The Soul of Learning is a groundbreaking book that bridges together cultural work, contemplative practices, and ancient scriptures. Inside each chapter, readers are challenged and inspired to come face-to-face with themselves as they encounter teachers in all forms-from spiritual sages to critical theorists, from prophets to poets, from hip-hop rappers to reggae artists. This book is multifaceted and multidisciplinary. It models the essence of education by offering multiple entry points into holistic learning: somatic, aesthetic, emotional, intellectual, ethical, relational, and spiritual.
The Soul of Learning embodies a pedagogical disruption in pursuit of personal sovereignty. What process must we go through to reimagine ourselves in relation to each other and the world around us? This book offers a semblance of an answer. As a way to bring the sacred into schooling, Keator and Watson courageously connect spirituality, activism, and education through curated readings, guided activities, and intentional exercises. It's a ready-to-go syllabus and hands-on workbook all in one! Altogether this book is revelatory and provides innovative ways to teach and learn, lead and live. The Soul of Learning documents a transformative journey, through the interiority of our being into a revolutionary call for collective belonging.
About the Author: Mary Keator, (Ph.D.) is the founder of Healthy Integrated Living (healthyintegratedliving.com) a health and wellness program that offers interested individuals and groups a customized plan for living a balanced, authentic, meaningful, and integrated life. She is also the author of Lectio Divina as Contemplative Pedagogy a resource for educators interested in learning how to integrate contemplative practices into their teaching methodology.
Vajra Watson is a scholar activist, faculty director, and professor of educational leadership and racial justice in the College of Education at Sacramento State University. She has over twenty years of experience as a teacher, community organizer and researcher. She received her Doctorate from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.
