food and share my toys. If I prayed with all my heart, eyes closed tight and palms wide open, asking Allah for something, I would get it. …
Having attended Catholic school for twelve years, prayer has always been an incredibly important part of my life. We prayed nearly every period of the day as well as in the morning before class, and once a week attended a formal service. Because of this, I fell into a rhythm and it became robotic rather …
Growing up as an Indian Sikh in the U.S., learning Punjabi was central to connecting with my religion and culture. I learned how to read, write, and somewhat understand Punjabi, but was never able to fluently speak it. My parents would speak both Punjabi and English at home, but I would only respond in English. …