Self-Cultivation From East to West

A free exhibition from Monash University Library

Sir Louis Matheson Library, Clayton

Explore the origins of contemporary mindfulness and see how ancient wisdom still resonates today. This exhibition opens the doors to Monash University Library’s beautifully preserved Special Collections – from 17th‑century Tibetan manuscripts to 19th‑century Kashmiri scrolls – each one telling a story of humanity’s enduring search for meaning and inner calm.

Exhibition themes

Self-Cultivation from East to West traces how practices such as Yoga, meditation, Zen and Tibetan Buddhism traditions travelled across cultures to shape modern ideas of the inner self and wellbeing.

The exhibition is arranged into seven themes, listed below. Click on a theme below to learn more about it, or read about all seven themes.

Exhibition highlights

Discover

The Asian Special Collections

Visitor information

FREE ENTRY

LOCATION

The Gallery, ground floor, Sir Louis Matheson Library, Clayton.

The main entrance to the Matheson library on Clayton campus. The outside is two brown brick buildings with a glass entranceway inbetween.

Acknowledgements

This exhibition was proudly developed by Monash University Library.

CURATORS

  • Anne Holloway – Special Collections Curator
  • Helen Croaker – Special Collections Librarian
  • Kerri Klumpp – Special Collections Librarian

CURATORIAL ADVISOR
Dr. Chris Murray – Senior Lecturer, Literary Studies, School of Languages, Literature, Cultures and Linguistics

EXHIBITION DESIGN
Megan Atkins Studio
meganatkins.com

Curators Helen Croaker, Kerri Klump and Anne Holloway standing together in front of a bookshelf

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