Mini-Conference: Benefits and Cautions of Using Mindfulness in Education

346 Main Street,Bethlehem PA 18018

13 March, 2022

Description

Loving Kindness: A Mini-Conference on the Benefits and Cautions of Using Mindfulness in Education This mini-conference will support an exhibition of children's and teenagers' artwork at Payne Gallery, Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA, in the Lehigh Valley. https://paynegallery.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/62640 Mindfulness programs have grown rapidly in PreK-12 public and private schools, museums and community programs throughout the US. For instance, locally, in the Bethlehem Area School District, Liberty High School and Donegan Elementary School have dedicated meditation spaces for students and staff. Marvine Elementary School was also recently the site of research on the impact of mindfulness programs for young children. A growing number of educators regularly guide children and teens in mindfulness practices, which are often followed by art lessons where students create works of art with mindfulness as inspiration. What is often overlooked is that mindfulness practices have their roots in sacred Buddhist religious traditions and there are many misrepresentations of mindfulness and yoga in mainstream, American culture. For example, the literal faces that represent mindfulness meditation are most often young photogenic, able-bodied, white women. Mindfulness is touted as a panacea, and more importantly, presented as a secular activity separate from Asian Buddhist creators/teachers and Asian communities. This is not isolated to mindfulness, as the May 2021 ruling in Alabama shows: yoga can be offered in public schools there as long as Asian words are not being used or taught! To address these issues, during this one-day conference, educators can learn more about the spiritual and religious origins of mindfulness and ways to mitigate negative consequences of cultural appropriation as we use mindfulness principles in our classrooms and other secular settings. The panel discussion will address the erasure of Asian history, roots and words. We advocate for religious literacy, turning to Indian notions of dharma (truth/teachings/law) and Chinese understanding of 教 jiao (n. teachings/religion, v. to cause/tell/make) to question Anglophone distinctions between secular and religious. Both the children's/teens' art exhibition and mini-conference aim to respond to this question: "What role can art and mindfulness play in helping an individual and society build equitable, diverse, inclusive, flourishing and healthy communities?" Plan for the day: Sunday, March 13, 2022, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm 9:00 - 9:30: Check-in and view the children’s art show in Payne Gallery with tea & coffee 9:30 - 9:45: Gather in Foy Concert Hall; optional mindfulness practice 9:45 -10:00: Welcome and overview of the day 10:00 - 11:30: Panel discussion - Confirmed speakers: Maureen Wendling, Executive Director of Shanthi Project Funie Hsu, Ph.D., Associate Professor of American Studies at San José State University - Pamela Winfield, Ph.D., Professor of Religious Studies at Elon University - We are waiting to hear back from Chris Liang, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Education & Human Services College of Education, Lehigh University 11:30 - 12:00: Lunch 12:15 - 1:30: Choose one of four breakout sessions (described below) 1:45 - 3:00: Choose one of four breakout sessions (described below) 3:00 - 4:30: Tea & coffee reception in Payne Gallery Participants can choose 2 breakout sessions in the afternoon: 1) Q & A and informal discussion with panel members on addressing cultural appropriation and other challenges of mindfulness in schools; Two or more of the panelists will stay for this part of the day to provide a more in-depth conversation with participants. 2) Yoga for All in the Gallery (designed for all bodies, including those in larger bodies, those who cannot sit on the floor and those with physical disabilities) (Led by a Shanthi Project Teacher). No special clothing, nor a yoga mat are required, but feel to bring these if you wish. 3) Art Education & Mindfulness: A Hands-On Art-Making Workshop (led by art educator). No art experience is necessary. 4) Q & A and informal discussion with a panel member, art teacher and children and teens who have participated in mindfulness practices in their schools or other settings. For more information about this event and show, contact co-curator, Kristin Baxter, [email protected] Participants can receive up to 7 hours of Act 48 credit. Masks are required inside the gallery. The Pennsylvania Art Education Association actively supports and promotes visual art education through professional development, leadership and service.