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Chapel House Programs

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Chapel House is dedicated to providing the campus and local community, along with its overnight guests, experiences to emphasize the importance of meditative practices and spiritual exploration. Our programming exists for the duration of a ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø academic semester and is open to all: students, staff and friends from anywhere.

 

Visit the for a complete list of upcoming events.

Also check out of our recent celebration of Buddha's Birthday!

Meditative Programming

Chapel House is building a meditative community that allows for individual exploration. No experience is necessary. Anyone is welcome to join in our programs. Come as you are and leave refreshed.

Zen monk KÅ«shu beside a Buddha statue
KÅ«shu, Monk from the Zen Center of Syracuse

Meditation

  • Guided or silent sitting meditation
    Weekday mornings 8:30 a.m., weekends 4 p.m., Chapel House
  • Sound bowl meditation
    Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., Thursday at 4:15 p.m., Chapel House
  • Walking meditation in nature or labyrinth
    Tuesday at 4:15 p.m., Chapel House
  • Zazen with KÅ«shu, our visiting Zen Monk
    Wednesday at 4:15 p.m., Chapel House
  • Poetry in reflective meditation
    Monday at 4:15 p.m., Chapel House
  • Silent Meditation
    Silent journaling, coloring, sitting, napping
    Mondays at 9 p.m., Case-Geyer Library, 560 Batza Room
    Recoup and Soup
    Silent journaling, coloring, sitting, napping, followed by a meal.
    Wednesdays at 12:15, Lawrence Hall 305
  • Faculty and Staff Meditation
    Silent meditation followed by a meal.
    Thursdays at noon, Case-Geyer Library, 560 Batza Room
  • Hatha Yoga
    With instructor Aastha Ghimire '28
    Sundays at 9 p.m., Meditation Area of 110 Broad Street, Student Housing

Yoga

Lael Spalter and Aastha Ghimire
Lael Spalter ’28, and Aastha Ghimire ’27

Fridays 4:15 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m., Sundays 9 a.m. at 110 Broad Street
Yoga sessions are taught by two students: Aastha Ghimire '27, who received her training and certification from the Nepal Yoga Academy, and Lael Spalter '28, a registered yoga teacher. Yoga classes focus on balancing attention to the body and its flexibility with the mind, spirit, and energy that flows through all three.

Picture of Lily the therapy dog
Join us every Wednesday at 6 pm. Open to students, faculty and staff!

Community Building

At Chapel House, we are committed to building community. Gather with friends or stop by to meet people and learn something new at one of our events.

  • The Art of Spiritual Inquiry, Fridays at 1:20 p.m.
    A student journaling and discussion group, committing to meeting weekly.
  • Friday Fibers at noon
    Bring your knitting, crochet, needlework projects, and your lunch to chat along with your yarning.
  • Chili with Lily, Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
    A social gathering, celebrating our therapy dog, in our dining room to foster Chapel House community.
  • Crafting and Crochet Class, Thursdays at 5:15 p.m.
    Associate Amelia '28 will introduce you to the wonderful world of crochet.

  • Reading Café, Sundays 4 - 6 p.m.
    >Tea and cookies are served to enhance your reading and reflection in our library.

     

Japanese student playing taiko drums for guiding meditation
Katsutoshi Uchida, Japanese student from Soka University, demonstrating taiko meditative drumming techniques

Musical Meditations

Various musical talents will lead meditative experiences in our Meditation Hall:

  • Prof. Brian Stark with his jazz crew, offering improv as a way to free your mind to connect more deeply with yourself
  • Chamber music
  • Open mic music and poetry
  • Japanese drum and flute meditation
  • Piano and voice program featuring Japanese composers

Group Experiences 

People seated on the floor during sound meditation led by instructor

Group experiences are available for classes, PE classes, musical meditation events, campus offices, student organizations, high school seminars, the Lifelong Learning program, and others. Visits could focus on one or more aspects of our inter-religious, cultural, and spiritual resources, including:

  • Staff guided meditation session in our Meditation Hall 
  • A tour of the art, sculpture, and calligraphy of our retreat house
  • Browse spiritual, theological, and poetic literature in our library
  • Listen to symphonic, contemporary, chant, and indigenous music in our music room
     

For info on bringing your group to Chapel House, contact Program Coordinator Jeff McArn at jmcarn@colgate.edu or 315-228-7674.

Upcoming Events