WHY CONTEMPLATIVE HUMANITIES?
For millennia, humanity has searched for answers to the most fundamental questions of its existence. This search has taken humanity through varied terrains of intellectual endeavour. The disciplines of history, philosophy, theology, studies in religion, and classics are salient expressions of this profound endeavour. Socially and culturally, human communities have drawn upon stories, meanings, symbols, metaphors, ideas and practices collectively evolved over centuries of existence to guide thinking, feeling, willing, and action. Individuals within communities have found direction and purpose through assimilation and enactment of these millennial wisdoms.
Millennial wisdoms across civilizations
In times of crises and disruptions, millennial wisdoms across human civilizations have informed, inspired, and invigorated human existence and flourishing in spite of odds. Our present age of techno-disruption is no exception. The massive changes that may conceivably come in the near to medium-term future call for creative responses on humanity's part. Global humanities — the study of varied disciplines of the liberal arts across diverse cultures — is thus an imperative and potential resource for finding fresh ways to meet the disruptive challenges of our 21st century.
Mystagogies for Life
In addition, several human cultures (especially India) have evolved pedagogies of contemplation — ethical, mental, and spiritual cultivation towards transcendence and liberation of the limited individual — that open up vast human potentials and possibilities. Contemplative modes and methodologies of awareness are indispensable and valuable resources for contemporary education. I call these contemplative methodologies "mystagogies" or inner processes for realizing the mystical dimensions of life.
Every good reason for global contemplative humanities
We believe that exposing minds to global humanities and contemplative pedagogies is crucial to producing spiritually mature, profoundly wise and contemplatively enlightened individuals in touch with themselves and their ultimate purpose. On a broader contextual level, global humanities and contemplative wisdoms can contribute creatively to a wisdom-based society — moving beyond Smart to Wise Nation:
Dare to liberate and transform
Couched within a contemplative paradigm of inner science and technologies, the liberal arts can forge life-expansive ways of being through critical inquiry into classics of history, philosophy, religion, and literature in a way that is theologically-reflexive and philosophically-nuanced. Our times demand enlightened citizens that embody wisdom and compassion, immutable peace and uncaused joy, egolessly fashioning goodness in the world with no hidden agendas.
Millennial wisdoms across civilizations
In times of crises and disruptions, millennial wisdoms across human civilizations have informed, inspired, and invigorated human existence and flourishing in spite of odds. Our present age of techno-disruption is no exception. The massive changes that may conceivably come in the near to medium-term future call for creative responses on humanity's part. Global humanities — the study of varied disciplines of the liberal arts across diverse cultures — is thus an imperative and potential resource for finding fresh ways to meet the disruptive challenges of our 21st century.
Mystagogies for Life
In addition, several human cultures (especially India) have evolved pedagogies of contemplation — ethical, mental, and spiritual cultivation towards transcendence and liberation of the limited individual — that open up vast human potentials and possibilities. Contemplative modes and methodologies of awareness are indispensable and valuable resources for contemporary education. I call these contemplative methodologies "mystagogies" or inner processes for realizing the mystical dimensions of life.
Every good reason for global contemplative humanities
We believe that exposing minds to global humanities and contemplative pedagogies is crucial to producing spiritually mature, profoundly wise and contemplatively enlightened individuals in touch with themselves and their ultimate purpose. On a broader contextual level, global humanities and contemplative wisdoms can contribute creatively to a wisdom-based society — moving beyond Smart to Wise Nation:
Dare to liberate and transform
Couched within a contemplative paradigm of inner science and technologies, the liberal arts can forge life-expansive ways of being through critical inquiry into classics of history, philosophy, religion, and literature in a way that is theologically-reflexive and philosophically-nuanced. Our times demand enlightened citizens that embody wisdom and compassion, immutable peace and uncaused joy, egolessly fashioning goodness in the world with no hidden agendas.