Student Facilitator Practicum: Spring 2023

Amanda Rasmuson

Amanda is a senior studying Natural Resource Conservation. Being in the company of people who are lighthearted and like to laugh because life is too short to not find everything absolutely ridiculous makes her happy, and her favorite ways to meditate are barefoot walking meditations in nature, silence and body scans. She meditates because it’s the best thing she can do for herself. Plus there is only so much happiness pizza can bring one person before they plateau. The coincidences and synchronicities that we encounter everyday when we actually take the time to be present fascinate her most about the world. Outside of meditating, Amanda has an endless array of hobbies including writing, playing video games, and listening to and listening to/creating music. Her favorite things about UMass meditation are how many people in the community are invested in or interested in meditation, seeing new faces at the group sits, and then seeing those same faces come back after they notice it has a positive effect on their life.

Brandon Báez

Brandon Báez is a senior studying Psychology with a Spanish minor. Reading books, thrifting, music, and jamming make him happy. His favorite ways to meditate are vipassana meditation, dynamic mindfulness, chanting, and loving-kindness. Brandon meditates to help cultivate and strengthen his awareness, decrease his reactivity to events in life, and to understand the nature of the mind. He is fascinated most by how rapidly the world is changing and the opportunities that come with that. Also, by the shifting in the collective consciousness from the people that aim to heal! Outside of meditating, Brandon loves playing guitar and wailing, and his favorite thing about UMass meditation is the growing community of meditators.

Nate Cupertino

Nate C. is a sophomore studying Neuro-Psychology. Finding ways to be creative makes him happy, and his favorite way to meditate is by focusing on the breath. But, he also considers drawing to be a great form of meditation. Nate C. meditates to cultivate focus, and he is most fascinated by humanity’s capacity to reach a higher state of consciousness through genuine moral effort. Outside of meditating, he enjoys drawing, painting, hiking, skateboarding, and listening to music and podcasts. His favorite thing about UMass meditation is the community ? he’s made many like minded friends who are genuinely good people!

Nate Wright

Nate W. is a senior studying Civil and Environmental Engineering. Taking a deep breath makes him happy, and his favorite way to meditate is by being here now. He meditates because it’s joyful and makes him feel more alive. Existence and the beauty of nature is what fascinates him most about the world. Outside of meditating, Nate W. enjoys running, spending time with friends, and laughing. His favorite thing about UMass meditation is the people and the community we’ve built ????

Pascal von Fintel

Pascal is a senior studying Computer Science. Contra dancing (a form of social dance that has a thriving community in New England) makes them happy, and their favorite way to meditate is group meditation. They meditate because everything gets better when they practice; it’s the single most beneficial act that they can do for their mental health and perception of the world. Thinking about all the things we don’t know or don’t understand and the mysteries of the universe fascinates them most about the world. Outside of meditating, Pascal rock climbs three times a week! Their favorite thing about UMass meditation is the wonderful community of people who meditate for many different reasons coming together to share and practice together.

Courtney Borstel

Courtney is a senior studying Psychology. Being around others in a supportive and positive environment makes her so happy. She loves to meditate outside while focusing on the breath and allowing herself the grace to practice centering her mind. She meditates to slow her mind down and focus on the most valuable thing life has to offer: the present moment. She is most fascinated by the world’s endless opportunities wherever you are. Outside of class, Courtney loves to surf, learn new things, spend time with others, and go on adventures. In the UMass meditation community, she’s met some of the kindest and warmest souls she’s ever had the pleasure to connect with.

Pavan Cheruku

Pavan is a freshman studying Neuroscience and Film. Something that makes him happy is connection: connection between ideas is satisfying and joyful, and connection between loved ones and strangers is also a beautiful experience. Pavan meditates by doing body scans and focusing on the breath… letting thoughts and feelings come up, exist, and flutter away on their own. He meditates to feel his experience of life, pass through the layers of thought and abstraction, and actually feel the moment as it is. Change fascinates him most about the world; everything is constantly changing, and the moment is never the same as it was or as it will be. Pavan enjoys making short films, listening to music, playing guitar, and jogging. He loves the community in the meditation club and truly connects with people there. It helps him feel less alone, and also provides insights about the world.

Adam Klem

Adam Klem is a senior studying Psychology who loves to listen to heavy metal music, hike with his dad, and talk about all things mind-related. To meditate, he likes to focus on the center of his forehead and the tingling sensation that grows with each breath. He does it because it helps him move out of overthinking and reactivity, and closer to intuition, mindfulness, and bodyfulness. Adam is most fascinated by sharing ideas with others and understanding how our experiences have shaped our view. There’s so much we don’t know about our mind and what’s happening inside of us! Outside of campus, Adam enjoys long conversations with others about spirituality and healing, as well as exploring his curiosity, deeply listening, and finding activities, groups, and ideas that resonate! In UMass meditation, he appreciates the collective curiosity and connection amongst each other. We all have so much in common and share a great dedication to knowing ourselves and helping this world.

Alex Turnberg

Alex is a sophomore 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.

Morgan Waterman

Morgan is a freshman studying Computer Science. They are happy gazing at the moon and existing openly with others — dropping expectations and pretenses and simply being. To meditate, they enjoy visualizations and guided meditations in groups. They also enjoy meditating with eyes open to see how even visual stimuli don’t need to dominate their attention. Morgan meditates both to feel calm and to observe the dynamics of their mind, and is fascinated most by biology for its endless variation, systems within systems, all working with and against each other. Outside of school, they enjoy spending time with people, listening to music, photographing nature and architecture, and playing the occasional video game. Morgan is inspired by the way the various contemplative communities at UMass interweave — they show the potential to grow into something that could make positive change here and elsewhere.

Esther Yen

Esther is a senior studying Spanish and Communications. She is happy when people draw from their own experiences to explain something to someone else. Her favorite way to meditate is in the form of dancing! She meditates because it often is the very thing that helps her return to the present moment in everyday life and it is always accessible. It also allows her to regulate her emotions to be the best possible version of herself. Esther is fascinated most by the blank slate that each day offers and the ability to add color to it by trying different things and expanding your daily repertoire. Outside of school and meditation, she enjoys traveling, making documentaries, hiking, and reading! Her favorite thing about UMass meditation is community! Everyone is someone you’ll find a lasting connection with and for that she’s grateful.

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.