Ponder: A Multifaith Interactive Exhibit
What is Ponder?
Ponder is a multifaith interactive experience for the curious. It is an invitation to use your senses to engage in practices and experience artifacts and rituals from religious and philosophical traditions: Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, and Protestant.
Why?
An embodied understanding of different rituals, practices, and tenets of other traditions is an important component to engaging other ways of being. We wanted to offer an opportunity to learn and create with that goal in mind. Also, our interaction with spaces and objects outside our homes has been limited this past year – we wanted to offer a new sensory experience to those interested.
What happens when I arrive?
You will be met by a greeter who will direct you to sanitizer, rest rooms, and answer any questions. You’ll head up to the Interfaith Center’s main gathering space, and choose an empty station. You are free to move around the stations during your time there. Your time is not limited, but we will monitor the space and flow of people for maximum health and safety caution. Stations will included making prayer beads, walking a labyrinth, lighting a candle, and a self-guided meditation. There is no limit to that amount of time you can stay, but we will ask that you be considerate of fellow participants and their wishes to explore.
Where is it?
You can arrive at the Interfaith Center on Winthrop Street (across from Breed Memorial Hall) any time during open hours. The Interfaith Center is accessible, and we welcome you to explore it. Do we want a registration form?
How do I sign up?
Upon arrival, a greeter will note the time you arrived, and ask for your name and email. The open hours are Tuesday, and Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. until May 5, 2021. We estimate it will take about one hour to participate in each station. You can reserve a day and time through the form at the end of this FAQ.
Does Ponder adhere to Covid-19 health and safety guidance?
Ponder has been approved as an in-person program. The Interfaith Center can be open to Tufts community members, and meets the highest standards of covid safety at Tufts. No more than 10 people will be gathered at the same time, and stations are regularly sanitized. Anyone in the building will be wearing a mask, and practicing social distancing when not at a station. Stations are limited to two people, and masks must be worn when seated at a table.
Can I come with friends?
You are welcome to bring your community members. Please just note that we cannot allow groups larger than 10 in the meeting room at the same time. If you are interested in reserving the space for your group, please contact program manager Nora Bond (nora.bond@tufts.edu).
How do I ask more questions and give feedback?
Greeters will be there to answer questions during your visit. If you have questions beforehand, please email program manager Nora Bond. There will be an opportunity to give feedback via a form in the exhibit.
