Connect, discover and explore with Open Circle McMaster

Open Circle McMaster is a diverse and consensus-based community focused on providing opportunities for McMaster students to connect with their peers to discuss life, spiritual and broader societal issues.

Open Circle focuses on programming that offers safe space for graduate students to learn more about themselves and how to live their best lives.

Coming up in May

Mindful Habits for Authentic Living: A Becoming Yourself Series for grad students allows grad students to take a journey into living their best life now! The series begins on May 10 and open to all graduate students at no cost. 

Mindful Habits for Authentic Living is a series open to all graduate students at no cost. Explore

• following your authentic path in daily living;
• staying motivated and thriving as a grad student;
• leaving self-defeating opinions behind;
• making choices based on your own wisdom, values, and purpose;
• mindfulness and how it can deepen self-reflection.

Find support and deepen your understanding of who you really are and wake up to your authentic self within the pressures of graduate student life.

Series schedule 

The course will include four 1.5-hour workshops with interactive group exercises, community support of other graduate students, Becoming Yourself coach (at least one meeting with staff coach), and mindfulness and reflection exercises to complete for every session. Sessions take place on Tuesdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. 

• May 10
  • Discovering my personal daily rhythm
  • Mindful awareness in daily life
• May 24
  • Motivation with compassion instead of criticism
  • Empowerment and self-compassion practices
  • Affirming my gifts, qualities and capabilities, dealing with imposter syndrome
• June 7
  • What do I stand for? Finding courage to be myself and let go of comparison
  • Forming habits that support me in living fully alive
• June 21
  • Discovering my place in it all
  • Decision-making in alignment with purpose and values

Register to reserve your spot: Registration Form (new window) 

Sponsored by McMaster School of Graduate Studies and Student Open Circles.

Additional Open Circle programs available specifically for graduate students

• Personal Discovery Course for Graduate Students: A self-development course on values, goals, and living fully engaged. Watch for more information about the next course date,

Graduate students are welcome to be a part of the broader community programs open to all McMaster students:

• Reflection Circles are safe spaces to explore mindfulness, creative expression, and participate in open discussion. Dates and times vary.
• Community Volunteer Circles provide an opportunity to gain experience and make a difference in the Hamilton community, through volunteer placements.
• Grief Support Sharing Circles offer a safe space for students who are experiencing loss or anticipatory grief due to the death of a loved one.

As well, Open Circle provides spiritual companioning and various events and special groups throughout the year.

Visit the Open Circle McMaster website to get the latest information.