Contemplative Pedagogy
Considerable work is now going on around the country and across the globe to bring contemplative practices and perspectives into education—to create contemplative pedagogy. For those wanting to learn more about this movement, I can suggest several organizations that will serve as entry points, whether your focus is on higher education or on K–12 education.
Contemplative Practices in Higher Education
One national organization primarily has spearheaded the incorporation of contemplative practices into higher education, the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, which has been in existence for nearly twenty years. (I am on the board of the Center and was a recipient of one of its fellowships.) The Center has spawned an academic society, the Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education (ACMHE), which sponsors an annual academic conference and an academic journal.
The Center’s Web site is a good starting point for learning more about current directions in contemplative pedagogy in higher education. The Web site maintains links to the ACMHE, its journal, and its conference, as well as to various resources, including books, articles, and webinars. Members of the ACMHE can join an active listserv where participants regularly discuss practices and pedagogy, and announce new publications and upcoming events.1
Contemplative Practices in K–12 Education
In K–12 education, there has been an explosion of books, programs, and institutions concerned with contemplation and mindfulness. I will mention two organizations that can provide an entryway to this work (although both organizations welcome those who are involved in higher education). The Association for Mindfulness in Education (AME) maintains a Web site with links to books and CDs, events, research, schools, and educational programs. The Mindfulness in Education Network (MiEN) also maintains a Web site with various resources, including video of presentations at its recent conferences. (I am on the board of MiEN.) Both AME and MiEN sponsor annual conferences and maintain active listservs.2