Contemplation in Education

Abstract

The word contemplation is derived from Latin, meaning 'to mark out a space for observation.' In ancient times, a space so marked often had religious significance as a place designated for philosophical or spiritual practices. Today the space marked out for contemplation is likely to be the classroom, art studio, or science laboratory. In recent years the connection between contemplation and learning has become increasingly appreciated, and contemplative practices are finding their way into many secular educational settings from kindergarten, elementary and high schools to community colleges, universities, and professional schools. Perhaps we should not be surprised at this remarkable development, because the long history of contemplative practice has had as its foremost goal, the refinement of the human being, a goal which educators today surely share with those of long ago. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)