Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – In an age when life tends to get away from us, due to the ever-increasing demands of work schedules, family life and other commitments, the University of Maine at Presque Isle has teamed up with Raphael Gribetz, a trained meditation instructor, to offer a six-week course designed to help students learn the techniques necessary to better handle day-to-day stress. “There are so many benefits to meditation. I’ve taught at the university before and introduced meditation at the beginning of class. It helped students focus,” said Gribetz, noting meditation served as a form of discipline. “It helped students focus on the subject of the class, helped them prioritize and brought them balance.”
Noticing how well meditation worked in class, helping students to focus on the day’s topic rather than concerns outside the class, Gribetz approached campus officials about offering a course on meditation.
“I appealed to President Don Zillman and he agreed to try such a program,” he said.
Working with Kim-Anne Perkins, professor and director of the bachelor of social work program, Gribetz has put together a course called Meditation and the Structure of Change, offered as Soc 286 in the class listings. The course will run from May 19 through June 27, with classes held Monday through Thursday, from 7-8:45 p.m. at Wieden Auditorium.
Unlike the typical in-class instruction, Gribetz is counting on some good weather to allow him to take participants outside for some of the sessions, using nature as a springboard to teach methods of relaxation and techniques to help individuals focus during their daily activities.
“Kim has been quite supportive. This program is designed not just for college students; it’s open to anyone – students, faculty or community members – and offers a number of benefits for participants,” said Gribetz.
As part of the social work program, Gribetz said the class was created to be socially-based.
“Meditation can fit into every aspect of life. For example, when one interviews a client, one has to separate their own self (from the interview process) in order to listen to another person,” he said.
Classes will include what Gribetz called a “sitting practice” to focus on technique, followed by one focused on “walking.”
“Sitting on cushions for extended periods helps develop a sense of where we begin and end – creates a sense of ‘our space’ and helps us see a justification of others’ rights and where they begin and end. By ‘walking,’ I’m referring to how one takes what they’ve learned and take it out into the world – it involves walking or taking it elsewhere,” said Gribetz.
Gribetz used the example of canoeing or kayaking and how meditation can help an individual focus on each stroke as they maneuver a waterway.
Students may even have an opportunity to use what they’ve learned on just such an adventure.
“Meditation can help an individual in adverse situations, helping them to focus, such as taking a stroke when traveling on rough water,” said Gribetz.
“I’m working with OAPI to use their equipment to take students on a Saturday trip kayaking,” he said. “That would use up about a week’s worth of class time in one outing and help students make the connection between meditation and how it can apply in daily activities.”
As an instruction tool, Gribetz has selected “When Parents Hurt” for the class text.
“It’s a dialogue between adults and adult children – what do each expect of the other,” he said.
Class time was selected so that sessions could be held outside, weather permitting.
“I did it that way to enjoy sunsets. Students can finish their day – be it filled with school or a day of work – by coming to class to meditate,” said Gribetz.
Gribetz’s program will help students focus on self, one’s thoughts and develop a sense of clarity.
“Through a new sense of awareness, one can consider walking or biking – using other forms of transportation that will provide added health benefits. It’s about breaking ground in the habitual path they take – break through the redundancy and get a different perspective,” he said.
Gribetz is hoping to get the community involved in class as well.
“This is an opportunity for the community of Presque Isle to learn a discipline like meditation together, as a community, to help break through repetitive paths. This is an opportunity to merely sit together and engage in a peaceful, exciting way,” he said. “A certain fearlessness develops in looking at our own decided path, seeing a new path and taking it.”
Interested individuals will have an opportunity May 9 to discuss the course with Gribetz during a gathering at the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle.
“I’m working with Sonja (Plummer-Morgan, librarian) again on this project. On May 9 at 6 p.m. I’ll be at a reading at the library where I’ll get to meet and talk with interested individuals – tell them what it’s really all about. It will be an open forum to discuss the program,” said Gribetz.
Refreshments will be served and preliminary course registration forms will be available.
The course counts as an elective and regular course fee applies.
Gribetz sees this as a chance for participants to learn about themselves and the world around them, taking with them the techniques needed to make desired changes in their daily lives.
“With the elections, everyone’s taking about ‘change.’ This is an opportunity to do that within yourself,” said Gribetz. “Life today is very stressful. This (meditation) is a technique that can help.”
For more information, contact 764-1840 or e-mail ngribetz@maine.rr.com.
