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Spiritual Support
For some, religion and religious practices are a way to access spirituality; for others, spirituality is felt through connecting with their bodies or with nature. There are many ways to explore how we see ourselves and our connection to the world.
Here, you will find resources and supports to aid your spiritual journey.
Spiritual Gathering
Spirituality is understood as the beliefs and values that give direction to one's life, which allow a sense of meaning and purpose. Spirituality is not limited to organized religions or faith communities.
Western has several multifaith spaces available for both booking or drop-in on campus. Browse this comprehensive working list of all spiritual gathering spaces on campus.
If you have questions or concerns email us at wellness.edu@uwo.ca.
Bookable Spaces
The following space in the University Community Centre (UCC) is available by reservation only for spiritual gatherings.
Please fill in the form below to book this space (UCC 38B). Reservations must be made at least 3 business days in advance (excluding weekends and holidays) of a planned event.
Please read the guidelines for space use carefully.
The person or group who books the space is responsible for the physical state of the space and for making sure it is ready for the next reservation. This includes ensuring:
- Respecting the space capacity limit (UCC 38B = max. 40 people).
- Leaving the space at the allotted time of the ending of the booking. Ensuring the door is firmly shut after room use.
- Appropriate use and care of property in the room and the AV equipment, including logging-out of all applications.
- Furniture like tables and chairs are placed back as they were found.
- No materials or spiritual items are left out on surfaces or hung on walls.
- Kitchen items are cleaned; food items are disposed of in bins outside the room; food items not left in the fridge beyond your event.
- Western Student Experience is not responsible for any outside materials left in the rooms, including content in the storage shelves. Leave items at your own risk.
Questions? Contact wellness.edu@uwo.ca.
Drop-in Spaces
The following drop-in spaces are available for individual reflection or prayer.
- UCC 38A – (dedicated MSA Prayer Room)
- Middlesex College 15A – Code 1234*
- Thames Hall 3186 – Code 3636*
- Health Science Building 409 – Door is unlocked
- Claudette Mackay-Lassonde Pavilion (CMPL) Room 57, Faculty of Engineering – Code 0000*
- Elborn College 2560 – Door is unlocked
- Faculty of Education Building 2001 – Email education@uwo.ca to request code
- Natural Science Centre 108 – Code 2525*
- Kresge Building K7 – Code 2391*
- Richard Ivey Building, TA311 – Accessible to Ivey students, staff, faculty only
- The Reflection Room, King’s College 219 – Contact conferenceservices@kings.uwo.ca
- Christ the King Chapel, main floor of Wemple Hall – Contact campusministry@kings.uwo.ca
- The Collegiate Chapel of St. John the Evangelist, Muslim Prayer Room (right of chapel) – Contact martin@huron.uwo.ca
Spiritual Guides
Spiritual Guides serve the community of Western University, recognizing that students, staff, and faculty are navigating important questions about purpose, identity, belonging, values, and direction — all of which are central to spiritual wellbeing.
At Western, spiritual health is understood as an essential part of wellness, alongside mental, physical, emotional, and social health. Spiritual Guides are committed to creating inclusive, respectful, and welcoming spaces for all members of the campus community. Our care is available to individuals of all faith traditions, multiple faith identities, spiritual-but-not-religious perspectives, and those who are questioning, exploring, or do not identify with any particular belief system. The spiritual guides provide confidential, compassionate support and opportunities for reflection, dialogue, and connection. This support is not the same as mental health counselling support, but can work alongside. For mental health support, visit our For mental health support, visit our mental health services webpage.
Reach out if you want:
- Spiritual Guidance — One-on-one conversations to explore meaning, purpose, values etc
- Pastoral and Spiritual Care — Support during times of stress, grief, crisis, or personal challenge.
- Interfaith Dialogue — Facilitated conversations and initiatives that build understanding across religious, spiritual, and worldview differences.
- Religious and Spiritual Education — Workshops, discussions, and programs that support learning and growth
- Connection to Campus Religious and Spiritual Communities — Guidance in finding faith-based, spiritual, or contemplative groups aligned with your interests
List of Spiritual Guides
David Sisson
Hindu Spiritual Advisor
Email: dsisson@uwo.ca
Specializing in a mainly Hindu background, David provides advice on one’s next step forward in a spiritual light. Drawing from many faith traditions, David makes sure advice and assistance is tailored uniquely to each student’s needs.
Specializing in a mainly Hindu background, David provides advice on one’s next step forward in a spiritual light. Drawing from many faith traditions, David makes sure advice and assistance is tailored uniquely to each student’s needs.
Rick VanManen
Christian Spiritual Advisor
Email: rvanmane@uwo.ca
Rick has served as Campus Minister at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and Kosin University in South Korea. His interests include: the intersections between spirituality and the academic life; spiritual practices that lead to deeper connections with ourselves, one another, and the divine; and sharing our stories along the way.
Rick has served as Campus Minister at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and Kosin University in South Korea. His interests include: the intersections between spirituality and the academic life; spiritual practices that lead to deeper connections with ourselves, one another, and the divine; and sharing our stories along the way.