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Last summer Dr. Nicole Willock, Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies invited me to her office to discuss contemplative pedagogy. That is where I first learned of Dr. Willock’s ideas for bringing Dr. Michael Sheehy to the ��͹��Ƶ campus. Dr. Sheehy is Associate Professor and Director of Research at the Contemplative Sciences Center at the University of Virginia. In no time, many people across the main and medical campuses including Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Strategic Initiatives Yvette Pearson and Senior Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development Anca Dobrian were discussing various ways to engage faculty in conversations about human flourishing. The outcome led to the establishment of “Vitality Days,” a series of events scheduled for October 21 and 22 where faculty can explore mindfulness, build resilience, and create a culture of wellness together. 

Vitality Days opens on October 21 at noon with a ZOOM event in which , Chief Wellness Officer and Director of the Duke Center for Advancement of Well-being Science at the Duke University School of Medicine will offer “The Science of Bite-sized Well-being During Uncertain Times: Evidence, Practice and Resources to Share.”

Later that evening from 5:45-7:00pm at the Slover Library several “Mindful Meditation Samples” will be offered allowing attendees to learn more about different meditation and reflective practices for well-being. These include Buddhist meditation, Journaling, MIEA Mindfulness, and SKY Breath Meditation. 

A networking reception will follow at the Slover from 7:00-8:30pm.

On October 22 from 12:00-1:00pm on the VHS Medical Campus in Waitzer Hall, 200, will give a talk entitled, “Vectored Towards Human Flourishing: Findings from the Science of Contemplative Practices.” Dr. Sheehy is a meditation researcher and the Editor-in-Chief of the (JCS), a peer-reviewed open access journal. His biography indicates he “studies how meditation works – specifically, how the generative, dynamic, and ever-evolving processes of contemplation advance our understanding of being human and enhancing life.” 

Finally, from 4:30-5:45pm in the Burgess Room 9024 in Arts and Letters, Dr. Sheehy will offer a Ted-Talk style conversation with students that all are invited to attend. It is entitled, “How do Philosophy, Religious Studies, the Arts, and the Sciences Intersect?