Models for Contemplative Education: Mindful Inquiry and Learning

Contemplative education refers to a form of pedagogy that identifies the principles of embodied, mindful learning as integral to deep, engaged meaning-making. The field of contemplative studies informs this work, as educators develop new models of teaching that use critical first-person inquiry and mindfulness practices to foster sustained engagement. In this course we will explore the field of contemplative education and consider such questions as: what is learning and how does divergent or mindful thinking influence how we learn? Is there a connection between mindfulness and creativity, attention, memory? We will review research in the field and critically examine findings that suggest a correlation between contemplative practices and the intellectual growth and psychological well-being of students.