Science Education
and Spiritual Transformation Workshop
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Science Education
and Spiritual Transformation Workshop at THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR SPIRITUALITY IN EDUCATION, Oct. 26, 2024, Columbia University |
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Based on the book by the same name ...
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Intended audience: Teachers, Post-Secondary Students, Spiritual Healers.
Instructor: John Bickart, Ph.D.
Prerequisites: none
Web Page: https://www.bickart.org/
Recommended Reading: The Next Version of You, Bickart's Just-in-Time Fables, 20 Opportunities to Transform Yourself While Teaching, Science Education and Spiritual Transformation
Workshop Abstract:
Science education is like making friends because you form relationships with whatever you study. And just like a relationship with a good friend, it can be spiritually transformative. What is a spiritual relationship? It is one that is more about giving than receiving - where you truly care about someone or something - one that transforms into genuine friendship with the world around you, with nature.
Workshop Objectives:
2.The Scientific Method [Galileo’s historic attempt to bring new ideas based on PHYSICAL evidence vs our current need to bring new ideas based on SPIRITUAL evidence.]
3.The Test of a Real Scientist [Good Science = Good Observation!]
Instructor: John Bickart, Ph.D.
Prerequisites: none
Web Page: https://www.bickart.org/
Recommended Reading: The Next Version of You, Bickart's Just-in-Time Fables, 20 Opportunities to Transform Yourself While Teaching, Science Education and Spiritual Transformation
Workshop Abstract:
Science education is like making friends because you form relationships with whatever you study. And just like a relationship with a good friend, it can be spiritually transformative. What is a spiritual relationship? It is one that is more about giving than receiving - where you truly care about someone or something - one that transforms into genuine friendship with the world around you, with nature.
Workshop Objectives:
- Participants without any science background will be able to appreciate an overview of 20 Actual Science Lessons from a little over 50 years of teaching. Each lesson relates the world of nature to the spiritual core of the student. This comes from a book I will publish soon.
- Participants will be able to conduct 3 of the 20 lessons on their own after participating in a live demonstration of:
2.The Scientific Method [Galileo’s historic attempt to bring new ideas based on PHYSICAL evidence vs our current need to bring new ideas based on SPIRITUAL evidence.]
3.The Test of a Real Scientist [Good Science = Good Observation!]
Bios for the Workshop:
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John Bickart, Ph.D.
John likes to work in the background and let good ideas speak for themselves. He believes that children, and sometimes adults, know what they want and that they empower themselves when they listen to their hearts. In the 80s and 90s, he consulted on adult education in the corporate world to Fortune 500 companies. Since then, he has taught every age group from pre-school to adult and every type of student from emotionally disturbed to gifted in public and private schools as well as state prisons. He has taught in Shanghai to Peewaukie - New York City to San Francisco. John is all about heart thought - experiencing the fun - the deep joy - of finding relationship with this incredible world of ours. He is passionately grateful for the wonders of nature, including humankind. He considers just about everyone he meets as a friend. Recent Books:
Recent articles published in the The Collaborative for Spirituality in Education Blog, Columbia University Teachers College, Holistic Education Review: |
Recent Workshops:
Bickart, J. (2018). The next version of you: 12 stories that highlight the use of intuition to update your life.
Bickart, J. (2020a). Bickart’s Just-in-Time Fables (Vol. 1). Asheville, NC: Red Shirt Interactive Group.
Bickart, J. (2020b). Bickart’s Just-in-Time Fables (Vol. 2). Asheville, NC: Red Shirt Interactive Group.
Bickart, J. (2020c). Bickart’s Just-in-Time Fables (Vol. 3). Asheville, NC: Red Shirt Interactive Group.
Bickart, J. (2022). 20 Opportunities to Transform Yourself While Teaching. Asheville, NC: Red Shirt Interactive Group.
Chopra, D. (2021). METAHUMAN : unleashing your infinite potential. [S.l.]: HARMONY CROWN.
Chopra, D., Ford, D., & Williamson, M. (2010). The shadow effect: Illuminating the hidden power of your true self. New York: HarperOne.
Darling-Hammond, L. (2010). The flat world and education: how America's commitment to equity will determine our future. New York: Teachers College Press.
Dewey, J. (1910). How we think. Boston: D.C. Heath & Co.
Dewey, J. (1916/2005). Democracy and education: An introduction to the philosophy of education. New York: Cosimo Classics.
Dintersmith, T. (2018). What school could be : insights and inspiration from teachers across America.
Dispenza, J. (2017). Becoming supernatural: how common people are doing the uncommon. Carlsbad: Hay House.
Dispenza, J., & Boyce, A. (2016). You Are the Placebo. [United States]: Author's Republic : Made available through hoopla.
Dispenza, J., Knight, J. Z., & Encephalon, L. L. C. (2005). Mastering the art of observation. Rainier, WA: Encephalon.
Goleman, D., & Boutsikaris, D. (2006). Social intelligence the new science of human relationships. New York: Audio Renaissance.
Goleman, D., & Senge, P. M. (2007). Working with presence. New York: Audio Renaissance.
Goleman, D., & Whitener, B. (2005). Emotional intelligence. Prince Frederick, MD: Landmark Audiobooks.
González, J. M., & Darling-Hammond, L. (1997). New concepts for new challenges: Professional development for teachers of immigrant youth. [Washington, D.C.], McHenry, IL: Center for Applied Linguistics ; Delta Systems Co.
Gurwitz, A. S., Darling-Hammond, L., Pease, S. R., Education., U. S. D. o., & Corporation., R. (1981). Maintenance of effort provisions: An instrument of federalism in education. Santa Monica, CA: Rand Corp.
Haggstrom, G. W., Darling-Hammond, L., Grissmer, D. W., & Center for the Study of the Teaching Profession (Rand Corporation). (1988). Assessing teacher supply and demand. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, Center for the Study of the Teaching Profession.
Harari, Y. N. P. D. O. I. (2017). Sapiens.
Hart, T. (2001). From information to transformation: Education for the evolution of consciousness. New York: P. Lang.
Hart, T. (2010). The secret spiritual world of children the breakthrough discovery that profoundly alters our conventional view of children's mystical experiences. [S.l.]: New World Library.
Hart, T. (2014a). The four virtues : presence, heart, wisdom, creation. New York: Atria Books/Beyond Words.
Hart, T. (2014b). The integrative mind : transformative education for a world on fire.
Keltner, D. (2009). Born to be good : the science of a meaningful life (1st ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Co. New York.
Keltner, D. (2023). Awe : the new science of everyday wonder and how it can transform your life. New York: Penguin Press New York.
Koppich, J., Merseth, K. K., Darling-Hammond, L., American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education., & National Commission on Teaching & America's Future (U.S.). (2000). Studies of excellence in teacher education: Preparation in a five-year program. Washington, DC: AACTE Publications.
Kuhn, T. S. (2004). The structure of scientific revolutions. Chicago [u.a.]: Univ. of Chicago Press.
Lantieri, L. (2008). Building inner resilience. Reclaiming Children and Youth, 17(2), 43-46.
Laozi, D. R. A. C. J. (2005/circa 500 BC). Tao te ching : a new translation & commentary. New York: Barnes & Noble.
Lipton, B. H. (2005). The biology of belief: Unleashing the power of consciousness, matter and miracles. Santa Rosa, CA: Mountain of Love/Elite Books.
Lipton, B. H. (2006). The wisdom of your cells: How your beliefs control your biology. Boulder: Sounds True.
Lipton, B. H. (2014). The honeymoon effect: the science of creating heaven on earth. Boulder, CO: Sounds True.
Lipton, B. H., Bhaerman, S. (2009). Spontaneous evolution: Our positive future (and a way to get there from here). Carlsbad, Calif.: Hay House.
McGilchrist, I. (2009). The master and his emissary: the divided brain and the making of the Western world. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Miller, L. (2015). The spiritual child: The new science on parenting for health and lifelong thriving.
Miller, L. W. E. S. (2021). The awakened brain : the new science of spirituality and our quest for an inspired life.
Millman, J., & Darling-Hammond, L. (1990). The New handbook of teacher evaluation: assessing elementary and secondary school teachers. Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage Publications.
Palmer, P. J. (1993). To know as we are known: Education as a spiritual journey. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco.
Palmer, P. J. (1998). The courage to teach: Exploring the inner landscape of a teacher's life. San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass.
Palmer, P. J. (2004). A hidden wholeness: The journey toward an undivided life: welcoming the soul and weaving community in a wounded world. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Palmer, P. J., Zajonc, A., & Scribner, M. (2010). The heart of higher education: a call to renewal. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Piaget, J. (1929/2007). The child's conception of the world. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Piaget, J. (1950). The psychology of intelligence. London: Routledge & Paul.
Piaget, J. (1959). The language and thought of the child. New York: Humanities Press.
Piaget, J. (1965). The moral judgment of the child. New York: Free Press.
Piaget, J. (1973). The child and reality; problems of genetic psychology. New York: Grossman Publishers.
Piaget, J. (1976). The grasp of consciousness: action and concept in the young child. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Piaget, J., & Inhelder, B. (1969). The psychology of the child. New York: Basic Books.
Piaget, J., & Valsiner, J. (1927/2001). The child's conception of physical causality. New Brunswick (N. J.); London: Transaction Publishers.
Senge, P. M. (2000). Schools that learn: A fifth discipline fieldbook for educators, parents, and everyone who cares about education. New York: Doubleday.
Senge, P. M. (2008). The necessary revolution : how individuals and organizations are working together to create a sustainable world. New York: Doubleday.
Siegel, D. J. (2010). Mindsight: the new science of personal transformation. New York: Bantam Books.
Siegel, D. J. (2018). Aware : the science and practice of presence, a complete guide to the groundbreaking Wheel of Awareness meditation practice.
Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. New York: Macmillan.
Thorndike, E. L. (1913/2010). Educational psychology. [Charleston, SC]: Nabu Press, [BiblioBazaar].
Wise, A. E., Darling-Hammond, L., Berry, B., Profession., R. C. C. f. t. S. o. t. T., & Education, N. I. o. (1987). Effective teacher selection: From recruitment to retention. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, Center for the Study of the Teaching Profession.
Wise, A. E., Darling-Hammond, L., & Klein, S. P. (1986). Evaluating the teaching skills of beginning teachers a report to the Senate Education Committee and House Education Committee. Santa Monica, Calif.: Rand,.
Zeichner, K. M., Miller, L., Silvernail, D. L., Darling-Hammond, L., American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education., & National Commission on Teaching & America's Future (U.S.). (2000). Studies of excellence in teacher education: Preparation in the undergraduate years. Washington, DC: AACTE Publications.
- The Believing Brain (Columbia U.) - Changing ourselves starts with changing our beliefs.
Prepared for The Collaborative for Spirituality in Education, Teachers College of Columbia U. in NYC (Oct. 2022) - The Believing Brain (IIRP) - Changing ourselves starts with changing our beliefs.
video prepared for The International Institute for Restorative Practices, IIRP World Conference 2023 (Jan. 2023) - Reawakening Your Love of Teaching
prepared for "AWAKENED SCHOOLS: The Spiritual Core in Whole Child Education", live conference, Teachers College of Columbia U. in NYC (Oct. 2022). - The Educational Workshop on 20 Opportunities to Transform Yourself While Teaching
- "Reclaiming Your Spirituality" was prepared for "Cultivating the Spiritual Core: An Interactive Learning Summit", Teachers College of Columbia U. in NYC (Nov. 2021).
- "Recovering Your Childhood in Adulthood" was prepared for "Awakened Campus Summit", Teachers College of Columbia U. in NYC (April 2022).
- "The Biology of Belief" was prepared for "AWAKENED SCHOOLS: The Spiritual Core in Whole Child Education", live conference, Teachers College of Columbia U. in NYC (Oct. 2022).
- Intuitive Education Workshop
- The Collaborative for Spirituality in Education, Teachers College of Columbia U. in NYC (Nov. 2019)
- INSS (International Network for the Study of Spirituality), St. Johns U. in the UK (June 2021)
- Holistic Teaching and Learning Center, Southern Oregon U. in Ashland, OR (Oct. 2021)
- Cultivating the Spiritual Core: An Interactive Learning Summit, Teachers College of Columbia U. in NYC (Nov. 2021)
- - Science of Emotions (Keltner, 2
- Science of Emotions (Keltner, 2009, 2023)
- Childhood & Spirituality (Hart, 2001, 2010, 2014a, 2014b; L. Miller, 2015; L. W. E. S. Miller, 2021)
- Left Brain Dominance (McGilchrist, 2009)
- Mindfulness and Nondual Awareness (Chopra, 2021; Chopra, Ford, & Williamson, 2010; Lantieri, 2008; Palmer, 1993, 1998, 2004; Palmer, Zajonc, & Scribner, 2010)
- Emotional and Social Intelligence, Presence (Goleman & Boutsikaris, 2006; Goleman & Senge, 2007; Goleman & Whitener, 2005; Senge, 2000, 2008)
- Awareness and Mindsight (Siegel, 2010, 2018)
- Wisdom Teaching and Practical Exercises (Laozi, 2005/circa 500 BC)
- Belief (Dispenza, 2017; Dispenza & Boyce, 2016; Dispenza, Knight, & Encephalon, 2005; B. H. Lipton, 2005, 2006, 2014; B. H. Lipton, Bhaerman, S., 2009)
- Early Opposition to the Mechanical View of Humans (Dewey, 1910, 1916/2005)
- Historically Assumed Separateness (Harari, 2017) (Kuhn, 2004)
- Reduced Importance of Childhood (Piaget, 1929/2007, 1950, 1959, 1965, 1973, 1976; Piaget & Inhelder, 1969; Piaget & Valsiner, 1927/2001)
- Excessive Testing (Darling-Hammond, 2010; González & Darling-Hammond, 1997; Gurwitz, Darling-Hammond, Pease, Education., & Corporation., 1981; Haggstrom, Darling-Hammond, Grissmer, & Center for the Study of the Teaching Profession (Rand Corporation), 1988; Koppich, Merseth, Darling-Hammond, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education., & National Commission on Teaching & America's Future (U.S.), 2000; Millman & Darling-Hammond, 1990; Wise, Darling-Hammond, Berry, Profession., & Education, 1987; Wise, Darling-Hammond, & Klein, 1986; Zeichner et al., 2000)
- Education: Students-only, Community-centered, Right Answers, Restricted Resources, Not tests, Not algebra, Not control, Not norms, Brick & Mortar Schools, Integrated Disciplines, Inspirational Content (Dintersmith, 2018; Hart, 2001)
- 1800s Factory Model (Skinner, 1953; Thorndike, 1913/2010)
Bickart, J. (2018). The next version of you: 12 stories that highlight the use of intuition to update your life.
Bickart, J. (2020a). Bickart’s Just-in-Time Fables (Vol. 1). Asheville, NC: Red Shirt Interactive Group.
Bickart, J. (2020b). Bickart’s Just-in-Time Fables (Vol. 2). Asheville, NC: Red Shirt Interactive Group.
Bickart, J. (2020c). Bickart’s Just-in-Time Fables (Vol. 3). Asheville, NC: Red Shirt Interactive Group.
Bickart, J. (2022). 20 Opportunities to Transform Yourself While Teaching. Asheville, NC: Red Shirt Interactive Group.
Chopra, D. (2021). METAHUMAN : unleashing your infinite potential. [S.l.]: HARMONY CROWN.
Chopra, D., Ford, D., & Williamson, M. (2010). The shadow effect: Illuminating the hidden power of your true self. New York: HarperOne.
Darling-Hammond, L. (2010). The flat world and education: how America's commitment to equity will determine our future. New York: Teachers College Press.
Dewey, J. (1910). How we think. Boston: D.C. Heath & Co.
Dewey, J. (1916/2005). Democracy and education: An introduction to the philosophy of education. New York: Cosimo Classics.
Dintersmith, T. (2018). What school could be : insights and inspiration from teachers across America.
Dispenza, J. (2017). Becoming supernatural: how common people are doing the uncommon. Carlsbad: Hay House.
Dispenza, J., & Boyce, A. (2016). You Are the Placebo. [United States]: Author's Republic : Made available through hoopla.
Dispenza, J., Knight, J. Z., & Encephalon, L. L. C. (2005). Mastering the art of observation. Rainier, WA: Encephalon.
Goleman, D., & Boutsikaris, D. (2006). Social intelligence the new science of human relationships. New York: Audio Renaissance.
Goleman, D., & Senge, P. M. (2007). Working with presence. New York: Audio Renaissance.
Goleman, D., & Whitener, B. (2005). Emotional intelligence. Prince Frederick, MD: Landmark Audiobooks.
González, J. M., & Darling-Hammond, L. (1997). New concepts for new challenges: Professional development for teachers of immigrant youth. [Washington, D.C.], McHenry, IL: Center for Applied Linguistics ; Delta Systems Co.
Gurwitz, A. S., Darling-Hammond, L., Pease, S. R., Education., U. S. D. o., & Corporation., R. (1981). Maintenance of effort provisions: An instrument of federalism in education. Santa Monica, CA: Rand Corp.
Haggstrom, G. W., Darling-Hammond, L., Grissmer, D. W., & Center for the Study of the Teaching Profession (Rand Corporation). (1988). Assessing teacher supply and demand. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, Center for the Study of the Teaching Profession.
Harari, Y. N. P. D. O. I. (2017). Sapiens.
Hart, T. (2001). From information to transformation: Education for the evolution of consciousness. New York: P. Lang.
Hart, T. (2010). The secret spiritual world of children the breakthrough discovery that profoundly alters our conventional view of children's mystical experiences. [S.l.]: New World Library.
Hart, T. (2014a). The four virtues : presence, heart, wisdom, creation. New York: Atria Books/Beyond Words.
Hart, T. (2014b). The integrative mind : transformative education for a world on fire.
Keltner, D. (2009). Born to be good : the science of a meaningful life (1st ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Co. New York.
Keltner, D. (2023). Awe : the new science of everyday wonder and how it can transform your life. New York: Penguin Press New York.
Koppich, J., Merseth, K. K., Darling-Hammond, L., American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education., & National Commission on Teaching & America's Future (U.S.). (2000). Studies of excellence in teacher education: Preparation in a five-year program. Washington, DC: AACTE Publications.
Kuhn, T. S. (2004). The structure of scientific revolutions. Chicago [u.a.]: Univ. of Chicago Press.
Lantieri, L. (2008). Building inner resilience. Reclaiming Children and Youth, 17(2), 43-46.
Laozi, D. R. A. C. J. (2005/circa 500 BC). Tao te ching : a new translation & commentary. New York: Barnes & Noble.
Lipton, B. H. (2005). The biology of belief: Unleashing the power of consciousness, matter and miracles. Santa Rosa, CA: Mountain of Love/Elite Books.
Lipton, B. H. (2006). The wisdom of your cells: How your beliefs control your biology. Boulder: Sounds True.
Lipton, B. H. (2014). The honeymoon effect: the science of creating heaven on earth. Boulder, CO: Sounds True.
Lipton, B. H., Bhaerman, S. (2009). Spontaneous evolution: Our positive future (and a way to get there from here). Carlsbad, Calif.: Hay House.
McGilchrist, I. (2009). The master and his emissary: the divided brain and the making of the Western world. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Miller, L. (2015). The spiritual child: The new science on parenting for health and lifelong thriving.
Miller, L. W. E. S. (2021). The awakened brain : the new science of spirituality and our quest for an inspired life.
Millman, J., & Darling-Hammond, L. (1990). The New handbook of teacher evaluation: assessing elementary and secondary school teachers. Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage Publications.
Palmer, P. J. (1993). To know as we are known: Education as a spiritual journey. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco.
Palmer, P. J. (1998). The courage to teach: Exploring the inner landscape of a teacher's life. San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass.
Palmer, P. J. (2004). A hidden wholeness: The journey toward an undivided life: welcoming the soul and weaving community in a wounded world. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Palmer, P. J., Zajonc, A., & Scribner, M. (2010). The heart of higher education: a call to renewal. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Piaget, J. (1929/2007). The child's conception of the world. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Piaget, J. (1950). The psychology of intelligence. London: Routledge & Paul.
Piaget, J. (1959). The language and thought of the child. New York: Humanities Press.
Piaget, J. (1965). The moral judgment of the child. New York: Free Press.
Piaget, J. (1973). The child and reality; problems of genetic psychology. New York: Grossman Publishers.
Piaget, J. (1976). The grasp of consciousness: action and concept in the young child. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Piaget, J., & Inhelder, B. (1969). The psychology of the child. New York: Basic Books.
Piaget, J., & Valsiner, J. (1927/2001). The child's conception of physical causality. New Brunswick (N. J.); London: Transaction Publishers.
Senge, P. M. (2000). Schools that learn: A fifth discipline fieldbook for educators, parents, and everyone who cares about education. New York: Doubleday.
Senge, P. M. (2008). The necessary revolution : how individuals and organizations are working together to create a sustainable world. New York: Doubleday.
Siegel, D. J. (2010). Mindsight: the new science of personal transformation. New York: Bantam Books.
Siegel, D. J. (2018). Aware : the science and practice of presence, a complete guide to the groundbreaking Wheel of Awareness meditation practice.
Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. New York: Macmillan.
Thorndike, E. L. (1913/2010). Educational psychology. [Charleston, SC]: Nabu Press, [BiblioBazaar].
Wise, A. E., Darling-Hammond, L., Berry, B., Profession., R. C. C. f. t. S. o. t. T., & Education, N. I. o. (1987). Effective teacher selection: From recruitment to retention. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, Center for the Study of the Teaching Profession.
Wise, A. E., Darling-Hammond, L., & Klein, S. P. (1986). Evaluating the teaching skills of beginning teachers a report to the Senate Education Committee and House Education Committee. Santa Monica, Calif.: Rand,.
Zeichner, K. M., Miller, L., Silvernail, D. L., Darling-Hammond, L., American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education., & National Commission on Teaching & America's Future (U.S.). (2000). Studies of excellence in teacher education: Preparation in the undergraduate years. Washington, DC: AACTE Publications.
Thought Provoking Science Lessons
that Use Critical Thinking
to Transform Yourself
that Use Critical Thinking
to Transform Yourself
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Science Education
and Spiritual Transformation
|
(First Edition)
John Bickart, Ph.D.
Red Shirt Interactive Group
Asheville, NC
Copyright © 2024 John Bickart. Some rights reserved.
This book may be shared for non-commercial reasons. This means that it may be copied as a whole or in part and shared in print or any electronic media as long as it is not sold or used to carry advertising. If copied, the author requests attribution.
Cover photo composite by Anthony Scaravilli
1st edition, 2024
ISBN: 9798833945506
Printed in the United States of America
www.bickart.org
John Bickart, Ph.D.
Red Shirt Interactive Group
Asheville, NC
Copyright © 2024 John Bickart. Some rights reserved.
This book may be shared for non-commercial reasons. This means that it may be copied as a whole or in part and shared in print or any electronic media as long as it is not sold or used to carry advertising. If copied, the author requests attribution.
Cover photo composite by Anthony Scaravilli
1st edition, 2024
ISBN: 9798833945506
Printed in the United States of America
www.bickart.org
|
Dedication
All of my dedications for books written thus far include my loving wife, Wendy. There is a reason for that, Wendy. This one is also for, and largely because of you. |
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Back Cover of the Book
These thought-provoking essays are meant to promote critical thinking. Are you a student of science? What does that mean to you? Does it mean that you want to know the rules of science so that you can work in that field? What about your purpose in life? Do you consider yourself to be a whole person with the desire to develop your character in addition to learning science? This book may be for you if your learning path is full of living questions and the stuff of wonder. Do you feel like every fact that is thrown at you is allowed to be challenged, overthrown, or updated? If you feel that you live in a space where there could be a knocking at the door at any moment and new ideas and new versions of yourself might come walking in ... then join me in these creative essays. Science education is like making friends; you form relationships with whatever you study. And just like a relationship with a good friend, it can be spiritually transformative. What is a spiritual relationship? It is one that is more about giving than receiving - where you truly care about someone or something - one that transforms into genuine friendship with the world around you, with nature. This book contains 20 of my favorite lessons from over 50 years of teaching, where I felt successful in reaching all manner of students. In each, we tried to listen to a spiritual message from nature that we could apply to our own lives. In the 70s, I taught in a Waldorf school. In the 80s and 90s, I consulted on adult education in the corporate world to Fortune 500 companies. Then, I taught in a high school that had students who were largely emotionally disturbed. Following these wonderful experiences, I taught in a men’s, then women’s prison. I have taught in different parts of the world from Shanghai to Peewaukie - from New York City to San Francisco. I have been pairing science with spirituality before the mainstream was ready to entertain it. But, what about now? It seems to me that humankind has a chance right now to make a significant transformation. Just think of the possibilities if we could extend our passion for relationship with friends to all of the beings of nature? What if we pursued science with the intense, heart-felt intangibles that we feel for our loved ones? ************************** |
