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This is the blog of the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (CRSL) at Smith College. To learn more, visit our website.
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in these posts are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily shared by CRSL or by Smith College.
Tag Archives: community
CRSL Shepherds a Re-energized Ramadan at Smith
by Kim Alston
Whenever we guide others on a path or journey, whether spiritual or physical, it is a great responsibility for the appointed leader. The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life holds this sacred role dear to its heart. Students know when … Continue reading
Posted in Holidays, Programs & Events, Reflections, Spirituality, Uncategorized
Tagged community, identity, Islam, Ramadan, spirituality, worship
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Reflections on Peace
by Anna Ostow
Peace Now: Not the Absence of Tension but the Presence of Justice; Not the Presence of War but the Absence of Weapons By Reverend Matilda Cantwell, CRSL Director and College Chaplain When I was seventeen, I had a purple T-shirt; … Continue reading
Introducing the Reflect, Resist, Rejuvenate Lounge
by Anna Ostow
REFLECT RESIST REJUVENATE LOUNGE We are proud to announce the official “opening” or coming on-line of our Reflect, Resist, Rejuvenate lounge. This room was re-purposed just prior to the pandemic from a reading room to a reading room plus, with … Continue reading
What is Mindfulness Anyway?
by Anna Ostow
Mindfulness has become a bit of a buzz word these days, alongside concepts like “self-care.” So what is mindfulness anyways? Mindfulness is another way of talking about being present. To be present is to drop into current time and the … Continue reading
Posted in Newsletter Articles, Reflections, Spirituality
Tagged Buddhism, community, meditation, mindfulness, spirituality, stress/relaxation
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Invocation for Generating Justice and Joy Nov. 30, 2021
by Kim Alston
We are grateful that our earth has the capacity to take care of all living creatures. We affirm the importance of the humanity of all people. We are gathered to reconfirm our commitment to the seeking of this great concept … Continue reading
2021-2022: The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life Explores Transformative and Disability Justice as Spiritual Practices
This year as Smith focuses on “Democracies,” we are painfully aware that social injustices were woven into the fabric of our society at its founding. We also find ourselves at a point at which the very structure of democracy in … Continue reading
Posted in History, Newsletter Articles, Reflections, Social Justice, Spirituality, Uncategorized
Tagged campus news, community, CRSL news, Democracy, Disability, spirituality, transformation, welcome
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Reparations in Higher Education
by Kim Alston
This post is the first of a few to explore the theme of reparations. The term has come to refer to a broad movement advocating for payments and structural repair to those harmed by slavery in the U.S. and to … Continue reading
Posted in History, Programs & Events, Reflections, Social Justice
Tagged campus news, community, CRSL news, national news, race/racism, Reparations
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The War in Afghanistan, 9-11, and our Interconnectedness
by Kim Alston
I thought it was a good idea to bring attention to the handling of the events in Afghanistan by the U.S. military last month through Generating Justice and Joy because it demonstrates the confusion, complexity, complicity, and connection that so … Continue reading
Think of Criticalhope as One Word
Critical hope seems at first to be a contradiction in terms–a clash of two universes of discourse. “Hope” has to do with the experience of faith which inspires vision, which engages us in action and (hopefully) to a sacred, healing … Continue reading
Mrs. New’s Tattoo
I remember the first time I really saw the numbers tattooed on Mrs. New’s arm. I had seen them before, but by 11 years old, I knew enough to really see them. I remember a 2 and a long chain … Continue reading