The Way of Awareness

This chapter argues that contemplative practices such as yoga, vipassanā, Zen meditation, and Tai chi are central to holistic education, proposing that awareness (mindfulness) is a primary path of self-cultivation rather than merely a wellness technique. It explores awareness as a distinctive state of consciousness, drawing on thinkers including Charles T. Tart, Arthur J. Deikman, and Aldous Huxley, and advocates for somatic education methods such as Sensory Awareness and the Feldenkrais Method. The chapter examines Buddhist meditations (mindfulness, vipassanā, zazen), G. I. Gurdjieff's theory of awakening consciousness, and nondual awareness as described in the Upaniṣad, Yoga Sūtra, Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, and transpersonal psychology.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Holistic education celebrates contemplative practices such as yoga, vipassanā meditation, Zen meditation, mantra, Tai chi, etc. Pioneers such as John P. Miller at the University of Toronto and Richard Brown at Naropa University advanced contemplative education. This chapter explores awareness (mindfulness) as a primary path of self-cultivation. Charles T. Tart, Arthur J. Deikman, Robert Assagioli, E.F. Schumacher, Jacob Needleman, and Huston Smith highlight awareness as a distinctive state of consciousness. Aldous Huxley’s idea of the “nonverbal humanities” and his commitment to the Alexander Technique are significant in relation to awareness education. This chapter also argues for somatic education, such as Sensory Awareness and the Feldenkrais Method. It further explores Krishnamurti’s idea of awareness in education. Then, it focuses on Buddhist meditations, such as mindfulness, vipassanā, and zazen (sitting meditation). This chapter further explains the awakening of consciousness through G. I. Gurdjieff’s theory. It finally examines pure and nondual awareness, referring to the Upaniṣad, the Yoga Sūtra, Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, and transpersonal psychology. This chapter clarifies that mindfulness is not merely a subordinate method for wellness but a primary practice for cultivating awareness as our essential nature.