Student Facilitator Practicum: Fall 2023

Pavan Cheruku

Pavan is a sophomore studying Neuroscience and Film. Something that makes him happy is laughing with friends. Pavan meditates by accepting the present moment as it is and expressing himself authentically. Pavan enjoys making short films, playing the guitar, doodling, and biking. He loves the community in the meditation club: it’s a space where we can all come as we are and be accepted.

Alex Turnberg

Alex is a junior studying Food Science. A perfectly ripe avocado makes him happy. His favorite way to meditate is by simply observing the mind, differentiating between thoughts and feelings, and he meditates because he believes it can help him achieve any goals he aspires to. He also believes it is the ultimate form of self-discovery, allowing us to observe our minds in ways otherwise impossible. The concept of time is something that blows his mind; infinity is inconceivable and he’s always wanted the ability to look millions of years into the past and future. Alex enjoys working out, gardening, playing guitar, and watching movies. He likes meditation at UMass most for the community that comprises it. It is a great space to find like-minded people that are open minded, welcoming, and friendly.

Chloe Springer

Chloe is a senior studying Biology, minoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Seeing people do or talk about things they are truly passionate about makes her happy. Her favorite way to meditate is through loving-kindness meditation (metta) and through body scans. She meditates to create peace, cleanse her mind, and to allow her monkey brain to be itself. Outside of school and meditation she enjoys journaling, spending time in nature, live music, and being with her family, friends, and dog, Luna. She loves the community UMass meditation brings together and the unforgettable connections and friendships she has built through it.

Eliza Keenan

Eliza Keenan is a senior studying English. Something that makes her happy is doing her little dance, especially when her friends do it too. Her favorite way to meditate is in public, because it’s an opportunity to release anxiety over how she is perceived by others. Eliza meditates to connect with a heart-sourced, selfless self so that she can fully embrace the beauty of others. What fascinates her the most about the world is that every being has a consciousness, spirit, perception and experience, fully operational and charged with vitality, occurring constantly and to no lesser degree than any other being’s. Outside of school and meditation, she enjoys writing creatively, reading, journaling, playing or writing music, being outside, exploring new places, playing with friends and family, card tricks, solitaire, making her friends do sudoku, thinking about wisdom teeth, doing her little dance while Camden is asleep, waking up in places that aren’t her bed, or anyone’s bed, watching the films her brother makes, ordering books to be sent to her grandmother’s nursing home, and filling out Pavan’s form so that her info can be put on this website. Her favorite thing about UMass meditation is being part of a community of people who are also invested in an internal process, who want to slow down and discover what meditation might have to offer. It is beautiful to share this experience together.

Eden Gross

Eden Gross is a senior Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies major. Something that makes her happy is being in nature in anyway possible, whether it be floating in water or sitting around plants. Her favorite way to meditate is by being mindful when cleaning, such as washing dishes or organizing. She tries to focus on her breath and posture, and engaging fully in the present. She meditates to ground herself in the present, and to sit with the feelings within her body. What fascinates her the most about the world is that normal is not a fixed idea: what is considered “normal” differs by culture and groups. Outside of school and meditation, she enjoys reading oracle cards, writing poetry, cooking, and being with her cats. Her favorite part about UMass meditation is the community that it is built around and how in the time we are meditating everyone is respectful and open minded. It is nice to have a space outside of the hustle of the day from classes to the bus, where silence and stillness is invited and intentional.

Eli Howe

Eli Howe is a sophomore studying Psychology. Something that makes him happy is talking to strangers. He lives for a good metta meditation – he notices that the energy is always crazy afterwards. He meditates to cultivate a sense of detachment and liberation from thoughts and feelings. He’s a psychology major, so he has to say people fascinate him the most about the world, or else he’ll probably get kicked out of his major. Outside of school and meditation, he enjoys making/playing music, writing, connecting with people, and most importantly dancing. His thinks the UMass meditation community is amazing. He thinks there’s a word for how awesome it is that starts with an “E” but he can’t think of it – if you know please reach out, he’s probably still thinking about it. He believes the energy of the group is completely different from anything he’s ever experienced before, and loves that you can be 100% yourself.

Eddie Zhou

Eddie Zhou is a senior studying Psychology and Education. Something that makes him happy is making music. His favorite way to meditate is alone, in his room, with a soothing scent in the background. He meditates for many reasons, but mostly, to recognize what thoughts belong to him, and get in touch with his higher powers and capabilities. What fascinates him most about the world is how change is constantly occurring. Outside of school and meditation, he enjoys making music!

Madlyn Phillips

Madlyn Phillips is a sophomore studying Biology on the pre-med track. Something that brings her joy is spending time with the people she loves, exploring new experiences, and reflecting on ways to improve her personal practice. She believe that we should spend our time living our lives to the fullest, bringing positivity towards ourselves, and allowing ourselves to let our negative feelings go. Knowing that she has much more to work on spiritually gives her purpose, and she wonders where her life will take her. She finds cleansing meditations, and meditations involving our crown and third eye chakras to be the most enlightening. Enveloping the soul intuitively with intention and expelling what brings us down makes her feel at peace. She meditates to learn more about herself and to step away from the stimulations that our world can bring. Meditating gives her a peace of mind different from anything else she has experienced. It gives her the ability to separate how she consciously views life with how different experiences make her feel. She truly believes that mediation has a place in everyone’s life, a healing experience that can help anybody with a willingness to try. What fascinates her the most about the world is the beauty of the Earth. She believes the coincidence of life on this planet, and the environmental conditions it fosters is a miracle to behold. Beyond this, she is in love with nature, and the different cultures we have created as humans. Madlyn believes that despite our many differences, we are all interconnected, which is why in times of disarray it is important to remember that we are one.

Madeleine Charney

Madeleine has worked at UMass since 2004 and she is the Librarian for built/natural environment majors. Watching the Norway spruces sway from her bedroom window every morning makes her happy. Her favorite way to meditate is labyrinth walks, and she meditates to liberate herself from constructs. The world fascinates her most when she slows down enough to notice how EVERYTHING is in constant motion. Outside of meditating, Madeleine enjoys growing medicinal herbs, singing, and reading autobiographies. Her favorite thing about UMass meditation is the camaraderie with people on campus who are curious, open, and actively cultivating resilience for the Greater Good.