Taoism, Teaching, and Learning: A Nature-Based Approach to Education

by John P. Miller, Xiang Li (Editor), Tian Ruan (Editor)

Overview

The ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism contains profound wisdom about the cosmos, nature, human life, and education. Taoism seeks to be in harmony with nature, and using it as a guide can help us live in a way that is healing to both ourselves and the planet.

Taoism, Teaching, and Learning identifies key aspects of Taoist thought and highlights how these principles can promote a holistic approach to teaching and learning. In particular, this book offers educators guidelines and pedagogical examples for how to instil a perspective of interconnectedness into their classrooms. It sheds light on how philosophical Taoism articulates a vision of the universe and life that mirrors the actual realities of nature.

Providing frameworks and methods for teaching and learning based on the interconnectedness of life, Taoism, Teaching, and Learning develops an inspiring vision for education and helps us to see our world in a deeply holistic and meaningful way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781487540951
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	07/12/2022
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

John P. Miller is a professor in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at the University of Toronto.
Xiang Li earned her MEd in Curriculum and Pedagogy from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.
Tian Ruan earned her MEd in curriculum and pedagogy from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface

1. Exploring Taoist Educational Philosophies in a Classical Suzhou Garden

2. Bringing Education into Harmony with the Way Things Are

3. Self-Cultivation

4. Wu-Wei: Teaching with Ease and Grace

5. Balancing Yin and Yang

6. Taoism and Holistic Education

7. Yin and Yang: Play in Kindergarten and the Teachers’ Role

8. A New Vision for Education

What People are Saying About This

Henan Cheng

"Taoism, Teaching, and Learning is an important addition to many influential works on holistic education by John P. Miller. Drawing upon their insightful, cross-cultural experiences, the authors present thorough discussions on fundamental Taoist views of cosmos, harmony, self-cultivation, and the way of life. Taoism and the holistic approach offer a timely new vision of education that integrates the development of mind, body, heart, and spirit. This book is essential reading for holistic teachers, educators, and parents who are interested in Eastern thought and practice."

Hongyu Wang

"Offering profound insights into Taoism and its wisdom for transforming teaching and learning in and out of the classroom, this book is visionary and timely for addressing the contemporary challenges of social crises and climate change. Evocatively interweaving Taoist nature-based approaches with the holistic curriculum, Indigenous perspectives, and Gandhian and Kingian love, this book is outstanding in integrating theory and practice by providing teaching and school cases to demonstrate how to engage this new vision from K—12 education to teacher education."

Heesoon Bai

"This book is an urgent and invaluable contribution to the crisis-ridden world that is increasingly slipping towards the very antithesis of Taoism. Taoism, an indigenous perennial wisdom tradition that emerged in China, reveals to us how to navigate life in a dynamic balance within the polarizing cosmic forces of yin and yang. Taoism, Teaching, and Learning is a must-read for contemporary educators who wish to teach and lead their students to live successfully in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous (VUCA) world."

Ping Ho Wong

"This inspiring book beautifully juxtaposes timeless Taoist principles such as wu-wei and yin and yang against contemporary holistic education. It both casts a refreshing light on the age-old Taoist tradition from the perspective of contemporary education and shows how its wisdom can enrich the theory and practice of holistic education, demonstrating Taoism's continuing relevance today in a world that is in many ways dangerously off balance."

Editorial Reviews

"This inspiring book beautifully juxtaposes timeless Taoist principles such as wu-wei and yin and yang against contemporary holistic education. It both casts a refreshing light on the age-old Taoist tradition from the perspective of contemporary education and shows how its wisdom can enrich the theory and practice of holistic education, demonstrating Taoism’s continuing relevance today in a world that is in many ways dangerously off balance."

—Ping Ho Wong, Adjunct Associate Professor of International Education, Education University of Hong Kong

"Offering profound insights into Taoism and its wisdom for transforming teaching and learning in and out of the classroom, this book is visionary and timely for addressing the contemporary challenges of social crises and climate change. Evocatively interweaving Taoist nature-based approaches with the holistic curriculum, Indigenous perspectives, and Gandhian and Kingian love, this book is outstanding in integrating theory and practice by providing teaching and school cases to demonstrate how to engage this new vision from K–12 education to teacher education."

—Hongyu Wang, Professor of Curriculum Studies, Oklahoma State University

"This book is an urgent and invaluable contribution to the crisis-ridden world that is increasingly slipping towards the very antithesis of Taoism. Taoism, an indigenous perennial wisdom tradition that emerged in China, reveals to us how to navigate life in a dynamic balance within the polarizing cosmic forces of yin and yang. Taoism, Teaching, and Learning is a must-read for contemporary educators who wish to teach and lead their students to live successfully in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous (VUCA) world."

—Heesoon Bai, Professor of Philosophy of Education, Simon Fraser University

" Taoism, Teaching, and Learning is an important addition to many influential works on holistic education by John P. Miller. Drawing upon their insightful, cross-cultural experiences, the authors present thorough discussions on fundamental Taoist views of cosmos, harmony, self-cultivation, and the way of life. Taoism and the holistic approach offer a timely new vision of education that integrates the development of mind, body, heart, and spirit. This book is essential reading for holistic teachers, educators, and parents who are interested in Eastern thought and practice."

—Henan Cheng, Deputy Director of the Center on Chinese Education, Teachers College, Columbia University

From the Publisher