Education for Wisdom: Toward an Expanded Self

• In Event: Education for Inner Transformation and an Expanded Self: Paradigm Shift in Education

Abstract

Point of View

This paper first critiques the current focus of educational reform, which is on creating more elaborate and stringent external criteria for a competitive world, that alienates the students and creates huge problems for human relationship and human-nature harmony. The paper then argues that education should be reoriented toward the education for wisdom (Lin, 2006, 2007). That is, instead of neglecting and forgetting what the real business is in life (Thoreau, 1863), we create awareness and an enlightened understanding of the larger meaning of life. Education should focus on what really matters in our life, and aim at cultivating love, compassion, forgiveness, and respect as fundamental qualities and abilities in students for their personal success and the world’s well being. Spirituality education is greatly needed to enable the students to see what our soul yearns for, to feel the interconnection of all lives and to expand the small self by embracing the Greater Self. In all, students should be armed with the wisdom to deal with problems in their personal lives and in the world, and construct with others reciprocal relationships of giving and receiving, loving and being loved.

Methods and Data Source

The paper will draw from spiritual teachings from world’s great religions and spiritual traditions, from modern scholars and wise beings. The paper is contemplative in nature, and discusses the role of meditation and virtues cultivation in one’s spiritual growth and acquisition of wisdom.

Conclusion

What is the ultimate goal of education? We should not shy away from asking this question. The question of human soul, human destiny and cultivation of wisdom has a huge implication for the the wellbeing of our students, and for the building of a peaceful and sustainable sustainable world. Education needs to address the major questions facing the world, and instead of using various “reform” measures to escalate competition and alienation, schools should be places to nourish the soul of students (Kessler, 2000) and to fill the students’ heart with love for All (Nava, 2001, Lin, 2006).

Author

• Jing Lin, University of Maryland - College Park