Wisdom Way of Teaching

The Wisdom Way of Teaching is both a manifesto and a manual of what transformative education needs to be in the years to come. I felt inspired to read about the impact of a holistic curriculum that integrates service-learning and spiritual practice. Brick by brilliant brick, Marty Schmidt builds that all-important bridge between the inner world and the outer world. The principles and practices that Marty lays out in generous detail can be applied to classrooms of all kinds and ages. I wish every teacher could read this book!" — Fran Grace, University of Redlands "For secondary teachers and other educators working at the intersection of social justice and spirituality, Marty's book offers practical examples, creative activities, and cross-cultural teaching stories from a lifetime of impassioned teaching. Informed by his deep study of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, this book comes from the heart of a teacher, infused with contemplative insight, and inspired by a love of the world — the broken world that is and the better world that could be." — Vachel Miller, Appalachian State University

• Dedication and Acknowledgements.Foreword; Cynthia Bourgeault.Introducing the Wisdom Way of Teaching.Introduction to Hong Kong International School; Jim Handrich.Part I. Teaching For Social Conscience.Chapter 1. My Journey of Teaching for Social Conscience.Chapter 2. Humanities I in Action Curriculum and the Impact of Social Conscience Education.Chapter 3. Is Ignorance Bliss? Teaching About Chocolate Slavery on Day One.Chapter 4. The Heroic Journey from Self-Focus to Compassion: Mentoring Students Through an Orphanage Trip Experience.Chapter 5. The Elixir Project: Initiating a Path Towards Meaningful Adulthood.Chapter 6 Principles of Social Conscience Curriculum Design.Chapter 7. The Four Essential Roles of Social Conscience Teachers.Part II. Teaching For Inner Awakening.Chapter 8. My Journey of Teaching for Inner Awakening.Chapter 9. The Essentials of a Curriculum for Self-Understanding: The Body-Mind-Heart Framework in Service, Society, and the Sacred.Chapter 10. Balancing Body, Mind, and Heart: Introducing the Wisdom Tradition in a World Religions Class.Chapter 11. Waking Up to the Vertical Dimension: Student Reflections on a Practice-Based Religion Curriculum in Spiritual Explorations.Chapter 12. Teaching Toward Inner Awakening Through a Spiritual Practices Project in SPEX.Chapter 13. The Wisdom Way of Knowing and Teaching: The Epistemological Foundations of SPEX Teachers.Part III. Special Topics In Inner Awakening.Chapter 14. Teaching Consciousness of the Body: Two Practitioners in Dialogue; Sangeeta Bansal and Marty Schmidt.Chapter 15. Non-Reactivity: The Supreme Practice of Everyday Life.Chapter 16. Dealing With the Accuser: Befriending Your Inner Critic; Sangeeta Bansal and Marty Schmidt.Part IV. Reflections On The Wisdom Way Of Teaching.Chapter 17. Teacher Perspectives.Chapter 18. Student Voices.Chapter 19. My Wisdom Way of Teaching Philosophy.Appendix A. Interview about Humanities I in Action.Appendix B. Exemplary "Service, Society, and the Sacred" Final Essays.Appendix C. My Worldview: Do I Believe in a Vertical Dimension?Appendix D. Overview of the SPEX Curriculum.References.