Elizabethtown College’s very own Meditation Club, a recently-formed organization dedicated to teaching and utilizing the principles of meditation, aims to provide a quiet, stress-free and relaxing environment for any willing participant.
After taking a “Dharma Traditions” class with Dr. Jeffrey Long, professor of religion and Asian studies and department chair, several students on campus decided to pursue the formation of a meditation club on campus: junior Christian Sammartino and sophomore Kait Gibboney, as well as second-semester transfer student Stacey Catigano. Sammartino and Catigano were in Long’s class during the fall 2012 semester, and their out-of-class discussions on the topics covered in “Dharma Traditions” eventually led to their conception of a meditation-based, student-run club in which the spiritual practice of meditation was a key component.
From there, Sammartino said, “It seemed as if this group materialized around us.” He and Catigano surveyed the campus and community to gauge interest in the possible establishment of the club, and they found that there was an overwhelming amount of support. Catigano gathered nearly sixty signatures and email addresses for a general interest list, and the pair then drafted a club constitution, nominated officers and underwent the necessary procedures through the Office of Student Activities in order to be officially recognized as a campus club.
Sammartino was appointed president, Catigano was appointed vice president, Gibboney was appointed secretary and sophomore Tetiena Harley was appointed treasurer. Long became the club’s faculty advisor and mentor.
“I have hoped for many years that enough student interest would emerge to develop a club like this,” Long said. “For me, it is a wish come true!”
Long has been a regular meditation practitioner for many years, and his expertise in meditation instruction, spiritual traditions and religious traditions (specifically Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, also known as the Dharma Traditions) allow him to serve as a qualified and knowledgeable resource for the Meditation Club in their efforts to educate members on specific traditions and practices.
Despite his influential role in the club, Long stresses that the students who organized the group are responsible for the formation, maintenance and sustainability of the group. “It [needs] to be student-run,” he said.  “If it is entirely the initiative of a faculty member, it becomes entirely dependent on the faculty member’s time and energy, and the students do not really ‘own’ it.” In keeping with this standard, Long said the founders of the club have taken sufficient initiative during the process of the group’s establishment.
Long said that meditation is an effective “medium for self-exploration,” and that his personal goal is to “help the students fulfill their interest in developing a meditation practice and incorporating this practice and its values into their lives.”
Sammartino had a similar goal for the creation of the club. “I got a sense that this organization would become a restorative outlet for individuals and groups,” he said. “I think that [it] provides me with a sense of catharsis and peace, and I hoped to share those feelings with others so we could all experience meditation. We hope to create a relaxing environment in which to practice meditation, and we hope that each participant leaves with a clear mind and a light heart.”
Gibboney also attested to the benefits of meditation, both physical and mental, especially in regard to the busy life of a college student. “Meditation is a great way to relax and take the mind off of the stressful college lifestyle,” she said. “I’ve always found meditation to be quite relaxing and a nice way to take a break. It’s sometimes difficult to shut out cluttered thoughts from the day, but once you’ve got the hang of clearing the mind, it’s really beneficial. Personally, I feel like I can think a bit clearer after mastering the technique of emptying the mind.”
Part of the Meditation Club’s mission is welcoming participants from all walks of life, including students, faculty, staff and community members, regardless of experience level. “You certainly don’t have to be experienced in the ways of yoga or meditation to be a part of the club,” Gibboney stated. “It’s a great new experience […]. The mind as well as the body should be relaxed every once in a while to form a healthy lifestyle.”
The club aims to maintain a welcoming and open-minded atmosphere that speaks for itself. “Dr. Long, Christian and I decided early on that keeping it simple is best,” Catigano stated. “The mission of this club is to provide a nurturing and peaceful environment to explore various meditations.  This isn’t about a right way or wrong way; it is about finding a way that works best for you! There is no judgment, obligation or pressure to be a part of Meditation Club. Just bring yourself and a smile.”
The Meditation Club meets at 3:45 p.m. on Monday afternoons in the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. For more information, please contact the club officers at meditationclub@etown.edu.