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Past CSC Events

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A student draws a sunset with oil pastels in the Contemplative Commons. Other art supplies are present on the table, such as markers, colored pencils, and more oil pastels.
Synaptic Transformations through ART: Mandalas

Swiss psychologist Carl Jung once said: “I knew that in finding the mandala as an expression of the self, I had attained what was for me the ultimate.” 

Derived from the Sanskrit word for circle, mandalas are intricate geometric designs deeply rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. As you journey through the mandala towards its center, you are guided on a spiritual path—transcending pain and suffering, and moving toward ultimate joy and wholeness. 
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Contemplative Commons Golden Light Brown College
MOVIE NIGHT: Marshall (2017)

With the November 4 election right around the corner, this is a great time to make sure you are registered to vote! The Contemplative Sciences Center invites you to relax at a movie night featuring Marshall (2017). We'll also provide an opportunity for you to register for the upcoming election. Snacks will be provided!

Location: Contemplative Commons 300 (Studio 3B)

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A group of students sitting in the center of the Contemplative Commons Gingko Garden Courtyard while playing guitars.
Acoustic Jam Session

Join University Records, Indieheads, WXTJ, and the Contemplative Sciences Center for another Acoustic Jam Session on Wednesday, October 22 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm in the Contemplative Commons Gingko Garden Courtyard! Bring instruments to play or simply come to enjoy the music & community. Refreshments will be provided!
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salon and circling
Circling (Social Meditation)

Do you want to go deeper within your relationships? Are you curious to mindfully connect with others? Are you ready to discover a practice that empowers your personal and spiritual development? 

Circling is a social meditation that explores connection and present-moment awareness. Join us and experience both guided practices and free-form relational arts. 
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Karianne Michelle performing a Sound Bath in the Contemplative Commons.
Soundbath

Join us for a sound bath led by Karianne Michelle. Free and open to the public.
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SENSEmaking: A Symposium on Contemplative Technologies
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SENSEmaking: A Symposium on Contemplative Technologies
Join us for SENSEmaking, a two-day public symposium exploring contemplative practices, immersive technology, and the senses. The symposium is an incubator of ideas and experiences designed to catalyze cutting-edge research on how contemplative practices and immersive technologies can revitalize the human capacity for sensemaking. UVA community attends free.
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salsa
Salsa Night
A student-led (open to all!) night of Salsa (dance) and salsa (chips)—a fun way to celebrate culture and community with salsa x2.
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stART Brain Fitness
stART: BRAIN FITNESS - Synaptic Transformations Through Art
For Students: Join the Contemplative Sciences Center Friday, September 26 the Ginkgo Garden courtyard for a playful and mind-expanding workshop in mixed media illustration—using your non-dominant hand!
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A palm warbler sitting on a branch. Photo credit: Ellen Daniels
Warbler Walk - Fall 2025

Register here. Open to all!

Want to witness the fall warbler migration? Join the Contemplative Sciences Center for a nature walk with birding and Bodo's at the O-Hill Trails. We will meet at the trailhead at 8:00am. Bagels will be provided!
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big meadows stars
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Camping and Contemplation Under the Cosmos
For UVA Students: UVA Rec and the Contemplative Sciences Center are partnering to offer students a retreat under the sun and stars at the Big Meadows campground in Shenandoah National Park. Come experience the awe of the morning and night skies. The retreat includes star-watching, a hike, and morning yoga practice. Transportation provided.
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Promotional flyer for GRIEF, an open dialogue salon facilitated by Kim Penberthy from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. It is on September 18, 2025, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm, at the Contemplative Commons room 404
Salon: GRIEF
Drawing on decades of work with individuals navigating loss, Dr. Kim Penberthy highlights contemplative and therapeutic approaches to understanding and healing grief.
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acoustic jam landscape
Acoustic Jam with University Records - 2025

Student-led: Open to All. Join University Records, Hoos on Aux, and the Contemplative Sciences Center for an acoustic jam session! Bring your acoustic instruments to play, or just sit back and enjoy the music.   

There will be light refreshments and opportunities to explore the intersections of music and contemplative practice.

The event will take place at the Contemplative Commons Gingko Garden Courtyard near the Dell Pond from 5:00-7:00pm on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
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The Sea, part 1 by Meg Hitchcock. Tiny cut out letters from Virgil's The Aeneid and Homer's The Odyssey are arranged to appear as undulating waves.
Exploring Contemplation & Art with Meg Hitchcock

Join us for a reception and artist talk with New York-based multidisciplinary artist Meg Hitchcock, creator of The Sea, Parts I and II, currently on display in the Contemplative Commons First Floor Gallery! This event is free and open to the public.

3:30 pm - Art viewing in the Gallery (first floor)
4:00 pm - Artist talk, Q&A, and refreshments in the Alchemy (fourth floor)
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Contemplative Commons Angle Front
POPSocial

For UVA Students: Curious about the Contemplative Commons? Come and explore the space and enjoy a cool refreshing popsicle provided by La Flor Michoacana!

There will be student-led activities, plus opportunities to explore the various spaces within the Contemplative Commons; a fun felt pennant-making spot for your dorm room; tours of the building and contemplative spaces; and popsicles on the 4th floor in the Alchemy. 

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Building Nighttime
Beyond the Noise: Flourishing Through Life’s Uncertainties

View the recording of the talk here.

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Headshot of Dr. Kelly Crace
Intensity to Vitality: Flourishing Through Chronic “Too-Muchness”

Recording - Watch the webinar replay 
Slides - View the presenter slides

Our relentless world of demands, uncertainty, pace, and noise can be overwhelming.

How do we allow for the honesty of being affected by life and still function and perform at a level we hope or expect of ourselves?

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Elements of Peace Group2
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Elements of Peace Summer Program for Youth

The Elements of Peace Summer Program offers youth (ages 11-15) a nature immersion retreat—a fun, screen-free experience for rest, reflection, and connection before the next school year begins. Rooted in mindfulness, creative expression, and deep connection with nature, we invite participants to slow down, reflect, and engage in community-building while developing tools for peaceful leadership, such as compassionate communication, visioning, and environmental stewardship.
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Recharge: Restorative Yoga and Meditation begins July 22
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RECHARGE: Restorative Yoga & Meditation

BEGINS JULY 22

Take a weekly pause with this new restorative drop-in! Each session will include gentle yoga and meditation practices to help you feel refreshed for the rest of your day. This restorative yoga practice facilitates deep relaxation and is suited for both beginners and those with more experience. 

Supports and mats will be available.

Tuesdays, 12:00 - 12:45 pm
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carelab4
CARELab Incubator 2025: Conscious AI
The Contemplative Sciences Center is excited to collaborate with our partner CARE360 to pilot an 8-day innovative conscious AI program for young people, CARELab Incubator: Conscious AI. The program will be held at the University of Virginia's Rotunda, July 14-July 27, 2025.
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Tomorrow Talks
Tomorrow Talks: Virtual Reality Meditation
Led by innovators in contemplative sciences scholarship, computer science, and contemplative facilitation, Virtual Reality Meditation explores how ancient meditative practices are being innovated to simulate experiences within the virtual landscape, particularly the aNUma “numadelic” aesthetic experience. Demos of Virtual Reality will accompany the discussion. Join us to discuss these new worlds of meditation.
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