CLE Austin’s Spirituality Group
By Annabelle Axness, ILS Instructor, CLE Austin
This summer several students requested a group based on faith. For some of our students growing up, church was a weekly ritual that not only contributed to their relationship with faith but also was an outlet into the community. Church was deeply intertwined with family and personal growth while in high school. However, once moving to a new city and dealing with homework and sessions, religion was neglected. Other students requesting a faith group grew up without religion; as they started meeting new people from different backgrounds they became curious about diverse religions or wanted a starting point to become spiritual.
CLE Austin created a Spirituality Group to encourage this curiosity. The group worked to find commonality between differing beliefs, disproving stereotypes and enjoying in the celebrations of new religions. Because everyone in the group had a different religious background several group members were able to inform other students of their religion. This helped to recharge their own spirituality, becoming inspired to seek out new churches and bible studies in the Austin area.
While we learned about different religions, the students identified aspects that they hold important to their own faith. By looking beyond the scriptures, the students saw that at the core many differing religions provide the same benefits to the parishioners’ life. These positive outcomes from religion were the following: a dependable routine, sense of community, celebrations, and a time for self-reflection. The students agreed all these benefits were valuable to their overall wellness. Regardless of an individual’s spirituality, finding a routine, community, celebrations and self-reflection improves the complete well-being. They also agreed that these benefits could be replicated in their daily life.
Routine
Consistently attending a weekly service where a group of individuals participated in common rituals brings well-being to many. Those in the group that grew up in the church sought that weekly service. They took comfort in knowing every service would follow the same steps. When the students first moved away from home, CLE provided them with a routine that helped them adapt to the area. Over time they independently add new parts. The students now find routine in weekly gatherings with friends, chore charts, class groups and planned grocery shopping.
Community
The group defines community as a place where all are welcome. The sense of fellowship that the students felt during church and youth group now feels replicated here at CLE. CLE provides a place for them to talk freely with others who have similar attitudes, interests and goals. One student was proud to report that her community has expanded to her new job. Another has found another community through fellow writers at college.
Celebrations
Often it isn’t the celebration itself but the gathering of loved ones that makes celebrations so memorable. While learning about Eid-al-Fitr the group came together to create a popular Eid meal that none had heard prior, Sheer Khurma. Everyone stepped outside of their comfort zone creating this milk and date vermicelli pudding, whether by trying a new spice or improving their cooking skills. This shared experience brought them together and became the base for conversations to cultivate from. Celebrations do not need to be restricted to holidays. Gathering to celebrate the weekend, passing a difficult test or just to share a new recipe is always worthwhile!
Self-Reflection
Evaluating one’s decisions and hopes does not always have to be restricted to prayers. Whether it be journaling or talking with a trusted friend it is important to reflect and walk through not only the difficult aspects of life but also achievements. For the last Spiritualty Group the members practiced journaling with a focus on their personal growth and spiritual progress. At the end everyone wrote what they were most proud of from this summer. Too often we accomplish our task and move onto the next without taking the time to admire the achievement!
At CLE, we try to hold space for everyone. This means all differences, including faith. Our Spirituality Group has demonstrated that no matter our differences, we can find common ground and shared well-being.
