Teaching - the Sacred Art

Rev. Jane E. Vennard, a popular teacher on prayer and spiritual practice, offers lectures and leads retreats in ecumenical settings in the United States, Canada and abroad. She is the author of several books and is ordained in the United Church of Christ to a ministry of teaching and spiritual direction.

"Required reading for any teacher. Jane's insights … are profound, challenging and inspiring. The spiritual dimension that she brings to this inquiry is the antidote for teacher burn-out."—Gary Friedman, Center for Understanding in Conflict/Center for Mediation in Law; author, Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients“Truly a book for all who teach, at any level and in any subject…. Pivotal and persuasive … the reader comes away with a clear sense that those traits and practices by which we become most authentically human allow us to become uniquely effective teachers.”—Marjorie J. Thompson, author; Soul Feast: An Invitation to Christian Spiritual Life“A masterful meditation on teaching as a sacred art. With the gentle guidance of an experienced teacher, [this book] will enrich your life and may wholly transform your perspective on education.”—E. Glenn Hinson, Emeritus Professor of Spirituality and John Loftis Professor of Church History, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond“One of the finest books I’ve read on the vocation of teaching as a journey to deeper self-knowing. Eloquent and informative.”—Diane M. Millis, PhD, author, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning and Joy“Teaching is a tough job; Jane Vennard shows us how to make it a blessed calling as well.”—Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice“An intimate exploration of the deepest contours of one’s soul. For both self-identified teachers and would-be teachers … offers a challenge to view teaching as a life-long journey of discovery.”—Arthur C. Jones, clinical professor of culture and psychology, University of Denver; author, Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals“Extraordinary! The exquisite weaving of insights and stories illuminates a sacred teaching in Islam: the teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp.”—Imam Jamal Rahman, author, Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla’s Comic Teaching Stories and Other Islamic Wisdom

• IntroductionChapter OneCalled to Teach: Discovering Our VocationListening for the CallHearing and Living the CallVocation in Religious SettingsCall as Spiritual JourneyAn Authentic CallRisky BusinessCalled to a Purposeful LifeLooking Inward, Going Deeper Chapter TwoEngaging Our Students and Colleagues: Respect, Challenge, and Kindness Honoring Students' Innate WisdomDiscovering Multiple IntelligencesTeaching to Multiple IntelligencesRespect for the StruggleCreating a Safe and Hospitable EnvironmentEngaging KindlyLooking Inward, Going Deeper Chapter ThreeLove of Subject, Love of Learning: Communicating Excitement and Wonder The Learner WithinWhen the Subject Is AliveTrusting the Learners' NeedsThe Continually Shifting CenterLifelong LearningLooking Inward, Going Deeper Chapter FourUsing Sacred Language: Telling Stories, Asking Questions, and Listening Well The Languages We UseExploring the Power of Personal LanguageRecognizing the Differences between Dialogue and DebateLearning to Listen, Honoring SilenceExpanding Our Use of Questions and AnswersLiving the QuestionsLooking Inward, Going DeeperChapter FiveClaiming Our Authority by Letting Go of ControlExamining the Differences between Authority and PowerSharing Responsibility for Teaching and LearningLetting Go by Offering ChoicesReimagining PowerFinding Your Own Way to Be in ChargeLooking Inward, Going Deeper Chapter SixAttending to Our Inner Landscape: Seeing, Embracing, and Transforming Our Shadows Embracing Our ShadowsPaying Attention to Our Inner Landscape Leads to AuthenticityCommon Shadows in Teachers' LivesStriving for PerfectionFearing Interruptions and SurpriseBelieving Our Own and Others' ProjectionsBeing RealisticLooking Inward, Going Deeper Chapter SevenTeaching Who We Are: Honoring Our Unique Gifts The Deepest Call Is to Be Who We AreGrowing in Integrity and AuthenticityDiscovering Our Own TreasuresSimplicityPatienceCompassionLiberationLoveGratitudeWisdomLooking Inward, Going DeeperAcknowledgmentsNotesSuggestions for Further Reading