Open Discussion

January 27, 2009 at 7pm

Rare Book Room in Perkins Library

Several months ago, a conversation emerged between Craig Kocher, of Duke Chapel, Michael Goldman of Jewish Life at Duke, and Abdullah Antepli, Duke's new Muslim Chaplain of Muslim Life at Duke, and two psychologists from CAPS, Joe Talley and Gary Glass.  Wisdom, satisfaction with life, and things we were each thankful for became part of the conversation, and it wasn't long before we all realized we were enjoying an enriching time together.  We continued the conversation weeks later, joined by Punita Gandhi, one of the psychology interns this year at CAPS.  The conversation expanded to explore what role spirituality plays in students' lives, the meaning of the phrase spiritual but not religious, and the fact that stigma and preconceived notions of religion and psychotherapy often play a role in how our respective vocations are perceived. 

It didn't take long for us to conclude that we wanted to have this conversation with students (and other members of the university community, for that matter).  That's when we decided to reserve a room, and host a discussion.  We decided to call it What is Spiritual, Anyway? to capture the informal tone of our conversations as well as the broad questions about what constitutes spirituality and spiritual experiences in the lives of individual human beings.   

Please join us for this informal discussion being hosted by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Duke Chapel, and Jewish Life at Duke.  What is Spiritual, Anyway? is meant to offer an arena to talk about how Duke students understand and experience "spiritual" aspects of their lives.  Craig Kocher, of Duke Chapel, Michael Goldman of Jewish Life at Duke, and Duke's new Muslim Chaplain, Abdullah Antepli of Muslim Life at Duke, will join staff from CAPS to lead the discussion.  While the hosts represent varying religious and psychological perspectives, the emphasis will not be on religious beliefs but rather on engaging the community to share the daily experiences of enrichment, fulfillments, and wisdoms that emerge in all of our lives.