The heart of learning: Human presence in education

The heart of learning: Human presence in education

‘Education’ has the potential to take place in any situation where two or more people are meeting, that is, relating. Relationship lies at the heart of what it means to be human and hence what it means to educate. The root ‘educare’ refers to a ‘drawing out’ process...
An emotional education: Needs, feelings and behaviour

An emotional education: Needs, feelings and behaviour

The other evening, I was walking in the mountains. It was late in the day and the sun was shining in a slanted way, making the whole world look lovely. Great greens and browns filled the hills and valleys. The air was still, the land quiet. No wind stirred, the only...
Shifting into the ‘right mode’

Shifting into the ‘right mode’

“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself” ― Henry Miller In the brain, it is the right hemisphere that is involved in the perception of anything new or...
Activating the SEEKING system: The basis of well-being

Activating the SEEKING system: The basis of well-being

“We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. Through the unknown, remembered gate When the last of earth left to discover Is that which was the beginning; At the source...
Learning from literature: Ulysses, wisdom and virtue

Learning from literature: Ulysses, wisdom and virtue

“You were not born to be a teacher, I think. Perhaps I am wrong” “A learner rather”, Stephen said. “And here what will you learn more?” Mr Deasy shook his head. “Who knows?” he said. “To learn one must be humble. But life is the great teacher.” – James Joyce,...