The Sanctuary of the Mind

Abstract

University of Washington Abstract The Sanctuary of the Mind Pardis Moinzadeh Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Affiliate Assistant Professor, David Strauss A contemplative environment at the University of Washington introduces a place to think, meditate, contemplate and simply be by one’s self. The necessity for such an environment is felt in an academic, competitive environment, where there are high expectations, and limited time. The University of Washington understands the pressure that members of its community experience every day. In recent years, The University of Washington has started programs such as the Mindfulness Meditation Group sessions, counseling center, and mindfulness meditation at the Henry Art Gallery, to help students alleviate stress, and achieve “inner peace”. However, these opportunities can only welcome a limited number of people, need appointments and often have wait-lists. These limitations do not respond to the immediate needs of faculty and students, and those who need a moment of solitude. This thesis proposes a contemplative center that welcomes the University of Washington faculty, staff and students, at any desired time. The contemplative center will be a place for people to re-gain mental balance, to think in a quiet space, to find ease and tranquility, by offering a meditative environment. The contemplative center’s primary site is in the Sylvan Grove Theater, which is a meditative environment itself. The space is a portable architecture, providing an opportunity for the contemplative space to be moved from one site to another. This center carries the message that the quality of academic efforts, is directly associated with peacefulness of mind.