Student Facilitator Practicum: Spring 2024

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.

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.

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.

Amanda Lookner

Amanda Lookner is a senior studying Public Health and Geography. Something that makes her happy is watching people recognize the precious humanity of others. She also likes picking chocolate chips out of chocolate chip muffins. She thinks it is more rewarding than just eating chocolate chips out of a bag. She likes to meditate lying down, and her favorite practices include metta meditation, and meditations that involve connecting with the physical body. What fascinates her the most about the world is how each person is whole and complete and sees the world completely differently, yet we all exist together and simultaneously. Also, that so many chocolate chip muffins don’t have a sufficient amount of chocolate chips in them. Outside of meditation club, she enjoys playing guitar, hiking, watching live music, journaling, leaving chocolate chip muffins chip-less, and being with her friends and family. Her favorite thing about UMass Meditation Club is the kind, accepting, unique community she has found here.

Roger Hauck

Roger Hauck is a sophomore studying Psychology, concentrating in Neuroscience. Something that makes him happy is playing water polo. His favorite way to meditate is silent, breath-focused meditation. He meditates to better serve his community. What fascinates him the most about the world is psychology and behavior change. Outside of Meditation Club, he enjoys playing water polo, swimming, and any kind of exercise. His favorite thing about UMass Meditation is the empathetic people here!

Beatrice Rogers

Beatrice Rogers is a sophomore studying Holistic Health. Her passions in personal development, commoning, mindfulness, psychedelic medicine, and herbalism makes her happy. Her favorite way to meditate is in a group! She meditates to strengthen her mind-body connection as well as to allow for deeper self-awareness. What fascinates her the most about the world are other people. Outside of Meditation Club, Beatrice loves to dance, eat delicious food, and spend time with friends. Her favorite thing about UMass Meditation has been learning about various contemplative practices in a group setting, and she really enjoys the community.

Anha Mehta

Anha Mehta is a junior studying Operations Information Management and Psychology. Some things that makes her happy is laughter, interesting problems, gardens, and art galleries. Her favorite way to meditate is outside in nature, especially during the warmer months of the year. She also enjoys metta meditation and “awe walks”. Anha meditates to be a better human! Through mindfulness, she strives to cultivate greater empathy, equanimity, gratitude and joy in her life. She also meditates to more acutely perceive and understand herself. She believes an apt understanding of her own being aids in her ability to connect with others and the world we live in. 3 things fascinate her the most about the world: 1. the future; 2. the wonders of nature; 3. the science of happiness. Outside of Meditation Club, she enjoys learning about new technologies, languages and cultures. She always has a bucket list of travel destinations in her back pocket. Her favorite thing about UMass Meditation Club is the warmth, authenticity, and lighthearted characteristics of the community.

Amber Madeiras

Amber Madeiras is a senior studying Natural Resources Conservation. Something that makes her happy is dancing – regardless of the situation or setting! The sound of laughter and good music makes her really happy too. Her favorite way to meditate is by just being and allowing all things to be, sitting with herself and life as it is. She also enjoys energy work. She meditates to remember there is a space of love behind all things that connects us all – meditation allows her to observe, remember, and live in that. What fascinates her the most about the world is that we are all here! And life is constantly happening! And we just happen with it! It is fascinating to her that the forces of life are constantly at work naturally. Outside of school, Amber enjoys being in nature, playing the bongos, striking up conversations with strangers, talking with plants, live music, and joyful connection with others. Her favorite thing about UMass Meditation Club is the beautiful space of love and awareness that has connected a group of really wonderful people. Building such a strong community and learning from one another how to be as we are has been a very special experience that she will always carry with her.

Matty Goodman

Matty Goodman is a senior studying Psychology and Sociology. Something that makes him happy is aimlessly wandering to find cool little spots. He loves spontaneous adventuring. His favorite way to meditate is in nature. He goes outside, sits comfortably, closes his eyes, and attunes only to the sounds around him. He meditates to promote his own self-awareness, and to ground himself amidst hectic times. Meditation reminds him that he is more than just what he acts on, earns and achieves. What fascinates him most about the world is people. He finds that everyone carries themselves with a wonderful uniqueness. He believes each person is one way the world knows itself, and he wants to know as much about the world as possible! Outside of school and Meditation Club, he enjoys talking with strangers, going on spontaneous adventures, discovering the world’s secret spots, exploring unknowns, aimlessly walking, loving life, drinking lots of water, questioning everything, laying down in the sun and going “ahhh”, explaining FNAF lore, forcing those with any smidgen of connection with him to watch Attack on Titan, and getting people to where they want to be. His favorite thing about UMass Meditation is the wonderful community. He has found that the club gives members a chance to know themselves and each other deeply, and he greatly appreciates having a space like this during such formative times as one’s college experiences.

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.