CBD 2015: The Role of Contemplation in Teaching & Learning

Contemplative practices are being incorporated into education at all levels, kindergarten through college. Over the last 15 years, the term “contemplative pedagogy” has emerged to refer to educational methods that support development of student attention, concentration, emotional balance, empathetic connection, creativity, compassion and altruistic behavior. Panelists will discuss their experiences with contemplation, as teachers, researchers and practitioners of contemplative practices. Opportunities for engaging in contemplative practices at Stanford will be described. In conversation with the audience, panelists will explore the potential of contemplative practices to:

• facilitate transformative learning and augment transmissional and transactional learning,
• empower students to integrate theory with direct experience,
• promote physical and emotional health,
• foster emotional intelligence,
• sustain compassion, courage, and commitment to well-being for self and others,
• support full engagement with complex moral, spiritual, and social challenges, and
• cultivate wisdom in addition to cognitive, intellectual knowledge.

The discussion will consider the role of higher education in facilitating psycho-emotional development in concert with the cultivation of academic and career competence.

If you wish to send your questions and thoughts to the panelists before the discussion, please do so by Thursday, October 29th, at http://stanford.io/panelquestions

Panelists: Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Harry Elam, Dean for Religious Life, Professor Jane Shaw, Assistant Professor of Psychology Alia Crum, Associate Director Health and Human Performance, Chris Pelchat

Moderator: Tia Rich, Ph.D., Director of Contemplation by Design