Erie Pa., — Smoothing the Soul is one of the many activities offered by Gannon. Though Smoothing the Soul is a part of campus ministry, anyone who wishes to take an hour out of their night and meditate with a fresh smoothie is welcome to join. It’s hosted every Tuesday night, at 8pm.
Attendees gather in room 202, on the second floor of North Hall. The night starts with a creative icebreaker question, followed by a few minutes of meditation, which is either guided audio, recorded noises like water or nature sounds, or silent meditation. Afterwords, group members talk while enjoying a smoothie, which flavor changes week to week.
Smoothing the Soul has two student leaders. Student leader Chelsea Total began leading four semesters ago, while student leader Angelise Zakis has been leading for two semesters. Leader Chelsea Total describes her view on meditation, and how Smoothing the Soul has shaped it.
“Meditation to me is a way that I can deconstruct some of my thoughts. I remember last year I wanted to lead Smoothing the Soul because I was going through a rough patch, so I thought it would be a time of the week where I could unpack my thoughts, while at the same time helping other people unpack their thoughts. It’s just a break in the week. You take some of your feelings that you’re experiencing and break it down during meditation. It’s like a little escape.”
Leader Angelise Zakis says that she enjoys having a break from everyday worries, and that she also enjoys feeling the benefits of meditation afterwords.
“For me, I’m a daydreamer, and I like getting lost in my head. It’s nice to have a time where I can plan to do that, intentionally.” She adds that, “Usually after, I end up feeling a little more focused and clearheaded and relaxed.”
Though the group is managed by the two student leaders, Resident Campus Minister of North Hall, Emily Muntean advises them.
She began advising Smoothing the Soul two years ago and says that her favorite part of hosting the group is, “Having an opportunity once a week to invite students across campus into my home, into my apartment, and give students a safe space and a relaxing space on campus.”
She adds that, “My other favorite part is that campus ministry tries to provide a really wide range of programs that almost any student on campus, regardless of faith identity or spiritual background can get connected to us in some way…One of my favorite parts about it is it gets a diverse group of students to connect to campus ministry, and gets them engaged in their spirituality in some way.”
Though not every member shows up every week, and it certainly is not a requirement to participate every week, both student leaders describe one of their favorite parts of leading the group as seeing both new and returning faces every week.
As for the smoothie flavors that they serve every week, they say that they do take suggestions for new flavors, but they mostly choose from a set rotation that they have created.
One of the most unique parts of Smoothing the Soul is the creative icebreaker questions. Leader Angelise Zakis says they come up with the questions by talking or telling stories, until a question pops into mind. “One time we were talking about jobs or something, and the question of the night ended up being what do you want your retirement job to be…Sometimes they’re spins on common questions.”
Another unique component of Smoothing the Soul is the concept of Shameless Plugs. After meditation, students are given the opportunity to plug any activities, club meetings, or other things they want other students to be informed about.
Student Mikal-Bryan Ott has been coming to Smoothing the Soul for about two semesters, and mentions Shameless Plugs, as well as the social connections, as his favorite parts of attending. “I enjoy the social aspect- the Shameless Plugs, being yourself, and interacting in a small room environment. It’s chill, calm, and peaceful, and it’s welcoming.”
If you find yourself free on Tuesday night, don’t hesitate to join North Hall in Smoothing the Soul. Not only will you leave with the benefits of meditation, but with a fresh smoothie and conversation.
