Can Education Welcome in SOUL?
By Jill D. Bittinger
How long must we ignore the compelling question of “Soul” within the classroom?
Do we not already know of the arid zone of academics alone—dry of emotion and passion in the lonely desert of consciousness. As a planetary people, we have arrived at a point in which we are compelled to ask the deeper question.
Let’s begin by naming this fundamental question.
- The question of Consciousness. As Einstein says, “No problem can be solved by the consciousness that created it.” So then, how do we go about creating a new level of consciousness? One embracing enough to solve the formidable problems our world faces today. For those who find their way to it, how do they then instill such consciousness in others? Can education play a part in this important role? If so, in what way? This framework serves as the starting block for the race to our own survival.
For this discussion, we allow ourselves to cross the edgy path that brings us to the consideration of SOUL. Might we recognize that the problems we now face are in direct relation to a deep and lonely void that plagues folks round the world–the VOID of Soulfulness? A void that has driven us to the edge of unbridled materialism? To intense isolation, even a midst the slew of social media connections? And then, to the dire straits of the environmental crises we face today?
The crises we face are not only ecological, political and financial. Fundamentally, they are spiritual. As a world’s people, how do we turn this around in a lasting way? Church and State are to remain separate by law, and so many question even if religion would really hold the answers needed. Many have come to see the essential difference between religion that governs behavior from outside vs. an spiritually-driven inward Force. This Force is that which connects us to Soul.
So, how can we produce answers that are from a different state of consciousness than which they were born? My thesis: it is a process that requires us to realize we ARE Living Spirits–having a human experience!
In order to transform our consciousness as a people, thereby opening the way towards the transformation of our planet, Education is called to embrace the reality of the web of life that interlinks all living creatures upon this Garden Planet. It is the Web that we heal, or that we perish with. As the human beings within that web, we are unique in many astounding ways. The issue of our consciousness–that bridges to the Soul–that interlinks all life is the awareness at the critical juncture. Our use of Will directs us upon this harrowing path. Let’s be conscious of our use of it.
Schools are unique in that they are pervasive throughout the world and all hold the vitality of Youth within their walls. Are we inviting this vitality to thrive? Or squeezing the life right out of it? For it is these very Youth that can make the biggest impact in facilitating meaningful change for good. for Life. for Health. Through combining education and Service, we not only educate, we empower. But to activate authentic Service Learning Projects, we are called to inspire.
The World View from each progressive generations continues to morph dramatically as it is tied with the mind-boggling speed of change of technology. What World View are we teaching? Being victim to a reality spinning out of control? Or, empowered to become consciously aware and do something about it? How can we purposefully facilitate a positive direction?
Transformed Education aims to name and intentionally invite that view into a crystal clear perspective. It aims to support those already in that conversation, and action, and to weave together the community that takes seriously the intention to purposely cultivate conversation about the Soul. Your voice is welcome.
We know that academics alone become dry and empty upon the endless worksheets of the crafted curriculum, yet are challenged to answer “Why?” This is a difficult task because our system has required a mindset in which we’ve sought to reach the mind alone, so how do we think outside our self-imposed box? Pioneers help lead the way. Alternatives to traditional education are bubbling forth: Montessori, Waldorff, Project-Based or Arts-Based Schools, Creativity and Imagination-Based Schools—all reaching their way to something that honors the Living Spirit within. It is time for the Mainstream Public Schools to do the same.
The theoretical Framework of Transformed Education draws from several sources, two of which are specially highlighted and honored within this writing.
The first to mention is: Soul Power, by Anne Baring and Scilla Elworthy. A book to be fully appreciated in living color and available on Amazon. This powerful book speaks succinctly to the essence of the issues at hand.. and what is at stake, our humanity itself.
A closer look:
The authors call for a recognition of our spiritual realm, inviting us into an expanded consciousness that holds solutions to the problems of our times. This shift is one that unifies heart and head in which we recognize that ALL life is one and that each one of us participates in a cosmic life of immeasurable dimensions. (p.2) We are called to recover values that remind us we belong to a Greater Whole. We are called to step beyond the historical views that distort reality. We are invited to form New World Views that reconnect us with nature and with soul, restoring fragmentation to oneness through understanding our story as a Living Universe.
If we can recognize that we live in systems that hold power over us that keeps us based in fear, we can start to understand the root of the problem. In the field of Education, there is tremendous investment in patterns and products that do not encourage deeper questioning or thinking for oneself. The emphasis is on regurgitating back until it is tested, and can then be forgotten. So how do we illicit the creative and innovative thinking needed to transform the pressing world crises at hand?
We acknowledge our mistakes.
We admit that our schools of today were based on factory models meant to produce good workers, good rule followers, good check writers, good soldiers–people that know how to stand in line and do what they’re told, but don’t need to investigate deeply or think for themselves… at least not deeper then their regular feeding of celebrity news and consideration of which products to buy.
We admit that we are in a world where society identifies us as consumers, rarely ever hearing the word citizen any longer, nor invited to consider what that even means. If we do, it is often in the context of how to be a citizen of a country alone, rather than a world citizen. We admit to the cultivation of a concept of Patriotism to that country that is entitled to build mental, emotional and physical walls against its neighbors…. even rightfully entitled to kill them and to orphan their children should we feel just in terms of that country’s interests.
We admit that those patriotic interests are, in fact, based upon the financial benefit of a very few elite that have intentionally pulled the strings to orchestrate wars through many, many years of conflict–even, to financially benefit from both sides at the same time.
War is not the way. It is not the answer.
The jobs that the war economy supports are now at too great an expense to the common good. The old consciousness must be broken through.
What is the answer?
An intentional CONSCIOUS step up the Evolutionary Ladder!
There are steps in our evolutionary process through the years: Learning the value of the tribe compared to the one, Discovering Fire, The Wheel, Implementing Agriculture, The Written word, Math and Astronomy. Just as these historical moments marked times of unprecedented shifts, so too are we in a time calling for an unprecedented shift of consciousness.
So, how do we reawaken to the Sense of the Soul? A sense of the Sacred within each and every human being? How do we develop respect and compassion for all life on Earth? How do we heal the hurt?
We must understand that that order and harmony are the foundation of nature–and the foundation of the human soul. We must bring attention to the clear connections that are visible to the active investigator, inspired by curiosity and a sense of wonder in the Unity of all things. We must educate to cultivate this World View, and to nurture the process of finding one’s place within it. We must provide the framework to become transformative cells within a whole new consciousness on this earth! We must hear the call, and wake up and get to know Soul.
Excerpts from Soul Power and Mind Before Matter
The life we know is an excitation on the surface of an immeasurable sea of cosmic energy that is continually surging, dancing, flowing into being. In every galaxy, every star, every planet, every cell of our being the universe is bursting into existence from this womb or sea of being. What does this mean for us? It means that when we re in touch with this incredible idea, each one of us becomes co-creator with that mysterious process, at one with our starry source. (p. 34)
The meaning and purpose of life is to be discovered neither through faith nor through accumulating knowledge about the known world, but through inward transformation and the development of the eye of the heart. (p. 35)
Opening the Eye of the Heart requires practice, patience and trust to bring it into being. When we are prepared to become but a humble servant of life, devoted to caring for it and healing it, we become free from all fear. We are then able to resonate with life, harmoniously and ecstatically. (p. 36)
The authors see that such a shift in consciousness would result in a new world view in which we understand and honor that all aspects of life are interconnected and interdependent, act in defense of nature, pressure governments to make the needed changes and come from humble stewardship in a movement towards ethical technology that does not injure the planet.
Suppose we dared to tell our children from earliest childhood about the Web of Life, describing it as something that they belong to, participate in, so that they could attune their awareness to it, could learn how to listen to it, converse with it and develop a deepening relationship with it. Suppose parents and teachers told children that each one of them has a special gift, and that they can learn how to nourish and express that gift to the best of their ability. Suppose they told them that education is about how to develop wisdom and insight, in order to enjoy making a living. And that each one is unique and beloved, with the possibility of equal access to the source. (p.42)
In conclusion, we see that there is an imperative calling to address the role of Soul within Education. It provides for us the feeling of connection with one another, and with the planet, that can help to cultivate the necessity for continued care and stewardship, evolutionary growth and the joy in the gift of being alive.
It comes down to this. Thinking we are the most intelligent, the most evolved life form thrown up by a foaming, mechanical universe, we commune only with ourselves and keep the cold world at bay.
But if we were to open to a wold in which we recognized the blazing intelligence of the cosmic womb that birthed us and everything we see around us, if we began to glimpse the scale and scope of her project and the depth of love that underwrites it, we would turn and face this mysterious world…..
We would build up commerce with it until contact deepened into communion, and communion is a sacramental exchange that transforms both parties. With this pivot, history would turn. We would begin to value and cultivate the skills of alignment. We would begin to recognize the symptoms of misalignment in individuals, in institutions and ideologies.
Christopher Bache, Mind Before Matter, p. 279
Sources:
Anne Baring and Scilla Elworthy. Soul Power. BookSurge. 2009
Mind before Matter: Visions of a New Science of Consciousness. O Books, Ropley, Hamphsire, 2008
You can explore further about our Vision and Mission on the About Us webpage. Your contributions might help make this movement all it can be!