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Temple may be a busy urban campus, but even us city dwellers need to take time to breathe and relax or simply, meditate. Meditation does not need to involve intense chanting or even yoga poses — it can simply be closing your eyes for 10-15 minutes or even taking a few deep breaths. At times, finding a quiet spot on campus can be difficult. However, solace can certainly be found at certain hidden gems throughout Temple University.
My favorite spot to stop in between classes when I need to just relax for a few minutes is Founder’s Garden, which is the little park next to the intersection of Polett and Liacouras walks. Especially in the spring, it is so relaxing just to sit and enjoy the beauty of the garden. I have also seen people set up chairs on the grass above the concrete frame of the park, which also works for a quick session of meditation or breathing exercises.
Morgan Hall’s courtyard outside the cafeteria is also a quiet spot that would be great for some breathing exercises, or for a 10 minute break from work, school and the general madness of life. It might be a little chilly now to sit outside, but sometimes the cold air can be great to just clear your head.
The next meditation spot would have to be the top floor of Paley Library or even the chairs that overlook the first floor. Perhaps it is just me, but the smell of books and the quietness of the library always make me calmer. Even just looking through some of the fascinating books that the library has to offer can really take your mind off whatever is triggering stress in your life.
The picnic table between Annenburg and Peabody Halls — which is covered by a tree that offers shading and a nice breeze — is another great meditation place. This is an ideal spot for resting because of the quiet and serene surrounding area, which would allow for a short 10 to 15 minutes of breathing or relaxation exercises.
Although this last place might be a bit loud, sometimes you can make your own meditation spot by simply relaxing and listening to your favorite music. Especially when it gets colder outside, I like to go to Starbucks and sit by the window with a book or a newspaper while sipping some warm, fancy drink that Starbucks has concocted.
Meditation can be difficult in a campus such as Temple. However, it is important to take time out of your day to breath and relax. These five places are just the start to the endless amounts of quiet spots on campus for you to meditate!