There are a few places in the US that cultivate and develop boys to become gentlmen. This is one of them. A true diamond amongst the rough. The Tilden Study Center offers and features professional development, mentorship, spiritual and moral formation, camaderie, and brotherhood. The men inside are true gentlemen: intelligent, cultured, humble, sophisticated, respectful, and generous.
The center itself is located 5 min from UCLA. I started going in 2012, when a friend from class invited me to one of their Friday activites, which consisted of a meditation, dinner, and a talk from a UCLA professor on a variety of topics. From the 1st day, I fell in love.
The dinner was delicious and the talk was insightful. But the real gold was the meditation. The meditation challenged me, making me reflect on my character, weaknesses, and purpose as a son, brother, friend, student and member of my community. Week after week, I went to hear these incredible, thought-provoking meditations. I walked away feeling so refreshed; my mind was blown. Christian doctrine and Biblical passages were incorporated so brilliantly in each meditation. I continued going for 2 more years until I graduated.
The message was clear and simple: we are called to be saints in our ordinary lives. We must do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. We must love, forgive, befriend, serve, lead, listen. The wisdom and truth was further reinforced in other activities and events throughout each month, providing me with the foundation and values necessary to be the gentleman I've always wanted to be and the saint I am called to be.
I met some of my best friends through Tilden. I was taught professional skills and moral values which I had been searching for my whole life and which unfortuntely are not taught in school. TILDEN is one of the best things to happen to UCLA and the community. I had the privilege to assist in their high school leadership and development program. Tilden has my respect, support and admiration until I pass. read more
