In preparation for some of his NBA games, DeAndre Jordan, a center on the New Orleans Pelicans and a current student at Brown, meditates for 10 to 15 minutes.
“That time, when I’m able to take a pause, kind of helps me regulate my system,” Jordan said in a Monday Q&A event hosted by the contemplative studies initiative.
During the event, which had around 60 students in attendance, Jordan discussed his relationship with meditation, from his personal practice to how he incorporates mindfulness in his basketball career.
Jordan attended Texas A&M University for one year before entering the 2008 NBA draft, where he was selected as a second-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Clippers. He has played in the NBA ever since.
While the NBA season was suspended during the pandemic, Jordan decided to go back to school.
Jordan said he “fell in love” with meditation prior to the pandemic. “Managing sports and family and personal life, it’s a roller coaster of emotions,” he said. “I needed to have something outside of sports, where I was able to take a break from DeAndre Jordan, and meditation really helped me with that.”
When he discovered the contemplative studies program at Brown, he thought, “this is exactly what I’m doing in my life already. Why not learn about it from the best people and peers that I possibly can?”
Harold Roth, a professor of religious studies and East Asian studies and the founding director of the contemplative studies initiative, first met Jordan after the academic advisor for the National Basketball Players Association put them in touch. After meeting Jordan, “I decided this guy’s really got something,” Roth said.
“Brown is a tough school to be able to balance with my job and then family life,” Jordan said. “It can be a roller coaster at times, but I do think that being able to … have meditation practice and take a pause when I feel overwhelmed really helps.”
Many students, including members of the men’s basketball team, asked Jordan questions related to his basketball career.
Jerrell Barron ’28, a guard on the men’s basketball team, is taking COST 0100: “Introduction to Contemplative Studies” this semester. During the event, Barron — who is currently recovering from a tumor removal surgery on his shoulder, as well as a foot injury — asked Jordan how contemplative studies can be utilized to help him find a sense of self during times he hasn’t been able to play basketball due to his injury.
Jordan shared how he uses meditation and spiritual practice while dealing with his own injuries. He tries to “focus all (of his) breath and energy” to his injured area to “visualize and manifest those ligaments healing themselves faster,” he said.
Jordan also acknowledged that it may be difficult to begin meditation for some people, and hopes “to be able to give everyone easier access and (a) bridge to meditation” in the future.
Barron said he found Jordan to be “very vulnerable and open to sharing his thoughts and his experiences with the contemplative studies” program, adding that he found the Q&A to be “really informative” and “a great experience.”
“I’ll take what he said to heart and try to apply it,” he added.
Charles Kohl ’29, who attended the event, is planning on concentrating in contemplative studies partly because of his “struggles” with high school basketball, he told The Herald. He said it was interesting to see how meditation and the practice of mindfulness are “applicable to any field.”
According to Joshua Gerber ’26, a Departmental Undergraduate Group leader for contemplative studies, the DUG has aimed to create events — such as the Q&A — to increase awareness about the contemplative studies program.
“Our community is strong, and it doesn’t matter how small we are,” said Kento Suzuki ’26, who is also a DUG leader for contemplative studies. “I think what matters is that our hearts are here and connected, and that we’re passionate about it.”
Attending Brown is a chance for students to “figure out your sense of your potential, your sense of how to live a life worth living … and a life in which you give to others and support others,” Roth said.
Rachel Wicker is a senior staff writer covering affinity and identity. She is from Athens, Georgia and plans on concentrating in English on the nonfiction track and International and Public Affairs. Outside of writing, she enjoys reading books of any genre and doing yoga.
Jeremiah Farr is a senior staff writer covering university hall and higher education.
