There’s a saying in the climate movement that to change everything will take everyone. In my work as an educational leader of color dedicated to transforming school communities through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), I believe it’s imperative that schools ultimately position SEL in service of a shift in collective consciousness.
Topic Archives:
Contemplative Environmental Mentoring Communities
Professors of Environmental Studies face a unique pedagogical challenge. They must teach about the immensity of global environmental harm without falling into deep cynicism. Professors can meet this challenge by facing up to their own fears and developing the courage to share insights as honestly as possible. This requires a high level of self-awareness and …
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Contemplative Practices for Well-being of Low-income Children and Teachers in India
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in India is aggravating economic and social disparities. Majority of Indian children from low-income backgrounds have been deprived education, face an uncertain future, with stress and emotional trauma. Therefore, there is an urgent need for teachers, schools and communities to be equipped with field-tested approaches to address the emotional well-being of …
Embodying DEI: Trauma-informed and Mindfulness-based Approaches to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education
The past year has renewed higher education’s urgency to address historical racial violence. Yet the outpouring of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts we have seen over the course of the past year have often neglected the demands of people of color to oppose racism not only intellectually or semantically, but to address historical racialized …
Don’t Look Down: How to Build Bridges with Unlikely Allies
Over 85% of the world subscribes to a faith. Over half of the schools worldwide are run by faith institutions. Collectively, faiths are the 3rd largest category of financial investors. And yet, for the most part, they are often not recognized as a stakeholder group by mainstream environmental and climate movements, let alone as a …
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Keynote and Q&A: “Educating the Hearts and Minds of Children in School: Emerging Research, New Discoveries, and Current Challenges in Contemplative Approaches in Education “
There is a growing consensus among psychologists, educators, and the public at large that a more comprehensive vision of education is needed—one that includes an explicit focus on “educating the heart” and intentionally cultivates children’s social and emotional competencies and positive human qualities, including self-regulation, self-awareness, empathy, and compassion. This explicit and intentional focus on integrating educating the heart with educating the mind …
Evolution of the Heart
On July 6, Mind & Life will honor the Dalai Lama’s birthday with the release of “Evolution of the Heart.” The 36-minute film chronicles conversations between the Dalai Lama, evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson, and social scientist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela.
Mind & Life Honors Robert W. Roeser with Annual Service Award
“We have to understand the families of knowledge that we can bring to bear on today’s complex challenges,” says Mind & Life Steering Council member Robert W. Roeser, who has served as co-creator, facilitator, and presenter at numerous Mind & Life events, and as a key advisor on initiatives such as the Education of the …
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From Teacher Burnout to Teacher-led Reform
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re pleased to profile Mind & Life grantee and Fellow Tish Jennings, a pioneer in mindfulness and education and social-emotional learning whose research over two decades has fostered greater teacher well-being and more compassionate classrooms. America faces a growing teacher shortage, made only worse by the pandemic. According to …
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From Argentina to South Africa: Contemplative Scientists Find Connection and a Home
With roots in North America and western Europe, the field of contemplative science is now expanding around the globe. Despite this growth, not all researchers have access to the same knowledge, resources, and networks. And for those advancing new areas of inquiry, the experience can be an isolating, if not lonely, one. Researchers pioneering new …
