Office of Religious and Spiritual Life - A proud member of 成人大片 Student Services

Shavuot, Hajj, Eid al-Adha, and Pentecost

MORSL — Fri, 30 May 2025 20:13:27 +0000

This week, there are several holidays that commemorate past receipt of sacred knowledge, texts, and/or gifts. Each offers rich communal and personal faith experiences.

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is May 17

MORSL — Thu, 15 May 2025 15:29:07 +0000

May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), a day to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ people and ways their rights are violated and to advocate for change across the globe. It is also a time to celebrate the progress that has already been made. This day was chosen to remember May 17, 1990, the date the World Health Organization declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. Over 150 countries participate and you can find events at may17.org.

Creating Sacred Space This Summer

MORSL — Thu, 15 May 2025 15:27:27 +0000

Looking to cultivate greater inner wellness this summer? Whether you're back home or still in school, MORSL has some resources and recommendations:

What is Vesak?

Carlene Gardner — Mon, 12 May 2025 13:55:26 +0000

The celebration of Buddha's birthday is one of the most important Buddhist holy days. It is an especially important day for Theravada and Tibetan Buddhists that commemorates the birth, awakening and passing away of Buddha. It goes by many names, including Wesak or Vesak, and is usually celebrated on the first full moon in May, or the month that most closely corresponds in the Western calendar to the ancient lunar month Vesakha. This year, the full moon is on聽May 12.

Doubt and Disorientation

Andrea Lefoley — Tue, 06 May 2025 16:29:46 +0000

It's 3 AM and you stare with bleary eyes into the darkness. You've tossed and turned half the night, desperately seeking the relief of sleep's blissful oblivion. Before bed, you nervously bit your fingernails to mangled little stubs. Earlier that day you may have lacked the appetite for dinner, feeling a dull despair, as though meaning were slowly bleeding out of your life.

A Hymn

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:48:28 +0000

Said the human to God: I want to know you.

Please teach me how. Lead me your way.

God said: Start with these small drops of rain

And dig your knuckles into earth鈥檚 fragrant terrain

聽

Once you see, you cannot unsee.

With only two eyes, sip tenderly.

Magic is Alive.

In everything, there is infinitely more聽聽聽聽聽 Growth

So wake the morning with your roar聽聽聽聽聽聽 An Oath

Open your mouth like a baby bird stretching its view

And let the sweet words of prayer speak you

Waltz

Sara Cornett — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:47:36 +0000

I like the word waltz,

so I kept it for the title.

Though it has no immediate relevance

to this serenade of randomness;

no particular thing to say:

only a desire to soar with you

in our minds, with our hearts;

as kindred spirits can only do.

聽

The other day while I was on the bus,

burdened by burdens,

i thought of heaven.

I never really thought of heaven like I did that day;

it brought tears to my eyes.

聽

How I longed for heaven at that time:

i saw the beauty;

Meet Nicholas

MORSL — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 15:34:56 +0000

Hello! My name is Nicholas, and I鈥檓 a U3 International Development Student. I鈥檓 half Canadian and half Colombian, but I grew up in the tiny Southeast Asian nation of Brunei, where I lived for seventeen years. Growing up in Southeast Asia exposed me to various traditions and led me to take an interest in Buddhism along with other Eastern philosophies. Meditation and mindfulness are central to my daily routine and have permanently changed my life for the better. I have undertaken over two hundred hours of Vipassana meditation training and am currently running the 成人大片 Meditation Club.

March 2025: A Time for Fasting in Many Faiths!

MORSL — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 14:52:20 +0000

Many people of diverse faiths across the world are fasting this month!

Meet Benjamin

Benjamin Rudski — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 16:06:54 +0000

Hey! I鈥檓 Benjamin (you can also call me Ben; he/him). I鈥檓 a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Quantitative Life Sciences program at 成人大片. In my research, I follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Ezekiel, trying to make dry bones 鈥渓ive again鈥�; my research focuses on quantifying and understanding the relationship between lifestyle and bone architecture. Before my PhD, I completed an undergraduate degree at 成人大片. I grew up in Montreal鈥檚 Jewish community, studying at Jewish elementary and high school, and attending an Ashkenazi Modern Orthodox synagogue for most of my life.