Dawson helps students with their stress management
by Elise Favis
Meditation sessions have been offered every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Dawson in 5E.21., with additional sessions taking place on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Reflections room in 4E.15.
All sessions are offered to beginners and experienced practitioners alike and is being led by Daniel Goldsmith, a Humanities teacher and Madeleine Côté, a Psychology teacher.
Last Tuesday was Goldsmith’s first official meditation class at Dawson. A small crowd of students and teachers attended.
“I’ve been meditating for about five years now, and I went to India twice to study meditation,” said Goldsmith. “I practice in a style which is called Vipassanā.”
In Buddhism, Vipassanā means “insight into the nature of reality” or “seeing things for what they truly are.”
It is one of the world’s most ancient meditation techniques. This non-sectarian, non-denominational practice can help overcome mental struggles and even health problems.
“I have lots of work to do, and lots of things to memorize,” said second semester Commerce student Golnaz Moaddeli. “This meditation has really helped me to calm my nerves down.”
“A lot of students are very stressed, and have a hard time putting things in perspective,” said Carl Saucier-Bouffard, Humanities teacher. “[Meditation] can reduce our stress level, and it can help us reach a state of inner peace, which is not only beneficial for students, but for society.”
“There’s a saying in the East when a student is ready the teacher appears,” explained Goldsmith.
Meditation is a means of calming the mind, developing self-awareness, and entering a state of peace. It can be beneficial both mentally and physically. For some, it is a stress reliever, or even a way of life.
“[Meditation is] a psychological sense of being where one is untouched by fear, desire and social obligations,” Goldsmith explained.
Instructors Daniel Goldsmith and Madeleine Côté are eager to welcome any new participants who are interested in meditation.
