ABSTRACT
We live in times of increasing stress in the academy for students, faculty, and staff alike. While the pressures of neoliberalism are to blame for many of our ills, issues of meaning (or the lack thereof) are a crucial and often neglected component of wellbeing. In this chapter, I discuss my own experiences integrating the contemplative practice of yoga to address issues of meaning, wellbeing, and self-care for myself, my colleagues, and my students. The image of Namaste is an anchor and focus for this exploration. Ultimately, this chapter is a call for university faculty and staff to find deeper meaning in their lives, to integrate the different dimensions of their selves, and to take ownership over their lives’ journeys. Therefore, it is upon all of us in academia to work on ourselves and light the path to a more humane, mature, and uplifting university life.
