Category Archives: Spiritual
Spiritual wellness is a personal dimension that involves possessing a set of guiding beliefs, principles, or values that help give direction to one’s life. It involves a high level of faith, hope, and commitment to your individual beliefs that provides a sense of meaning and purpose. People can express their meaning and purpose in life through nature, art, music, religion, meditation, or good deeds performed towards others. Spiritual wellness may or may not involve religion. Although religion is an integral part of spirituality for some, one does not need to be involved in organized religion to be spiritual.
The Labyrinth
Dimension: Occupational
Activity: Wellness Expo (Labyrinth in the Group Exercise Room)
Date: 2/27 12-5pm
This event was one of the last events that we could attend and therefore it was a free event where we could pick any wristband we wanted. I chose occupational because I could not attend any of the occupational events available. I was a little disappointed to see that there were not more options for the occupational wristband. I would have really liked to see some events with career services, such as their resume and cover letter writing presentations.
When I saw that this event was a labyrinth I had no idea what to expect. I knew what a labyrinth was, but I didn’t know if we would be doing one on paper or if they would have an obstacle course set up for one. When we got there I was very intrigued. The labyrinth was a large mat where you just followed the lines. The lady explained that the labyrinth is an ancient symbol of spiritual journey. I had no idea that they had a spiritual purpose, that was a complete shock to me. She said that the walking the labyrinth could help to focus our minds on God or prayers. It can be as simple as to just help untangle a problem that may seem difficult by making it more clear as you walk. She said others find new insights during the walk. When I walked I just cleared my mind and tried to relax and shed all the stress from school. I do have to say that it was very relaxing and I definitely want to check out the small labyrinth in the quiet space at the Wellness Center.
Interfaith Week Service Project
Saturday, March 2nd:
Interfaith Service Project: 4:00 pm
Meet at Christus Rex to carpool.
Come join us to end the week with an evening of preparing and serving a meal to homeless individuals down at Northlands Rescue Mission. Help out around the shelter, as well as build relationships and reflect on the value of service.
Interfaith Week at the University of North Dakota
Friday, March 1st:
Finding Your Way – Seeking Directions When You Don’t Know You’re Lost
11:00 am – Christus Rex
It’s easy to wander when you don’t know you’re lost. In Tera’s talk, she will speak about her own personal journey to find the right path, and the importance of seeking direction in a world full of promised destinations.
Session will be led by Tera Elness.
Christian Views on Big Questions: 12:00 pm (Noon) – Christus Rex
How do different Christian traditions respond to issues of sin, grace, eternal life, evil, and other faiths? A moderated panel with Christian voices from Mainline, Conservative Evangelical, and Roman Catholic churches will tackle these hot topics.
Free lunch provided!
YOGATHON: 4:00 pm – Wellness Center
A special yoga event will be held in conjunction with the Healthy Campus Challenge and Interfaith Week. It will take place on Friday March 1st at 4pm in the Wellness Center Group Exercise Room. For more information on the Healthy Campus Challenge head to the Healthy Campus Challenge webpage http://und.edu/health-wellness/healthy-und/pa-subcommittee-folder/healthy-und-physical-activity-subcommittee.cfm.
Interfaith Week at the University of North Dakota
Thursday, February 28th:
Lunch with a Muslim: 12:00 pm (Noon) – International Centre
Sit down for a wonderful table conversation with a Muslim student.
Enjoy informal conversations and great food!
Buddhism 101 “Do you want to get enlightened?”: 6:00 – 7:00 pm – Hopper Danley Memorial Chapel
A phenomenal talk about Buddhism given by Patrick Anderson. This will be followed by Q&A. Please feel free to come with questions!
Building a Better Society 6:00 pm – International Centre
We will be examining writings from the world’s major religions on a different topic each week. We look for similarities among the world’s religions and discuss how we can apply to our daily lives what we learn each week.
This event is sponsored by the Grand Forks Baha’i.
Native American Spirituality: 7:15 – 8:30 pm – Hopper Danley Memorial Chapel
A local Native American Spiritual Leader, Allan Demaray, will be present to share information about traditional Native American spirituality and answer any questions that you may have.
Interfaith Week at the University of North Dakota
Wednesday, February 27th:
Soup & Share: 12:00 pm (Noon) – Christus Rex
Can we really love God without loving others?
Join us for soup and conversation.
Interfaith Fair at the Wellness Expo: 12:00 pm (Noon) – 5:00 pm – Wellness Center
An exciting expo open to all UND students. This is an opportunity to learn first-hand the correlation between wellness and academic success. Students will experience the 7 dimensions of wellness by visiting the exhibitors, participating in activities promoting wellness, and learning how wellness can have a positive influence on their lives.
Join us in the Spiritual Wellness section!!
Prayers in the Desert: 6:00 pm – Christus Rex
A thirty minute service of meditation and prayer.
Christian Rap and Rock Infinite Faith Music Challenge 7:30 pm – Memorial Union Loading Dock
A unique concert and singing competition. In honor of Interfaith Week and Black History Month.
Featured Performers: Carlos Williams of Sonrize – a Christian rapper, One Ten Ride – Christian Rock, and Josh Tuinder – Indie Christian Rock as seen at the Ember. Also featuring YOU as a singing competitor!
Call Multicultural Student Services (MSS) at 701-777-4259 to register.
Interfaith Week at the University of North Dakota
Tuesday, February 26th:
Discovering My Spiritual DNA: 12:00 pm (Noon) – 1:00 pm – Memorial Union Lecture Bowl
Learn how God has engineered each of us for success and victory in life.
This session will be led by Bob Bartlett.
An Evil Little Story 5:00 – 6:30 pm – Memorial Union Lecture Bowl
Atheist activist, Jessica Ahlquist, shares her story of standing up for the separation of church and state in a Rhode Island high school. Jessica will elaborate on the topic of secularism, the national outcry and support she received as an atheist student, and how separation of church and state support building bridges across diverse worldviews.
This event is sponsored by UND Freethinkers.
Submerge: 7:00 pm – Hopper Danley Memorial Chapel
Join us for a time of worship and praise with the Submerge worship team leading the evening in contemporary Christian music.
Interfaith Week at the University of North Dakota
Monday, February 25th:
One God, One Common Faith: Noon – 1:00 pm – Memorial Union Lecture Bowl
Find out how all the world’s major religions are in reality the same religion. The spiritual teachings are the same but evolving and the social teaching and laws are based on the time when they were revealed.
Meditation Basics: 5:30 – 6:30 pm – Lotus Meditation Center
Experience the Vipassana traditions of meditation, such as sitting, eating, & walking meditations. This session will be led by Janet Rex of the Lotus Meditation Center.
Wiccan Spirituality & Esbat Ceremony: 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Lotus Meditation Center
A local Wiccan minister, Chassidy Strege, will be sharing information about Wicca – a modern, nature-based spiritual tradition. Questions and dialogue are expected and welcomed. This discussion will be followed by a brief Esbat (Full Moon) ceremony for those who are interested in participating.
Taking a break in the Zen Den
Activity: Take a break in the Zen Den, Wellness Center
Friday, February 15th at 12:00pm
I decided to check out the Zen Den for the spiritual dimension, but I am not sure how spiritual I felt about it. I feel the room really lacked instructions and had too much clutter to feel peaceful. There were a ton of stress pamphlets and a TV/computer in there but I was unsure of what exactly you were supposed to do in the room. There was a massage chair in there that felt fantastic however. It was nice to get a decent back massage after a hard week of exams but I’m not sure how “spiritual” I felt about it. I think having soft continuous tracks playing and maybe adjusting the lighting some more would feel more peaceful. Doing away with all the clutter on the stand such as the technology and papers everywhere would be nice as I want to feel at peace and not be in front of any screens. I did like the little zen garden set but there were some odd things in the cabinets and they were mostly empty. If you’re looking for a great free massage and some pamphlets on how to manage stress the zen den is a great place for that. I think I’ll have to give that meditation event a try for another spiritual event so I can speculate more about my role in this world.
I’ll also have to check out the quiet lounge down the hall next time I’m there for some peaceful thinking.
Attend a worship service – Spiritual
Spiritual
Attended church at Whittenberg Lutheran Chapel
Sunday February 3 at 10:30 am
I have attended Whittenberg Lutheran Church since the beginning of the year. I have made some really nice friends at church and I have gotten to know Pastor B. as well. I never know what Pastor B. is going to preach on until I get there, but his sermons are usually very interesting.This week he preached on the authority of the Word and the role it plays in our lives. I also attended bible study after the service where we were served homemade lasagna and salad. The bible study was very interesting, we discussed marriage and a engaged couple were having a fun time making fun of one another. I really like going to Whittenberg, not only because I get hear more about the my faith but I get to connect to fellow Christians. I think by regularly connecting with other Christians and to my faith I will have the the support and comfort to get me through a tough week of classes.
