| Holistic Education Network ... |
"What transforms
education, is a |
| The spiritual poverty of much contemporary education provides few
opportunities for today's youth to quench their deep thirst for meaning and wholeness.
Misguided, or unconscious attempts by students to attain some sense of fulfilment often
result in varying degrees of addictive behaviour toward activities, substances or
relationships - all of which make teaching and learning difficult, if not impossible. Compulsive or reckless activity, substance abuse, and empty sexuality can result from students trying to escape the pain of an inner emptiness. In the classroom this can manifest as lack of interest, lack of self-worth, lack of compassion, lack of self-discipline and lack of spirit. A more 'soulful' education seeks to open the mind, warm the heart and awaken the spirit of each student. It would provide opportunities for students to be creative, contemplative, and imaginative. It allows time to tell old and new stories of heroes, ideals and transformation. It encourage students to go deep into themselves, into nature, and into human affairs. It values service to others and the planet. A spiritualised curriculum values physical, mental and spiritual knowledge and skills. It presents knowledge within cultural and temporal contexts, rather than as facts to be memorised or dogma to be followed. It is integrative across all disciplines emphasising inter-relationship and inter-connectedness. It challenges students to find their own place in space and time, and to reach for the highest aspirations of the human spirit.
|
Last Update January 30, 2005