Dear College of Education Community,
Higher education professionals often experience work-related stress and pressure. Self-care is critical to avoid burnout when faced with day-to-day work demands and allows us to view what matters most in our world. One way to do this is through contemplative practice. Examples of contemplative practice include meditation, mindfulness, reflection, and yoga. Contemplation of self, environment, and spirit can raise awareness of our connection to each other and a greater good. Dr. Ajit Pyati, an Associate Professor at the Western University of Ontario, authored the 2022 book Reflections on Valuing Wellbeing in Higher Education. In his chapter titled “Yoga and the contemplative path: Placing meaning at the center of self-care and wellbeing in university life,” he states, “This chapter is a call for university faculty and staff to find deeper meaning in their lives, to integrate the different dimensions of their selves, and to take ownership over their lives’ journeys. Therefore, it is upon all of us in academia to work on ourselves and light the path to a more humane, mature, and uplifting university life.”
If you are interesting in reading more about contemplative practice and well-being in higher education, please consider reading this book Reflections on Valuing Wellbeing in Higher Education
For a list of other self-care options, you can also go to our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at
https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care
May all of us find time to contemplate our work in our own way.
Warmly,
Shari