Holism: What is it?
What is holistic education?  Holism is a philosophy that includes balance, inclusion and connection, or in other words, it is a way of seeing ourselves and the world as an interconnected web, dependent on each other to maintain our strands in nurturing order.  Some like to use the terminology of spiritualism, and others of soulfulness.  Holism can stand either with or independent of religious affiliation. 

Presented here are three prominent writers in the field of holism, and holistic education, John Miller, Michel Lerner, and Rachel Kessler with a synopsis of what they feel comprises an "holistic"' education.

According to John Miller (2000), holism is:

"based on the perennial philosophy which holds that all things are part of an indivisible unity or whole.  In brief, the basic principles of the perennial philosophy and holism can be identified as follows:

  1. There is an interconnectedness of reality and a fundamental unity in the universe.
  2. There is an intimate connection between the individual's inner or higher self and this unity.
  3. In order to see this unity we need to cultivate intuition through contemplation an meditation.
  4. Value is derived from seeing and realizing the interconnectedness of reality.
  5. The realization of this unity among human beings leads to social activity designed to counter injustice and human suffering."
According to Kessler, education for the Whole person would include seven gateways to the Soul in Education:

1.    The Yearning for deep connection

2.    The longing for silence and solitude

3.    The search for meaning and purpose

4.    The hunger for joy and delight

5.    The creative drive

6.    The urge for transcendence

7.    The need for initiation

 

 
According to Lerner (2000), Education for spiritual development encompasses the following " we want to value the kinds of moral, spiritual and loving capacities that will never be measurable, but that are just as real and sometimes even more relevant to our central goal: to create loving, caring, spiritually alive and morally and ecologically attuned human beings.

Lerner's list includes:

  1. education for awe and wonder at the sacred,
  2. education for love, caring and cooperation.
  3. education for tolerance and diversity
  4. education for citizenship
  5. the world of work
  6. the meaning of life
  7. cooperation and community
  8. lifelong learning