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Meditation

For a class, event, or resource on meditation

Close-up of a meditation bowl-bell being rung by a person in half-lotus posture

Tips for Beginner Meditators

These are general tips for practicing meditation. Additions or adjustments to these guidelines may apply to specific meditation practices and may be provided by individual contemplative instructors leading a particular practice, including Preparing for Meditation Practice, Addressing Common Challenges During Meditation Practice, and Transitioning Out of Meditation Practice.
Meditation
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Rock sculptures in the forest.

Step Away and Recharge: A 90-Minute Nature Retreat

Slow down your pace to reconnect with the natural world. In this 90-minute micro-retreat, you’ll explore simple expressive eco-art practices, relaxing therapeutic movement, and sensory activities designed to support wellbeing and deepen your connection with nature. Discover how a retreat is possible even in an urban setting for a short block of time.

Community, Meditation
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Poster for Spiritual Roots of Yoga talk with image of a woman meditating on the beach in the background

The Spiritual Roots of Yoga — Free Public Talk and Guided Meditation

In this free public talk and guided meditation, Sister Brahmani, a nun of Self-Realization Fellowship, will explore the spiritual roots of yoga through the wisdom of Paramahansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, who helped bring India's ancient science of yoga meditation to the West and whose universal teachings continue to inspire seekers around the world. Discover how timeless guidance for revealing the peace, joy, and spiritual potential within each one of us can bring greater fulfillment to your life. Free and open to the public.
Community, Meditation, Students, Yoga
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a group of students sits on a wooden floor in the Contemplative Commons and meditates, overlooking the foliage below from the floor to ceiling window

Mindfulness and Meditation

Learn about and practice mindfulness and meditation in these free, drop-in sessions for all of the UVA and Charlottesville community. Open and accessible to beginners and advanced practitioners alike, these guided sessions are short and provide time for questions and reflection.
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a group of students sits on a wooden floor in the Contemplative Commons and meditates, overlooking the foliage below from the floor to ceiling window

15-Minute Meditation at the Dell

An integrative practice with gentle guidance meant to welcome the day with stillness in the body and presence in the mind. Join in person or virtually on Zoom. Instructor: Allie Redshaw.
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Silhouette of a meditator overlooking a city at sunset (Photo by: Jaykumar Bherwan)

Evening Meditation

An integrative practice with gentle guidance meant to end the day with stillness in the body and presence in the mind. Instructor: Allie Redshaw.
Meditation
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a group of students sits on a wooden floor in the Contemplative Commons and meditates, overlooking the foliage below from the floor to ceiling window

Midday Mindfulness

Join us for a midday contemplative break led by the Contemplative Sciences Center staff and guest instructors. While practices shared may come from various traditions, they aim to invite participants to explore the mindful qualities of present-moment awareness, curiosity, and non-judgment. These are free, drop-in sessions for all of the UVA and Charlottesville community.

Community, Meditation, Students
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An image of trees behind the dell pond. the trees are various shades of green and orange.

Meditation from the Dell

In lieu of the Friday 4/4 Meditation from the Dell, if weather is permitting, join us for a Special Meditation from the Dell on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
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Virtual Meditation on the Lawn poster focusing on the Rotunda from the Lawn side in the Summer

Virtual Meditation on the Lawn: Playlist

LINK TO THE FULL PLAYLIST ON INSIGHT TIMER

Meditation, Insight Timer, Playlists
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View of UVA Lawn used for Meditation on the Lawn Poster

Virtual Meditation on the Lawn

Virtual Meditation on the Lawn was created in October 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic, to bring an opportunity for contemplative pause and intentional renewal each week to the UVA community and broader public. The weekly program was inspired by the 2013 in-person meditation on the lawn featuring Deepak Chopra and Arianna Huffington. It is currently not being offered but has been replaced by the comparable Meditation from the Dell on Tuesday mornings. All of the Virtual Meditations on the Lawn were recorded and posted on YouTube.
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