Holistic Realm
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Karam Khand in Japji Sahib |
As indicated in the following verse describing Karam Khand, a holistic understanding develops from great confidence in knowing your truth. The whole can be recognized by integrating the vision with practice and living daily life with qualities such as peace, courage and balance.
"In the Realm of Grace word takes force There warriors of great power and heroes reside and none else They are filled with Ram's essence There Sitas reside in peace and grandeur Their beauty cannot be described Neither death nor deception comes to those in whose mind resides Ram Devotees of many worlds reside there Made peaceful imbued with truth in the mind" (Japji 37) |
Use in Education |
Certain approaches to education reflect a holistic philosophy grounded in the premise that each person finds purpose, identity and meaning in life through connections with community, to nature and to beneficial values such as compassion and peace. In practical terms this would mean centering learning around experiential learning, engagement, personal development, collaboration and values education.
In fact, the ultimate aim of holistic education would be for students to unleash their fullest potential. Instead of narrowly developing the intellectual or physical, in a holistic perspective the educator would be concerned to develop all aspects of the student including the social, emotional, artistic and even spiritual potentials. |
Equity and Inclusion |
As holistic education would focus on considering the whole, the questions related to identity while valid would tend to not be the focus. Instead holistic education would consider equity and inclusion in terms of all students realizing their fullest potential. The educator, while recognizing difference, would consider that all students have the potential and that their commitment to honour each student's gifts would contribute to reducing or eliminating any potential barriers.
So the key question that the educator may ask when considering equity and inclusion from a holistic perspective would be: What would promote a sense of community and belonging for all students? |