I belong to a wonderful on-line forum which aims to explore “the role of contemplative teaching and learning in higher education”. Over the last few days the Contemplative Pedagogy Network has been sharing our response to the question of a “definition of contemplative pedagogy/pedagogy”. My own contribution was this:
For me, the question “How do you define . ..” immediately highlights the key issue (or threshold concept perhaps): Conventionally, education, particularly in HE, has been about pinning down an idea or topic in definitions, theories and pre-defined practices. By contrast the key ingredient of Contemplative Practice (embracing mindfulness and reflective practices) is an intent to rise-above the need to define and pin things down. What sets contemplation apart from conventional pedagogy is that it is a state of mind beyond the rational. Thus, for me, what’s we’re interested in is anything that encourages and enables this ‘consciousness beyond the rational’ (which includes being able to integrate the different forms of mental activity). Unless this key point is acknowledged in our practice and interactions with others, contemplative pedagogy risks becoming yet another exercise in box-ticking conceptualisation. Or put another way . . . “How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?” Many other excellent contributions explored similar ideas along the lines that whilst our discussion on definitions can help us to understand each other perspective, contemplation is one of those ideas that cannot be pinned down in a set of words . . . and if we insist on trying to, we’ve missed the point . . . just as you’d fail totally to grasp a moonbeam in your hand. But we can allow that moonbeam, or piece of poetry, or feelings for someone going through a difficult time, to resonate with us. We can be present with it, enjoy the sensation. Isn’t a contemplative state of mind a key part of being a wise human . . . in any scenario or situation?
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Dr keith beasley
As an engineer turned life-guide and Quality Assurance expert who did his PhD on 'Transcending Thought', I've seen life from many perspectives. We need them all to even begin to make sense of life . . . ARTICLES LIST
DECEMBER 2022
2023: There's no going back... DECEMBER 2020 2021: Begin the new normal today! JUNE 2018 How to write a consciously evolved e-mail 6/6/18 MAY 2018 Web Presence 25/5/18 JANUARY 2018 Working with Meaning 19/1/18 Wake Up Calls 16/1/18 NOVEMBER 2017 Beyond Definitions 5/11/17 OCTOBER 2017 The Wisdom of Mental Health Awareness 27/10/17 Tuning In 26/10/17 Collaboration and Community 19/10/17 AUGUST 2017 From Know-lede to Know-ing (Part 1) 13/8/17 JUNE 2017 The Wisdom of Multi-tasking 30/6/17 Grasping the nuance of efficiency 08/6/17 MAY 2017 KISS in Education 12/5/17 Keep it Simple, Stupid! 12/5/17 APRIL 2017 Wisdom . . . at Work 24/4/2017 Reflection on Reflective Practice 21/4/2017 Engaging with Engagement 21/4/2017 |