Education

It is obvious to everyone that a change is needed in our education system. Education especially needs to be familiar with the power of creativity. It is the power of creativity, which will help humanity advance. First, we have this strange idea that every student can learn the same way--every student can sit behind a desk for hours with minimal breaks and still absorb what they ought to learn. In addition, when they cannot, we try to find a medical reason that they do not fit the formula instead of assessing their learning method.

In schools, even more so, a child is seen as a body and a mind, but not as a spiritual being. We think that this mind needs to be filled with information from a standard formula. Children who remember their spiritual roots and spiritual freedom may have a difficult time in stuffy classrooms. From the rigid class structure, the lack of free time and lack of opportunity for input, children have no arena to voice legitimate questions and arguments that need to be heard. They entertain deep thoughts and more knowledge, which we tend to discredit. We need to expand expectations of our students in profound ways that allow their creativity to grow and expand beyond the confines of our formulated structures.  High school students are old enough to work toward change. I heard of one High school in which the students are buildings life models of cars that run on alternative energy. This is one great example where the formula includes using their creativity in a way that is structured and yet inspiring to the students involved.  High school students should not have to sit quietly and do busywork, they are beyond that, they should be moving on upward through application methods of teaching. They are emerged butterflies ready to take flight.

One of the roadblocks in education is that teachers and the administration seem to assume that the students know much less than they do. They do not expect them to have special gifts and if they find those gifts, often they do not fit the education system.  They are encouraged to work on those gifts at home or are dismissive of them while the parents are depending on the system to be inclusive. Instead of a wholesome approach to the young person, compartmentalization teaching is begun early. The student becomes one person in school, another at home, another in church. The true self becomes split and unhealthy.   The problem is that the government requires standardized tests where the teacher's main concern is to get the students through the process, which eliminates teaching them things they need for life. These tests are called standardized for a reason, which eliminates all children who are not wired the way they are constructed. Soul knowledge does not respond the same way as intellectual knowledge. Maybe children could work on a creative project, which would reveal the knowledge they have absorbed while the testers watch them either in the room or through a glass window. There need to be alternatives.

Why could we not have WILD classrooms? Can you envision with me rooms where there are no tables and chairs? Instead, can you see beanbag chairs, swings that hang from the ceiling and hammocks, posters on the walls and plants? Students could watch educational films or documentaries, discuss or brainstorm ideas and let their creative juices flow. We make students sit and learn in only one way. No wonder they get restless and are brain dead.

The separation of state and religion has created dull and dangerous schools.  We have gone too far and eliminated spirituality as well as religion.  It is true that Religion and State need to be separated if there is a chance that one religion has the upper hand. Unfortunately, we do not do such a good job in separating the two in reality.  Atheistic ideas have over powered freedom of expression in more ways than we credit. In addition, state has overwhelmed the education system into robotic learning.   The subject of world religions must be taught in schools.  Faith histories pervade most all of history and cannot be separated. Leaving that out creates an untrue history and a lack of understanding or even the ability to understand the motivation of others outside our society.  All children bring a religious tone with them from  home and to ask them to leave that behind makes for a bland school atmosphere. That is not the same as proselytizing. Being against proselytizing in public places cannot eliminate talking about religions and philosophies, which is necessary for a rounded education. Even an atheist should know what religions there are and what kind of philosophies there are. That does not say they have to join one.  We must find a more fertile ground for the morals and ethics that need to be taught in order to put some order and behavioral expectations in schools.

 In summary, the roadblocks are many: (1) lack of moral and ethics,  (2) education censured subjects which lead to untrue knowledge, (3) disregard for creativity, (4)not enough academic expectations from students, and at the same time, (5) unreasonable expectations on students by forcing them to sit in classrooms for hours on end, or (6) expecting all youth to understand the same subjects at the same time. Sneak attack education, in which Companies sponsor new curriculums such as genetic engineering, bringing ideas to students, which would need to be approached with a critical mind, discernment and the ability to question its validity, has become the norm because of the generated income for the system.  What I have seen  with my own eyes, is that while this is true, most students in grades K-12 are not encouraged to question or engage in critical thinking. Often they are reprimanded for questioning. This in turn is creating an atmosphere of helplessness in students and an expectation to accept whatever the teacher tells the student to be true.

Meditation:

This blog and these reflections are geared toward Christians and non-Christians alike with the hope to inspire creative thought. You may not agree with everything. You may make comments if you wish.

1.

Biblical reflection:  James 3:1

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. The tongue is a fire.

For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed, but no one can tame the tongue – a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

Especially, be aware what you say as a teacher!

2.

Envision your classroom. What do you see? Do these kids have labels? Did you put them in a box, or are you letting them be free? Be honest with your yourself and notice if you have it out for a student.

Envision that student now. Let a beam of light descend before you and then place that student into that beam of light. Ask God, the Universe, the Higher power or whatever it is you relate to, to show you the true self and the gifts of this child, so that you may teach him or her appropriately. Throw your hang-ups into that light  beam as well and ask to be released of your judgments.

3. Suggested Documentary: "The war on Kids" (available on netflix)


© 2012 Angelika Mitchell

Growing Up In The Tribe

There are incidences when boys want to crochet and cook, or girls want to do tasks which are by society ascribed to boys. Often parents become furious that they have a "sissy" for a boy or a "tomboy" for a girl. “That is not done in OUR family.”

The family makes a great effort to force the boy or girl into the proper behavior and living patterns of the family. I hope that this does not occur as frequently anymore, but I know it still does occur in some families.

An artistic child may be told, you can't make money with the arts, find a real career. Whatever the “you should rather” is, it constitutes a roadblock to the most inner call of the person.

Spiritual confusion sets in and with that, most likely a form of desperation. Grades may drop. The child may act out in some form or another or become listless and depressed. The child is not allowed to do what (s)he knows he must do or what the child has come to do. Fearing her/his parents (s)he will of course obey. But everything else has no meaning. The person lives in a meaningless world, forgetting why he is even here – living in misery. By God's grace the person will at some point in life again remember the original gifts and meaning of his/her life. But until then a lot of misery accompanies that spiritual confusion. The tribal expectations can become roadblocks to an individual's gifts......gifts which, who knows, may further many people, even a whole society.

The family is here to teach a child many things, amongst them discipline and moral behavior. A family's task is also to nurture a child and protect it.Yet family needs to function with the sight set on the new soul which brings unique gifts to share, even if those gifts are uncomfortable to the family. A family is a give and take situation, they not only are called to teach and nurture they also are called to learn from each other.

Meditations:

1. “This child brings God wisdom to help me learn about myself”.

2. “All things are a lesson which God would have me learn.” (from Course in Miracles)
   
   

Rainbow meditation

For those who are familiar with the chakras (as described by eastern religions), or are aware of the many spiritual bodies surrounding us, you may enjoy and benefit from this meditation.

First envision a red space. It is the most physical energy. Sit or stand in this red space and ask following question: Lord God what is it I need to know from this energy, what is my work and purpose?Let vision come to you.

Journal what you see, hear or feel.

Then take each color of the rainbow, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet and do the same thing. Ask what you need to know in order to fulfill the purpose you have been given. Journal all insights. If the insights from all the colors does not make sense, reflect on them, draw, paint, dance, sing them until they do make sense.

Read following Biblical Scripture:

Luke 15:11-32 (Prodigal Son)

Read this scripture in the light, not how the son dishonored his parents, but how the parent accepted his son fully even if he did not shape up to societal and family expectations. He learned his lesson, and the father celebrates the knowledge his son gained.


© 2012 Angelika Mitchell

Born Into Human Tribes

At birth we are spiritual beings entering a physical body. We are born free and are placed into a “tribe” on this earth so that we can receive the nurture we need to grow up. Truly I cringe when I hear an enraged father say, “I gave you life, I can take it.”  Free souls are placed in all kinds of families and circumstances.  I still vaguely remember this freedom. No human gives any life – we may participate in the life giving process on this earth, but it is God who gives earthly life being. No human can take it. A human can commit murder and return the soul to its spirit state, but a human cannot take life because true life continues past our physical embodiment.

As we travel the human road, we pass through or get involved with various tribes. Those tribes will be a family, a school setting, or certain groups in that setting. Those tribes will be a club,  a denomination or a church. Those tribes are a set of friends, coworkers, or people within a city or a country.

Those who believe in reincarnation will say that we draw close to those we knew from another life time or with whom we still have unfinished business.

As  a Christian I know little about such an argument. I also know that there have been people who were strangely familiar to me. We cannot argue against one or another insight without having proof against it. All these things could be possibilities.

That requires an open mind…..an open mind is a very precious possession.

While human tribes can be of great support to each other they can also be detrimental to a soul's development.  Tribalism can cause the narrowing of a person's mind.

I still remember my father saying: “We are a Wacker,” meaning we are superior to others particularly in certain ways we were living life. These kind of words have been uttered many times in families. History records them especially among nobles.  Wars have been fought because of such words. That sense of superiority traps the soul in what Christians call sin. This thought pattern removes us from others with whom we are one in Christ. We are separating ourselves from the Oneness of  life often justifying atrocious actions against others.

That sense of superiority gave Hitler a sense that only German purity counts while he thought it quite natural to kill the Jewish population.

If we as parents want to help our children maintain their spiritual freedom we must help them remember their spiritual roots and help them realize that we are all one in God.  Talk with them about God, yet not in a way to teach them our perceptions but rather by listening to their knowledge. Our Babies bring much knowledge with them they just can't use their vocal chords yet.

Following story shall show you how a young child is still wrapped in the spiritual arms of God, yet, also moves further and further into the human maze of life.

A family had a new baby. It's brother who was a hellion according to his parents wanted to be with  his sister alone in a room. Needless to say, his parents did not consent. But the boy insistent and would not give up. So the parents put a baby monitor in the room and gave the boy a few minutes with his sister. They all crowded around the monitor ready to storm the room if anything sounded amiss. What they heard was a great surprise, however. The boy asked his sister: “ Sis do you remember what God looks like? I already forgot.”  Why he did not include his parents in this question... one can only guess.

I believe each time a “tribe” receives a baby they are invited to remember God. 

A family tribe can further nurture the gifts a soul or a child brings, or it can be a roadblock to those very gifts.

Meditation:

“I am a being of light and love, created by light and love”

Read following Biblical Scripture: Psalm 139:1-6 and 13-18.


© 2012 Angelika Mitchell

Various Questions and Reflections

I am in reflection over the next few subjects in this blog and will not be posting this or even next week.

Here are some questions for us all to reflect on:

What purposes does education fulfill?  (move from superficial answers to less superficial ones)
Are there purposes it should fulfill?
How could the education we have, support the god-given gifts we all bring?


What dreams and gifts do you have and what roadblocks are keeping you from fulfilling them?

How do the expectations of society keep its citizens in line to fit neatly in the box? What expectations are helpfull, necessary, and which are harmful or a hindrance to growth and evolvement? What are the spoken and unspoken expectations of American society? (Or the one you are part of if you live somewhere else)

What role does religion play in the fulfillment of potential or in the societal claw of expectation?

When is creativity (a gift of God) misused?