John P. Miller 
Educating for Wisdom and Compassion 
Creating Conditions for Timeless Learning

‘A clearly written, concise, and inspired book…’

-Lourdes Arguelles

Professor of Education and Cultural Studies

Claremont Graduate University



Blending philosophy, research, and three decades of practice, the author offers an engaging discussion of essential principles of timeless learning, including attention, contemplation, connection, participation, responsibility, wholeness, and joy. Educators in today′s schools can apply these principles, models, and methods to inform instruction in their own classrooms and teaching practices. Some of the benefits timeless learning can bring include:

• Helping students develop deep joy, wholeness, awe and wonder, and a sense of purpose


• Improving attention, alertness, perception, and memory


• Using meditation and contemplation to help reduce stress, anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure

Содержание

Part I Timeless Learning: Definitions and Fundamentals

1. Timeless Learning

What Is Timeless Learning?

What Are the Characteristics of Timeless Learning?

Holistic/Integrative

Embodied

Connected

Soulful

Transformative

Flow

Participatory

Non-dualistic

Mysterious and unexplainable

Immeasurable

What Does Timeless Learning Bring to Today′s Classrooms?

Conclusion

References

2. The Perennial Philosophy: A Relaxed Universalism

Foundations of the Perennial Philosophy

The interconnected nature of reality and the mysterious unity of the universe

The intimate connection between the individual′s inner self, or soul, and the mysterious unity

Wisdom or knowledge of the mysterious unity can be developed through various contemplative practices

Values are derived from seeing and realizing the interconnectedness of reality

Awareness of the mysterious unity of existence leads to social action to counter injustice and human suffering

References

Part II Timeless Learning: Processes and Practices

3. Letting Go and Becoming Empty

Psychosynthesis and Dis-identification

David Hunt

Krishnamurti

The Bhagavad Gita and Non-Attachment

Spiritual Knowing

Just Let Go

References

4. Attention and Meditation

Meditation

Forms of Meditation

Intellectual Meditation

Emotional Meditation

Physical Meditation

Action Meditation

Meditation Practices

Insight

Body Scan

Mantra

Visualization

Movement meditation

Getting Started

Meditation With Children

Just One Minute by Naomi Baer

References

5. Compassion, Caring, and Lovingkindness

Kindness, Empathy, Compassion, and Love

Lovingkindness Practice

Caring in Schools

School with Forest and Meadow (Ojiya School)

Service Learning

Engaged Service

Community-Based Work

To Be and to Have

References

6. Contemplation, Mindfulness, and Presence

Mindfulness

Presence

Contemplation and Mindfulness in Classrooms

Contemplation and Action

References

Part III Timeless Learning: Perspectives, Examples, and Outcomes

7. Educational Perspectives on Timeless Learning

Transcendental Education

Emerson

Thoreau

Bronson Alcott

Holistic Education

Linear Thinking and Intuition

Relationship Between Mind and Body

Subject Connections

Community Connections

Earth Connections

Self Connections

Slow Education

Conclusion

References

8. Examples of Timeless Learning

Krishnamurti Schools

Principles of Learning

The School

The Teacher

Waldorf Education

Steiner′s View of Development

Rhythm

Montessori Education

Conclusion

References

9. Creating Conditions for Timeless Learning in Public Schools

Work on Yourself

Be Fully Present

Recognize the Importance of the Nonverbal

Honor Silence

Develop a Rhythm

Integrate Timeless Learning with other Forms of Learning

Balancing Spontenaity and Planning

Don′t Forget the Body

Live Your Own Truth

Acknowledge the Mystery

Let Your Humanity Come Through

References

10. The Fruits of Timeless Learning

The Present Educational Context

The Results of Timeless Learning

Research on Contemplative Practices

My Own Research

Nature of Mediation Practice

Personal Effects of Meditation Practice

Professional Effects of Meditation Practice

Profiles

Ultimate Outcomes of Timeless Learning

Wisdom and Compassion

Joy: The Singing Soul

Awe and Wonder

Wholeness

Sense of Purpose

References

Bibliography

Index

Об авторе

John P. (Jack) Miller, Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto and Head of OISE’s Centre for Teacher Development. He has also been Visiting Professor at Shinwa Women’s University in Kobe, Japan, and at Rietsumeiken University in Kyoto, Japan. Professor Miller teaches courses in holistic education and spirituality in education. He has also led workshops and given keynote addresses on those topics at conferences around the world.  Notable among his many books, chapters, and journal articles are Holistic Learning and Spirituality in Education: Breaking New Ground (2005), Education and the Soul: Toward a Spiritual Curriculum (2000), The Contemplative Practitioner (1994), Holistic Learning: The Teacher’s Guide to Integrated Studies (1990), The Holistic Curriculum (1988), The Compassionate Teacher (1981), and Humanizing the Classroom (1976). His writing has been translated into seven languages.