SAC Counsellor, Hayden, explaining the steps of the grounding exercise.

Participants engaged with the lessons.

Participants Practising Meditation.

SAC Counsellor, Hayden, guides the meditation process by verbal prompts.

By UOW Malaysia 

The UOW Malaysia Student & Alumni Centre (SAC) at the Glenmarie Campus hosted the event “Being Present with Yourself” on June 20, 2023. Held in the Silent Room at the Students’ Accommodation, the event saw a successful turnout of 14 out of the 20 registered students. Registration for the event had opened a month prior through Google Forms.

The event aimed to educate students about mindfulness and equip them with practical tools for improving their present functioning and coping skills. Hayden served as the main organizer and course conductor, with support from SAC members Cindy, Myra, Yang, Halim, and Santiny, who assisted with logistics, setup, and clean-up. Students were encouraged to sit in a crossed-legged position for the meditation. However, they were free to adopt any postures they deemed comfortable.

Hayden initiated the event with a concise introduction to mindfulness, covering its definition, significance, key concepts of acceptance and non-resistance, and practical steps for its application. The event was structured into two components: theoretical, focusing on education and explanation, and practical, providing an opportunity for participants to apply their knowledge.

Students were introduced to foundational “grounding” exercises, focusing on their present experience for 5 minutes. They then engaged in a 10-minute meditation, managing their thoughts, and embracing acceptance for inner peace.

Upon the conclusion of the practical part, the event had reached its end, and a brief Q&A was conducted. The activity was a success and objectives were accomplished. The event ended with a group photo session to commemorate another milestone in their self-development.