About the Serenity Center
Located in The Union, Warren 419, the Serenity Center is a welcoming sanctuary where students, faculty, and staff can retreat, relax and recenter. Its calming environment features natural light, greenery, cushions, blankets, artwork, and a small library of books focused on contemplative study. Weekly event offerings provide opportunities for guided meditation, restorative practices, and self-discovery. The Serenity Center is committed to being an inclusive space where people of all identities and backgrounds can connect and foster a strong sense of community and belonging.
What are presence, mindfulness and meditation?
Presence is intentional attentiveness in each given moment; being in the moment. For example, presence could be you silently watching the trees and noticing every detail.
Mindfulness builds on being present. It can help improve awareness and deepen intimacy with yourself, with others, and your environment. These practices can include meditation, yoga, prayer, breath-work, dance, art making, exploring a path within the woods, etc.
Meditation is a mindfulness practice that can strengthen the muscle of “presence”. Some examples include sitting still on a meditation pillow and observing your thoughts, feeling your heartbeat and the temperature of your skin, or walking through the arboretum and intentionally listening to nature.
Information
The Serenity Center is open during The Union's hours of operations.
Have questions about meditation or the Serenity Center? Contact Mark Gabriele, Lead Coordinator and Meditation Guide, at gabrieml@jmu.edu.
View Regular Hours,
Holidays and Other Exceptions
