40 Days for Spiritual Wellbeing
February 1 – March 12, 2022
40 Days is our annual series of programs and opportunities designed to create an intentional time and space to renew, reflect, and become more aware of one’s self and those around them. Inspired by practices of many spiritual traditions to set aside a portion of the year for reflection, this program invites all of any or no particular spiritual tradition to be nourished by these events.
Learn more about:
40 Days Calendar | Gatherings | Giveaways | Dear Diary
Commit to Sit | Drop-In Meditation | Labyrinth | Giving Back
40 DAYS CALENDAR
Download the 40 Days calendar to find a message, spiritual exercise, or event to nourish your whole being during this time for renewal. We’ll put up a new Instagram post every day. Find us on Instagram as @nu_rsl.
GATHERINGS
Come together as a community on select Wednesday evenings for one of two curated spaces. Happy Hour is a gathering for contemplation, ritual, and reflection, and Soul & Substance explores inspired texts, images, and art to engage together in dialogue and learning.
- February 9 | 5-6 PM | Parkes 122
Soul & Substance | Spirituality and Social Justice
Join Northwestern students in a community dialogue led by Tahera Ahmad, Associate University Chaplain, as we discover how our faith traditions or core principles help us navigate through a world of chaos and calm. - February 16 | 5-6 PM | Parkes Hall
Happy Hour | (Story)Telling and Writing for Liberation
Join Assistant University Chaplain, Rev. D’ana Downing, for a time of reflection and writing using guided prompts from Alice Walker’s celebrated text, The Color Purple. - February 23 | 5-6 PM | Parkes Hall
Happy Hour | Reflective Composition
Join Kent Brooks, Assistant Professor & Director in Religious & Spiritual Life, for an interactive journey into songwriting using contemplative sources. No previous musical experience is necessary to participate! - March 2 | 5-6 PM | Parkes Hall
Soul & Substance | Cinema Divina: The Color Purple
Join University Chaplain, Rev. Kristen Glass Perez, and Assistant University Chaplain, Rev. D’ana Downing, for a unique time of meaning-making and thoughtful conversation in response to short clips from Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-nominated film, The Color Purple.
WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS
Take a peek at our Instagram story each Saturday to have a chance to win a different weekly prize!
DEAR DIARY
- February 7 | 5-6 PM | Multi-Belief Space (Parkes 204)
Join a student-led cohort to embark on a journey of getting to know ourselves better by cultivating a daily journal practice. We will meet together a few times throughout the 40 days, with our first meeting on Monday, February 7 at 5 PM, snacks and journaling tips provided. We’ll bring the journals & pens; you bring your whole self.
COMMIT TO SIT
- Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning February 8 | 11 AM
Join these short biweekly virtual meditation drop-ins each Tuesday & Thursday at 11 AM, which give less than 10-15 minutes each day for a little slice of silence. As the length of silence increases during our 5-week journey, we may unlock the ability to find more space for quiet consistently in our lives. Join us on Zoom.
DROP-IN MEDITATION
- Fridays | 4-4:30 PM | Multi-Belief Space (Parkes 204)
Join the student meditation community each Friday from 4-4:30 PM. These weekly sessions are for any level of experience and help develop a new meditation habit, expand your current practice, and connect with others!
WALK THE LABYRINTH
- Each Monday beginning February 7 | 10 AM - 9 PM | Parkes 122
Let this ancient tradition help you find your own path to the center as you walk an actual labyrinth. A minimum of 20 minutes is encouraged for this self-guided experience.
- On Mondays, at 12:15 PM, you are invited to a brief time of centering community and check-in at the Labyrinth.
- If away from campus, explore this virtual labyrinth guide.
GIVING BACK
NU Thrift is a student-run thrift store with a mission to bring affordable and sustainable casual clothing to Northwestern students while also providing funding to activist groups by donating our proceeds. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to keep updated about upcoming pop-up thrift events during Winter Quarter.