Education Commons^™

The Art Of Storying A Life, Alexandra Fidyk

Artizein: Arts and Teaching Journal

Attending what might be passed as an ordinary if difficult exchange with a fellow graduate student when in doctoral studies, the storyteller weaves a particular happening into a much more telling account of power and agency. The teller permits time and place to shift, amplifying other encounters in relation to the initial student meeting. While not easy reading, especially for those who enjoy a telling as smooth and direct as an arrow flies, if you can allow yourself to wend along the curves that arc to and fro, something powerful will unfold. You will find yourself at a place not …

Bringing Up Buddhas: How Mindfulness Can Impact The Next Generation, Alex Tzelnic

Mindfulness Studies Theses

The following presents both a rationale paper and a creative thesis on the topic of how mindfulness can meaningfully impact the next generation. Given the daunting issues faced by Generation Alpha (those born after 2010), including climate change, social justice, and mental health, understanding how the tool of mindfulness can best support children, as well as inform the caretakers most influential to them such as parents and educators, is crucial.

The following rationale paper outlines how mindfulness can make an impact in the fields of parenting and education, as well as in addressing the pertinent issues mentioned above. In surveying …

The Work Is Within: My Buddhist Faith As I Reckon With Police Shootings & Racial Unrest, Vicki Mokuria

The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community

Based on the author’s life story in which her husband was shot and killed by police officers in front of her and their two young children, she provides a first-person narrative of her experience, linking the ways her Buddhist faith and practice have sustained her over the years. She recounts snippets of her privileged childhood growing up Jewish in the South before meeting and marrying her Ethiopian husband and beginning a family with him, along with beginning their Buddhist practice. Specific aspects of Buddhist philosophy are incorporated in this piece to provide insights into a Buddhist lens on our current …

“To Study The Self Is To Forget The Self”: Zen Lessons On Ego And Leadership In Higher Education, Jody Condit Fagan

Libraries

Theories of charismatic leadership present leadership as an influence process where part of the leader’s role is to attract followers through individual example and vision. Charismatic leadership acknowledges the potential dangers of narcissism in the leader and leader-obsession among their followers. Meanwhile, central tenets of Zen philosophy include that of non-attachment to self, interdependence of all beings, and impermanence. Interviews with four American Zen practitioner-leaders were analyzed for themes related to the influence of ego on leadership. This paper presents findings from the interviews, and discusses these along with observations from other Zen scholars and practitioners. The discussion is complemented …

Book Review: Teaching With Compassion, Brian K. Obach

eJournal of Public Affairs

This essay reviews the book Teaching with Compassion by Peter Kaufman and Janine Schipper and provides insight into the life and teaching philosophy of Kaufman. He died prematurely shortly after the book was released, but not before prolific public sociological reflection on illness, life, and death.

How Hugging Mom Teaches Me The Meaning Of Love And Perhaps Beyond, Ethan Trinh

The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community

Hugging mom is unconventional in a traditional Vietnamese family. I write this piece to articulate my thoughts to describe different ways to look at the meanings of hugging. During my writing process, I use a walking meditation as a Buddhist practice to calm my mind so that I can see my true self and a clearer picture of different layers of the act of hugging. I believe hegemonic gender roles and patriarchy happen everywhere in the world, not particularly in Vietnam. I do not plan to devalue my home country’s cultural values in this paper. This is not the purpose …

Longitudinal Effects Of A 2-Year Meditation And Buddhism Program On Well-Being, Quality Of Life, And Valued Living, Brooke M. Smith, Clarissa W. Ong, Tyson S. Barrett, Ellen J. Bluett, Timothy A. Slocum, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objectives: Most research on mindfulness and meditation has focused on structured therapeutic interventions, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, or meditation retreats. Such programs have received moderate empirical support for improving psychological outcomes in clinical and nonclinical populations, but there remains a paucity of research on intensive or long-term mindfulness or meditation programs for experienced practitioners, especially those that incorporate Buddhist teachings. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of a long-term integrated mindfulness/meditation and Buddhism program, Dharma in Daily Life (DIDL).

Methods: Well-being, quality of life, valued living, and theorized processes of change were …

Quantumly Entangled: Cosmic Consciousness In The Classroom, Jack Daly

Writing Center Analysis Papers

The main problem with Western education is the dualistic perspective which separates the teacher/tutor and the student into two separate identities. However, modern physics, specifically the theory of quantum entanglement, is showing that the atoms which compose the false identity of a “self” are intertwined in a mutual state of causality. These quantum revelations are affirming the ancient wisdom teaching of “That art thou” which is found in religions and spiritualities across the globe which an individual arrives at in an ego death and rebirth experience. The system of cosmic consciousness in the classroom expunges the dualistic perspective of “you” …

A.I., Cyborgs, Shamans And Transcendence Configuring The Iso And The Mythopoeic Sacred In Tron: Legacy, Efthimiou, Olivia

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This essay explores the role of cyberspace in the 2010 film Tron: Legacy as an expression of the enduring relevance of religious symbolism and humanity's innate search for transcendence in modern technologies. Cyberspace is investigated as a sacred space of infinite possibilities in which humanity is redefined at the intersection of the digital, fantasy and consciousness. In the examination of the film’s religious symbolism as a modern-day creation myth and its roots in shamanic cosmology, artificial intelligences in the movie depicted as highly complex humanoid information systems are proposed as a blueprint for an advanced mode of consciousness which integrates …

On Elemental Phenomenology: Sallis And Dzogchen Buddhism, Schwartz, Michael

Journal of Conscious Evolution

John Sallis’ volumes on the Force of the Imagination (2000) and Logic of the Imagination (2012) constitute, in the field of contemporary Continental thought, a novel philosophical view of the elementals. Tibetan Buddhism has a more than a thousand-year old tradition of teaching about and practicing with the elements. This study is a preliminary exploration of the cross-currents of these two elemental teachings.

Toward A Buddhist Theory Of Conflict Transformation: From Simple Actor-Oriented Conflict To Complex Structural Conflict, Tatsushi Arai

Peace and Conflict Studies

This paper presents a working theory of conflict transformation informed by Buddhist teachings. It argues that a Buddhist approach to conflict transformation consists of an integrated process of self-reflection on the roots and transformation of suffering (dukkha), on the one hand, and active relationship-building between parties, on the other. To overcome a deeply structural conflict in which parties are unaware of the very existence of the conflict-generating system in which they are embedded, however, Buddhist-inspired practice of conflict transformation requires building structural awareness, which is defined as educated consciousness capable of perceiving a complex web of cause and effect relationships …

Be Your Own Guru: Authoritarianism And The Problem Of The Guru In Conscious Evolution, Mcauley, Charles E.

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This paper is an exploration of the problematic nature of the guru/disciple relationship, specifically, in Western Society. It begins with a discussion of the nature of spirituality and the spiritual quest. To contextualize the process, I also discuss my own spiritual path based in Roman Catholicism, Taoism, Buddhism and my thoughts on the philosophy of Krishnamurti. I explore the topic of the authoritarian follower in some depth. Its connection is symbiotic to the existence of the authoritarian leader. This connection is demonstrated within this paper as well. Additionally, I look at the flaws in some well-known guru figures and how …

An Ontological (Re)Thinking: Ubuntu And Buddhism In Higher Education, David Wayne Robinson-Morris

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Institutions of higher education, the nation’s ideological filters, shape our world and our very being-in-the-world. Given the current anthro-cultural state of affairs around the globe, this investigation posits institutions of higher education’s complicity in the proliferation of societal dis-ease and its responsibility in assisting to recalibrate the global moral compass. Following these assertions this inquiry is focused on the other-than-ness of higher education, and re-imagines both humanity and higher education to be what it is not yet, but must become. More specifically, through Buddhism and Ubuntu, this investigation (re)thinks institutions of higher education as transformational educative environments of human becoming …

Pedagogical Development Of Zen Buddhism And Taoism For Taos Ed. Ventures, Kelsey Tyler

Social Sciences

Taos Ed. Ventures is an outdoor guiding company that will be offering backpacking trips in Taos, New Mexico to high school and college students, with ages ranging from 16 – 29, starting the summer of 2015. Along with backpacking skills, the philosophies of Zen Buddhism and Taoism will be taught while on the trail. To teach these philosophies, a pedagogy was created, combining aspects of Sentipensante and Contemplative pedagogies that seeks to teach the daily applications of Zen Buddhism and Taoism through experiential and innovative learning methods, such as journaling, meditation, and mindfulness practices. The benefits of these alternative learning …

Zen Communication - A Cross Cultural Approach To Mindfulness, Appropriate Response, And Flow In Dyadic Interactions, Gregory Husak

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study examined the question of how the qualities that arise from the practice of traditionally East Asian disciplines such as Zen and related martial arts might be effectively applied to dyadic interactions. Long-form interviews of about 40 minutes each were conducted with academics who have studied these topics and with expert practitioners who have extensive direct experience. Most subjects had significant cross-cultural experience, having studied and/or practiced in both the U.S. and in Japan. Detailed analysis of transcripts of these recorded interviews indicated that, in particular, the seated Zen meditation practice known as zazen generates personally transformational qualities that …

Applying Critical And Creative Thinking In Teaching Buddhism, Doan Van Thua

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

This synthesis describes my journey preparing myself for teaching Buddhism in a way that moves beyond traditional approaches of transmitting information to students. I describe learning, teaching activities, tools, and methodologies using critical and creative thinking that can be applicable to Buddhist education. I describe some changes towards more interactive modes of teaching and progress in teaching I have made so far in my teaching Sunday school for children, in public teaching, and in giving instruction to Buddhist groups. Some further expectations and some defects in my teaching that need improvement are noted. A Buddhist is not a blind follower, …

Stonehill Alumni Magazine Fall 2003, Stonehill College Office Of Communications And Media Relations

Stonehill Alumni Magazine

This issue of the magazine includes the following features:

• What's Cooking in Science? Take one part curiosity, two parts thought-provoking courses and mix liberally with dynamic professors, and what do you get? A pretty accurate description of the Stonehill science program in 2003. By Maura King Scully
• The Thrill of Victory: In May, the women's lacrosse team captured the College's first-ever NCAA national championship, while the equestrian team took another first -the top spot in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Hunter Seat/Collegiate Cup Competition.
• Professor Ives On Buddhism: In August, renowned Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh held a retreat at …

The Ursinus Weekly, May 3, 1973, John T. Fidler, Elsie Van Wagoner, Pat Belmont, David Ochocki, Deborah Mcconomy, Nancy Frye, Richard Whaley, Mark M. Borish, James Cochran, Gary Griffith, Rodger Blind, Robert Vietri, Susan Petersen, Helen Ludwig, Ruthann Connell

Ursinus Weekly Newspaper, 1902-1978

Meisters sing praise about Spring tour • CCC's squad leaders program will have more work, closer contact with Frosh • USGA selects new J-Board members • IF weekend starts today • Convocation to honor U.C. basketball team • Phi Psi, ZX, entertain 30 area orphans • Travelin' 6 concert to be held tonight • Summer School announcement • Editorials: Watergate opens wider; A call to arms • Dr. Visser outlines service project which needs helpers • Dr. Hiroshi Obayashi speaks at Socratic Club meeting • P-VAC art show is a successful one • Gerard Piel speaks on science and humanities …

The Ursinus Weekly, November 11, 1957, Walter W. Montgomery, Phil Rowe, Sheldon P. Wagman

Ursinus Weekly Newspaper, 1902-1978

Sasha Siemal, big game hunter, to speak at Forum November 13 • Braille award to Ursinus graduate • Cannes prize film given on Nov. 14-16 • Dr. Staiger presents paper to Chemical Society • Girls sign bids; Sororities welcome 55 new sisters • Becker, Schumaker Ruby business managers • Rehearsals for Fall play begin; "Ten little Indians" a thriller • Founders Day ceremonies held; Dr. S. E. Mackey delivers address: 3 get bachelor, 5 get honorary degrees; Paisley, Beardwood, Stauffer are dedicated • Oriental dance proves successful • Dorms dedicated on Founders Day • Chi Alpha to hear talk on …