Soulful Education

[Rob]

I'm sure some of you have read the quote below:

"At all levels of education currently we tend to provide for the mind and, to some extent, for the body, but little for the soul. An education in soul would include preparation for marriage, illness, a life work, making a home, raising children, contributing to society, dealing with emotional and relational issues, and developing a spiritual sensibility. Rather than creating an entirely new curriculum, it would involve studying any subject for its contributions to meaning, values, and vision. It would also be sensitive to the poetic, symbolic, metaphoric, and ritual aspects of life through a deep understanding of the arts and spiritual traditions. It would culture a person, give him depth, and prepare her for citizenship, leadership, and a rich life."

As a teacher, I'd enjoy discussing this subject further. And, though it's a couple of months away, if anyone can attend the event at Elon University, in North Carolina, on April 23rd, please share any podcasts, notes or feelings about it with us, won't you?

With thanks,
Rob

[Barque]

Hi Rob,
I teach at a community college and mindfully explore ways to include "meaning, values and vision" in my courses -- more "head and heart" interaction rather than just a brain-dump for entry level students. The college's programs are interntionally geared to help students "get a job" so response to this expanded approach is mixed.

Our current economic downturn offers opportunities to explore how desparation and appreciation will help to reimagine the future. The premier of Ontario recently received a major report stating the province had to become more creative, more artistic, more community focused for a new economic model of sustainability. A newspaper today reported the decline of artists' incomes over the last few years.

Thanks for inviting members to share reports of Moore's appearance at Elon University in April. Links to the December 2008 Anitioch University talk are at Barque: Thomas Moore's Work.

[Rob]

Hi, and let me say that again, I can only concur with what you've written. I also teach at a community college that values "knowledge education". A mention of soul brings secular frowns that reflect a distaste for dogma. That's always been one of my challenges; explaining soul to people before I talk about Thomas Moore's work and the importance of soulful living. It's ironic that I should struggle to describe what soul means to me since it's at the core of Thomas' work! Then again, it's an elusive portrait to capture, and sometimes it's best to go at without definitions and descriptions, I believe.

As you indicated, artists and storytellers become especially valuable to a community when that community is somehow broken. We need imagination and soul to lift us out of despair or help us explore our identity now that we're without a job, living on the edge, doing without. Our steely towers have lost their luster now that the rotten insides have been exposed to us. And we must face that part of ourselves that has perpetuated the corruption we can no longer deny.

As the bumper sticker says: Art saves lives!

All the best with your soulful teaching, Dear Colleague!