Every Tuesday, Debbie Kroeger, a specialist at the tutoring and learning center, holds a free meditation session for students and staff to join. Together with Dr. David Opon, Professor of Natural Science and Physical Education, they lead the Practicing Mindfulness (PM) Club at Joliet Junior College’s main campus. These sessions are available in person and online.
“In 2017, there was a group of students interested in starting a Meditation Club with Office of Student Activities (OSA),” Kroeger said, “It was an excellent way to share with JJC students what Dr David Opon was researching about the impact of perceived stress on Community College students and what I have been experiencing after beginning a personal meditation practice.”
Kroeger had practiced meditation before, different forms helping her throughout her life.
“I attended the eight-week MBSR program and found it extremely helpful,” Kroeger said, “After that class, I have done my best to practice some sort of meditation daily. Also, there are other ways to meditate that involve movement: mindful walking, yoga, being in nature.”
Dr. Opon wanted to bring meditation to students at JJC, to work alongside Kroeger and create a place of peace of mind for students.
“I wanted to bring some of the concerts of mindfulness and meditation to JJC students,” Opon said, “I learned around the same time that Deb Kroger had a strong interest in meditation. So, we joined together to start the club.”
Kroeger and Opon are not the only people who found meditation to be helpful. Jennifer Quinn, Department Secretary of Agriculture, Horticulture & Veterinary Sciences, is in the PM Club and uses these meetings to connect with others.
“We were ‘Monday Morning Meditation’ in the quiet area of the library, and now we are ‘Take Time-out Tuesday’ meeting in the quiet area of the Tutoring Center in the ‘C’ Building,” Quinn said.
Like Quinn, Academic Advisor Lisa Rivera joined the club in hopes of finding a positive environment to help her.
“Before I started the meditation group at JJC, I was looking for ways to help me cope with my chronic pain in my thoracic area caused by my spinal tumor removal surgery,” Rivera said, “So, I was very happy to hear about JJC’s Meditation that was only 30 minutes weekly and held at that time in the library.”
In the beginning, meditation seemed difficult; however, with time and patience, Rivera soon was able to meditate without pain.
“At first, focusing on the guided meditations was difficult since my mind seemed to focus on my pain, but I continued every week redirecting my thoughts to the meditation,” Rivera said, “After much practice and support, I focus better, no longer feel any pain while meditating, can meditate for longer periods of time, and feel very refreshed, relaxed, and energized both physically and mentally.”
If interested, anyone can join the Sustainability for Mind, Body, and Soul by joining through QR code postings or emailing Kroeger to be added to the team for access to all they offer.
