The Well

Here is a brief brainstorm idea I have for the Well at USC. Jim Burklo, Associate Dean of Religious Services and I have been working hard to create a good idea for promoting WELLness at Keck.

THE WELL at the USC Health Sciences Campus

Once a week, at noon in the HSC quad, a big tent unfolds - open on all sides for anyone on campus to visit.
It's a 100% participatory, 100% accepting, 100% free, 100% non-institutional, 100% non-competitive environment where people can come - to be and to become "well".

Often, a student or staffer is playing instrumental music inside the tent next to "The Well" - an artistically-represented hole into which anybody can drop a wish, a prayer, a poem, a thought written on slips of paper that are provided. People can reach into the well and pull out the slips and read them, and put them back in.... for inspiration, for solidarity with the feelings and expressions of others.

Inside the tent, people sit on bean bags and there are warm blankets to sit under when its cold out.

During flu season, wheat-grass loaded juices are given away for free. Perhaps, with an accompanying flu shot even!

Sometimes with advanced notice, people can use the Well to hold select meetings: writing groups, student therapy session, prayer circles, anything that is contingent on utilizing the positive energy given off at the Well.

Herbal teas and other drinks are offered for free in the tent.

There are yoga mats on the pavement under the tent, and visitors - students, staff, professors, doctors, patients - come by to do yoga positions or just meditate for as long as they want. As well as having yoga mats, there are yoga balls scattered around for those that want awakening deep back stretches.

Sometimes, there are tables with materials for doing artwork - drawing, or calligraphy, or sculpture.

Sometimes, there are masseuses and massage tables inside the tent - offering massages for free.

Sometimes, there are cooking demonstrations about how harried health science students can make healthy, tasty, quick meals. With tastings, of course!

There is a computer in the tent that enables visitors to download onto their IPods special music, guided meditations, etc, for mellowing out their day.

Sometimes free manicures and pedicures and makeovers are offered in the tent.

Sometimes there are fencing, aikido, or tae kwon do lessons offered in the tent.

Sometimes there are free tango and salsa dance lessons happening in the tent.

Often, people are giving away stuff and offering their talents for free in The Well - nothing is bought or sold in it.... it's a place to freely give and receive.

It's a place for spontaneous sharing, serendipitous conviviality, and random acts of kindness and senseless beauty.

May all beings at USC/HSC be well!