A Moment of Pause Toward Restoration and Healing: Practicing Mindfulness in the Academy Amidst Social Unrest

The brutality of the covid-19 pandemic and persistent racialized violence  have devastated our communities. Many of us have experienced insurmountable loss and grief, while reverberating structural disparities have fractured our bodies and spirits . These  issues have deeply affected our lives professionally and academically as students, and more poignantly interpersonally and spiritually. In this critical time of grief and loss, how can we facilitate a culture of care and healing? What does it look like to pause for a moment and breathe as a community, as we struggle toward justice and recognition of our full humanity?  

In the spirit of nourishment, we want to offer a space for collective pause and reprieve through mindfulness practice, guided by Dr. Charles H.F. Davis III, and Dr. Kimberly Griffin. We’ve asked each faculty member to share the ways in which they are moving through this critical time of violence, grief, and loss, and to share their mindfulness practice with us, as a community. As an extension of their own practice, Dr. Davis will guide us through written reflection and breathework, and Dr. Griffin will engage us in movement through yoga flow. While you enjoy this session virtually,  make sure that you bring a small journal and pen, yoga mat, and/or towel.