
Mindfulness Practice at Southwestern College
I was recently at the American Art Therapy Association conference in Washington D.C. and was asked by a prospective student whether we have a required “mindfulness practice” here as a part of the program. We do not. We do notice that there are activities that spontaneously arise in every entering class. For example, one student planned a bi-weekly meditation group in our spiritual practice room. Another offered yoga classes to students, staff and faculty. It is heartening when such offerings arise naturally with each group of students. We seem to attract students who really vary quite a bit spiritually. We have Christians, Buddhists, Pagans, Sufis, Native American Spirituality practitioners and agnostics to name some. It really tends to resemble what is out in our world which makes for the perfect laboratory. Therapy clients have various backgrounds and belief systems. The more diverse our student body is the better the laboratory!