Once a week Joan Malje, a volunteer at the Museum of Art, spends an hour meditating at the Museum of Art for a chance to let go of all thoughts and problems.
She initially began meditating in hopes that it would help her restless sleeping habits. Although she is fairly new to meditation, she has already noticed calming and comforting improvements.
"(Meditation) helps cleanse the mind of needless thoughts and thus see into one's nature. The emphasis is on personal experience," Malje said.
Every Friday from 3:30 until 4:30 p.m. the Museum of Art has devoted a soothing spot for meditation to accommodate the hectic schedules many Ball State Students endure. The program, which started in Spring 2008, gives students, faculty and staff the opportunity to cleanse their minds before their eventful weekends begin.
Tania Said, director of the Ball State meditation hour, said museum staff members want "to encourage use of the Museum of Art as a reflective place suitable for contemplation about art and life." No religious affiliation is required to practice meditation, so anyone is welcome, she said. When describing why the hour was devoted to meditators, Said explained she wants the Ball State community to take advantage of what the museum offers and said staff would like to continue the program into the Spring 2010 Semester if enough interest is shown.
"The Wellness programs in the museum are growing phenomenally, and museum staff sees the building and the collections able to support goals beyond aesthetic and educational enjoyment," Said said.
Meditation at the Museum is self-guided and takes place on the second-floor balcony near the Amidha Buddha. Any bench or open floor space is an acceptable spot to meditate, she said.
George Wolfe, outreach coordinator for the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, also offers meditation classes to Ball State students. He has been actively meditating for over 17 years. During the past 10, he has instructed more than 500 people in meditative practices.
Wolfe offers "mini-courses" on Gandharva meditation through the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. He said anyone is welcome to take part in the classes but he suggests three at a time, so they can fully understand the technique.
"Meditation is an experience of the body enjoying deep physical rest and relaxation, while the mind remains alert as it settles into a state of heightened awareness," Wolfe said. "It is considered the fourth state of consciousness, distinct from waking, dreaming and sleep states," Wolfe said.
There are many different types of meditation, but Wolfe specializes in Gandharva. During Gandharva meditation, the calmness hidden in the back of one's mind is released while bustling activity is subsided, he said. In addition, awareness is elevated and relaxation takes place, Wolfe said.
"[I] became familiar with this approach during my first trip to India in 1991 to study Hindustani music," he said. "Gandharva meditation does not use any forced concentration, nor is it a process where one tries to empty the mind of thoughts."
Wolfe said he thinks Ball State students can benefit from participating in meditation.
"It is a very enjoyable and pleasant experience and very beneficial for the release of stress," he said. "After meditating, one generally feels more relaxed and notices great clarity of mind. Life becomes more productive, actions more efficient, and a person gains deeper insight and finds greater meaning and satisfaction in whatever activity he or she is engaged in."
When asked how one should go about meditating if they have never done it before, Wolfe said it takes practice. Experienced meditation teachers understand how to explain proper technique, so it is best for inexperienced people to receive instruction.
"[Meditation involves] movement from one state of consciousness to another - from waking to deep sleep to dream state of consciousness, for example - and is governed by the involuntary nervous system," he said. "The same is true when entering the meditative fourth state of consciousness. One cannot willfully make it happen, but has to create proper condition in the nervous system for this transition to happen by itself."
ClassesClasses on Gandharva meditation begin Saturday, Sept. 26, and anyone who is interested in reserving a spot in the class or in taking part in the museum's meditation hour, can visit bsu.edu or contact George Wolfe at 765-285-5418 for more information.
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