Lycoming College freshmen study meditation in “Zen and Art” course
During the Fall semester of 2020, the first-year seminar, “Zen and Art,” was offered to incoming freshmen. Created and taught by Howard Tran, professor of art and chair of the department at Lycoming College, the course provides students with an introduction to Zen philosophy, and teaches them about meditation to better their psychological structure as they embark on a bachelor’s degree.
Tran created this seminar with the intention of going beyond regular instruction of spiritual philosophy and applying it to practical and real-life endeavors. “This course combines the Buddhist culture of my youth and my dedication as an artist. I find art and Zen to be similar a search for truth. Meditating and creating art are spiritual processes that can lead to finding one’s true nature/true self,” he said.