Universal
|
Sach Khand in Japji Sahib |
Sach Khand is the most abstract realm and therefore most difficult to express in words. Guru Nanak describes that from the Formless, consciousness and forms arise and expand into the universe. This underlying Formless is at the core or Reality and Being and connects all life.
"In the Realm of Truth resides the Formless After acting, watches and with Grace bestows happiness There are planets, solar systems and galaxies - if one speaks of them, they have no limit There are formed universes upon universes As ordered in turn they are formed Watching the expansion and engaged in contemplation Nanak says: This is as hard to describe as steel" (Japji 37) |
Use in Education |
A universal approach to education would consider universal principles as they apply to everyone regardless of racial, gender, religious, and cultural or ethnic background. When considering principles within education, caution needs to be taken in terms of considering diversity, and to avoid bias and assumptions about what is universally applicable. A common error is to take principles that are in fact reflective of a particular cultural lens and to consider them as universally applicable. Due to colonialism, cultural schemas, often rooted in particulars of European history, have often been imposed across different cultures at times without reflection or critical examination.
Education in Ontario until the early 1960s, was largely based on Christian values and since then education has become increasingly secular in nature. This secularization movement while embracing pluralism also meant that religion and spirituality was largely removed or ignored as a topic from public education. At the same time, diversity has increased in schools due to immigration in large cities, where minority religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism have increased since the 1970s. The oldest practiced tradition in Ontario, Aboriginal spirituality has also increased with many of the restrictions imposed on First Nations communities being removed. In a post-secular age, the secular remains embedded in public institutions including the public education system while the religion or spirituality has increasingly entering into the public space. |
Equity and Inclusion |
For educators and school administrators making everyone feel welcome, no matter whether they share their beliefs has become an important consideration particularly in large urban centres. Therefore, commitment to universal values provides a way of creating a cohesive school community that accepts diversity while at the same time bridging real or imagined differences. This has become particularly important in a post 9-11 world, with the Syrian refugee crisis, and especially with the increased diversity that defines contemporary Canada and Ontario. Schools also need to find ways to embrace diversity, and listen and communicate across cultural, racial, and religious and spiritual differences. This also means accepting irreligious, non-religious and atheist individuals and communities.
Some of the universal principles that would help to create equity and inclusion and that are compatible with contemporary Canadian society include:
|