College campuses are ecosystems that satisfy the human needs of the students, researchers, and faculty that dwell within. The experience at a university pose as a pivotal time in person’s life to shape their intellectual and spiritual psyche on their own initiative. A modern college campus must provide spaces for students to engage in this experience. Spaces that do not influence or foster a denomination, but rather individual spirituality. The distinguish between religion and spirituality is paramount.
Recent literature and studies display the relationship between spirituality and leadership development at the college level. OU plans to foster greater cultural diversity in changing higher education and establishing mechanisms for pursuing new activities. One example provided was to increase the linkage with private foundations, specifically ones that seek to improve the human condition.
There is a need for a space to demonstrate that the university, especially being public, is a welcoming environment. These insights led to an exploration of the following question: “What is the common thread of spiritual practice?” The answer is obviously not a clear, simple, and singular one.
This spiritual environment will foster the pilgrimage of spiritual exploration. The design will not contain organized religious imagery but rather aim to portray the nondenominational thread of spirituality. This thread is entrenched in the journey.
Through critical thinking processes and study of various precedents, a catalog of experiences is developed. The path of the user is documented by patching a collection of strategized experiences. Along this journey, a user will see and then seek in search of understanding and enlightenment. Integrated into this pilgrimage will be a moment for reflection, emerging from the sea of fog while maintaining the ability to retrospect and gain even further spiritual insight from the journey endured.
