Quiet, Contemplative and Spiritual Places on Campus

Used weekly for Catholic Mass and Baha'i Devotions, as well as for interfaith services involving leaders from all the different faith groups. College ceremonies, concerts, lectures, weddings, the annual vespers concert, and special commemorations also take place in the Abbey Memorial Chapel. When not in use, please feel free to sit, pray, meditate or rest for a while.

The Abbey Interfaith Sanctuary is open to students of all faith backgrounds (and no faith as well) for reflection, journal writing, meditation, and walking the sacred labyrinth. Formerly a small Christian prayer chapel converted by students, staff, and faculty over a two-year period, Abbey Interfaith Sanctuary holds sacred objects and texts from the different faith groups represented on campus. Each week, Abbey Interfaith Sanctuary is filled with the words, songs, and shared silence of Mindfulness Meditation, the Unitatarian Universalists service and many informal visits by individuals and groups in search of a peaceful moment away from the busyness of everyday life.

MoAsis is a tranquil space where you can unplug, take a breath, and make time for a peace and stillness. There are two MoAsis spaces on campus. Both spaces are open when their respective buildings are open.

Right off the Torrey common room. This room offers a soothing water fountain, massage chair, meditation cushions, an iPad for guided meditation, soothing music, yoga mats and adult coloring books.

Room 313 in Blanchard Hall. This space features similar meditation cushions, soothing music/sounds, yoga mats and prayer space. It is centrally located at the heart of campus, making it easier to find time to stop by and recenter.

Home of the Botanic Garden's collection of non-hardy plants, the greenhouse is a peaceful space that is open to visitors.

The lakes offer peaceful places to sit and think or just listen to nature.

Wa-shin-an (“peace-mind-house”) is the Japanese garden and teahouse located on the top floor of Eliot House. It is a hidden jewel of beauty and serenity at the heart of Mount Holyoke’s campus.

During the academic year, Wa-shin-an is open to the campus community and the general public Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1-5 pm. Visitors are welcome to use the Japanese garden and teahouse for contemplative practices such as meditation, prayer, sketching, reading poetry and quiet sitting.

Please contact the caretaker of Wa-shin-an, Heath Atchley, for information about Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstrations and to arrange for private visits for classes and other interested groups.