Spring 2021 Chaplain Interview Series: Hindu Advisor Dr. Preeta Banerjee

Tufts University Chaplaincy

30 Apr 202108:37

Summary

TLDRIn this interview, Dr. Preeta Banerjee, a Hindu chaplain at Tufts University, shares her journey from a business school professor to a spiritual advisor. She emphasizes the importance of breath, connection with nature, and the diversity within Hinduism. Dr. Banerjee discusses the significance of pastoral care, aiming to embrace diversity and find common ground among different faiths. She also shares her memorable experiences, including interfaith events and her love for travel, martial arts, and art.

Takeaways

😀 Dr. Preeta Banerjee is a Hindu advisor and chaplain at Tufts University, who was born and brought up in the United States as the daughter of immigrants.
🎓 She pursued a career in business, earning a PhD from Wharton and becoming a business school professor and corporate executive before transitioning to chaplaincy.
🌿 Dr. Banerjee emphasizes the importance of breath and connecting with nature, drawing from the Hindu concept of the elements and the importance of community.
🙏 She describes pastoral care as being present with individuals, acknowledging the diversity within Hinduism, and supporting people in exploring their beliefs.
🌟 Dr. Banerjee wishes for the chaplaincy at Tufts to foster an environment where individuals can embrace their complexities and diversities without tension.
🕊 She had a memorable experience during the one-year anniversary of a significant event, which involved interfaith celebration and appreciation.
🎤 Outside of her chaplaincy work, Dr. Banerjee enjoys singing, martial arts, and has a black belt in taekwondo.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 She is a mother of two young children and enjoys activities like tickle contests and exploring various forms of art.
✈️ Dr. Banerjee has traveled extensively, making friends around the world, with a recent memorable trip to Melbourne, Australia.
🔥 She has been in touch with friends from Australia, offering support during significant events such as the bushfires, highlighting the importance of global unity.

Q & A

What was Dr. Prieta Banerjee's background before becoming a chaplain?
-Dr. Prieta Banerjee grew up in the Midwest, born and brought up in the United States as the daughter of immigrants. She pursued a PhD at Wharton and became a business school professor and corporate executive before realizing her passion for service in accompaniment, friendship, making meaning, and building community.
Why did Dr. Banerjee decide to change her career to chaplaincy?
-Dr. Banerjee felt her service was more about accompaniment, helping make meaning, and building community, which she felt were lacking in her previous roles. She wanted to become what she needed and saw a need for in the world.
What is one ritual practice that Dr. Banerjee finds important?
-Dr. Banerjee emphasizes the importance of breath and grounding in the knowledge of Mother Earth, known as 'Bhoomi Mata'. She also mentions extending arms like trees to connect with the elements of water, earth, fire, air, and ether.
How does Dr. Banerjee describe pastoral care?
-Pastoral care for Dr. Banerjee means being present with the person or people she is with, exploring what it means to be with them in their diversity, and recognizing that diversity as a strength, especially in a world that is trying to embrace complexity.
What does Dr. Banerjee wish more students knew about pastoral care?
-Dr. Banerjee wishes more students knew that Hinduism is not a monolith and that there are many ways to be Hindu. She encourages students to embrace their complexities and diversities and to find beauty in the and, not just the or.
What is Dr. Banerjee's vision for the future of the Tufts University chaplaincy?
-Dr. Banerjee envisions a future where everyone at Tufts University can lean into their complexities and diversities, embracing practices from different faiths and finding ways to coexist and practice together without tension.
What was Dr. Banerjee's most memorable moment as a chaplain at Tufts?
-Dr. Banerjee's most memorable moment was the interfaith celebration and appreciation during the one-year anniversary of a significant event, which was a powerful experience of community and grief.
What are some of Dr. Banerjee's hobbies or interests outside of chaplaincy?
-Dr. Banerjee enjoys singing, is a black belt in taekwondo, loves art in any form, and has a fondness for travel and making friends around the world.
What is a fun fact about Dr. Banerjee's travel experiences?
-Dr. Banerjee has traveled to many places and has made lasting friendships through chance encounters in different countries. One of her most recent and memorable trips was to Melbourne, Australia, where she made best friends and stayed in touch, even supporting them during the fires that occurred there.
How does Dr. Banerjee feel about the role of interfaith events at Tufts?
-Dr. Banerjee appreciates the role of interfaith events at Tufts, as they provide a grounded space for community members to come together, think about significant events, and process them in an open and collective way.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Journey to Chaplaincy and Personal Practices

In the first paragraph, Dr. Preeta Banerjee, a Hindu advisor and chaplain at Tufts University, shares her background as an immigrant's daughter and her initial pursuit of a career in business, which led her to earn a PhD from Wharton and become a business school professor and corporate executive. However, she felt a stronger pull towards service in the form of accompaniment, friendship, and community building, which led her to her current role. She emphasizes the importance of breath and connecting with nature as part of her ritual practices. The conversation also touches on the diversity within Hinduism and the role of pastoral care in embracing this diversity and supporting individuals in their spiritual journeys.

05:01

🌈 Vision for Tufts Chaplaincy and Memorable Experiences

In the second paragraph, Dr. Banerjee expresses her vision for the future of the Tufts University chaplaincy, which includes fostering an environment where individuals can embrace their complexities and diversities without tension. She hopes to see a community that practices together and finds bliss in their shared experiences. Reflecting on her first year as a chaplain, she shares a memorable moment of grief and loss at the one-year anniversary of a significant event, which was a powerful experience of community and interfaith celebration. She also shares personal interests and hobbies, such as singing, martial arts, art, and traveling, highlighting her love for exploration and connection with people around the world. Her most recent and cherished travel memory is of Melbourne, Australia, where she formed lasting friendships and experienced a deep sense of community and support.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Chaplain

A chaplain is a religious leader who provides spiritual care and guidance, often within specific institutions such as universities, hospitals, or the military. In the context of the video, Dr. Prieta Banerjee serves as a chaplain at Tufts University, offering support and accompaniment to students and staff. Her role is to help individuals explore their spirituality and navigate life's challenges, as seen when she discusses her service and the importance of pastoral care.

💡Spiritual Care

Spiritual care refers to the support provided to individuals in exploring and nurturing their spiritual well-being, often in times of stress or crisis. Dr. Banerjee's work as a chaplain involves offering spiritual care, which she describes as being present with individuals and helping them find meaning and build community. This is exemplified when she talks about her role in supporting students through grief and loss.

💡Diversity

Diversity encompasses the variety of different cultures, beliefs, and experiences present within a community. Dr. Banerjee emphasizes the diversity within Hinduism and the importance of recognizing and valuing this diversity. She encourages an environment where different religious practices and beliefs can coexist, reflecting the broader theme of the video which is about inclusion and understanding.

💡Pastoral Care

Pastoral care is a form of spiritual and emotional support provided by religious leaders, often in a counseling capacity. In the video, Dr. Banerjee describes pastoral care as being present with individuals and communities, helping them navigate their spiritual journeys. She wishes for more students to understand that pastoral care is about accompaniment and support, not just religious instruction.

💡Immigrant Experience

The immigrant experience refers to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by individuals who move to a new country. Dr. Banerjee shares her background as the daughter of immigrants and how this influenced her path to chaplaincy. Her story illustrates the balance between pursuing economic stability and maintaining cultural and spiritual connections, which is a common theme among immigrant communities.

💡Ritual Practice

Ritual practices are customary actions or ceremonies that hold personal or spiritual significance. Dr. Banerjee mentions her personal ritual of grounding in nature and connecting with the elements, which is a form of spiritual practice. This practice is important to her and reflects the broader theme of the video, which is about finding personal meaning and connection through spiritual practices.

💡Interfaith

Interfaith refers to interactions and cooperation between people of different religious beliefs. The video script mentions an interfaith celebration, indicating a coming together of diverse faiths to appreciate and learn from one another. Dr. Banerjee's work as a chaplain involves fostering interfaith understanding and cooperation, which is crucial in a diverse university setting.

💡Grief and Loss

Grief and loss are emotional responses to the end of a cherished relationship or the absence of something significant. Dr. Banerjee discusses a powerful moment of grief and loss at Tufts University, highlighting the importance of communal support and processing during such times. This theme is central to the video, as it underscores the role of chaplains in providing comfort and guidance in times of sorrow.

💡Community Building

Community building involves the process of creating connections and fostering a sense of belonging among individuals. Dr. Banerjee's work as a chaplain is focused on building community, which she sees as essential for supporting individuals and promoting a sense of belonging. This is evident when she talks about her desire for students to embrace their complexities and diversities within the Tufts community.

💡Personal Identity

Personal identity refers to the individual's sense of self, including aspects such as beliefs, values, and experiences. The video script touches on the theme of personal identity, particularly in relation to Dr. Banerjee's journey from a business executive to a chaplain. Her story illustrates the importance of aligning one's career and life choices with their personal values and identity.

💡Cultural Exchange

Cultural exchange is the sharing of ideas, customs, and traditions between different cultures. Dr. Banerjee mentions her love for travel and the friendships she has formed through chance encounters in different countries. This reflects the broader theme of the video, which is about the value of cultural exchange and the enrichment it brings to personal and professional life.

Highlights

Dr. Prieta Banerjee shares her journey from being a business school professor and corporate executive to becoming a chaplain at Tufts University.

Dr. Banerjee discusses the importance of service and how it was intertwined with her immigrant background.

She explains her realization that her true calling was in accompaniment, making meaning, and building community.

Dr. Banerjee emphasizes the significance of breath and connecting with nature as a ritual practice.

She describes pastoral care as being present with individuals, acknowledging the diversity within Hinduism.

Dr. Banerjee highlights the importance of recognizing Hinduism's diversity and the strength it brings.

She shares her vision for the future of Tufts University chaplaincy, encouraging interfaith understanding and coexistence.

Dr. Banerjee reflects on a memorable moment of grief and loss at the one-year anniversary event.

She talks about the power of being in community and processing emotions during interfaith celebrations.

Dr. Banerjee shares fun facts about herself, including her love for singing, being a martial artist, and her travels.

She expresses her fondness for Melbourne, Australia, and the meaningful friendships she formed there.

Dr. Banerjee discusses the impact of global events, such as the Australian fires, on her personal connections.

She shares her hope for global unity in the face of collective experiences.

The interview concludes with Dr. Banerjee looking forward to future connections and collaborations.