Teaching with the Wind

Spirituality in Canadian Education

By (author) Michael Dallaire

Not available to order

Publication date:

16 November 2011

Length of book:

180 pages

Publisher

UPA

ISBN-13: 9780761855545

Teaching with the Wind tackles the question, "Can education for a Canadian civic spirituality bridge the sometimes incommensurable worldviews of faith-based schools and secular public schools?" An affirmative answer is offered based on two foundations. First, that a national soul can be identified and thus serve as the content of spiritual education in Canada schools. Second, that a reconstructed approach to the contemplation-in-action method found in world religions and philosophy can provide an appropriate pedagogy for Canadian spiritual education. This book argues that education for civic spirituality is of paramount importance as Canada continues its transition from a Judeo-Christian and bicultural nation to a multi-faith and multicultural nation within a secular democracy. It offers a direction that would enrich religious and secular education systems as well as Canada as a whole.
Dallaire argues that spirituality is the middle ground between the secular and the religious and it is in this space that we can renew education… The author calls on teachers to engage in their own spiritual practices so that their teaching comes not just from the head but the soul. I am grateful that Michael Dallaire has shared his work and sensibilities with us in this book and I hope educators seriously explore this vision in their lives and work.