One of the most learned and highly trained American-born lamas in the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition. He is a meditation teacher and author.
“It seems odd that we spend so much time in schools on such matters as simplifying radicals, learning about the War of 1812 and identifying the parts of speech and so little on the personal quest for meaning. ” –Noddings (1984)
I have been thinking and writing lately about what would constitute a truly Higher Education system — a wisdom-for-life leadership, learning, and empowerment process — which integrates ones upbringing, schooling, and life experience into a meaningful whole. Higher ed today seems to have become, for the most part, mere vocational training, although jobs in this economy are scarce and college graduates such as my goddaughter — Bowdoin College, 2009 — tell me they are pessimistic about going forth into this new world. I personally would rather learn more than earn more.
What philosophy class teaches us how to find ourselves? How to inquire and come to our own conclusions and eventual convictions regarding life’s Biggest Questions, such as how we shall live our lives, what is our true work, why we are here-where we come from — and where are we going (to quote Gauguin), who am I, how shall I love, what is Higher Power (however we may conceive of it), why bad things happen to good people, how to get my hands on the steering wheel of my life in order to attain happiness and fulfillment, inner peace and well being, the end of existential anxiety?
Where can we learn and integrate these things today, in order to benefit ourselves as well as for the betterment of the world and to pass it on to future generations?
I think our current economic and sociopolitical crisis provides us with a real chink in the armor of complacency which has obscured American originality and imagination in past decades, leaving us in a learning moment for the genuine light to shine through. Let’s each together be part of that shining.
Lama Surya Das, Concord Mass. 2009
People view college in the wrong way. It is not designed to teach students everything about a given field nor could it ever. Also, formal education is not a substitute for real world experience. The purpose of going to college is not to graduate an expert in your field of choice, but rather, it will allow you to get started in said field.
You probably won’t be able to teach your self about nuclear physics very easily, and the chances of getting employed as a nuclear physicist are even less likely. However, I guarantee that the guy whom spent their teenage years programming video games and collaborating with others on IRC, is going to know 1000x more than the person whom took computer science because they wanted to make $150,000 a year, but never worked on a project outside of school work.
As for “higher education” in the sense of spiritual and personal growth, well that is something that can not be obtained in a traditional learning environment. Answers such as “What is my higher purpose?”, “Do I believe in a higher power?” can really only be answered by your self. However, by participating in group discussions with others whom are seeking the same answers as you are, can play a vital role in your own understandings. Group thinking however can dangerous if allowed to become a think tank.
So true.
I remember very well the deep disappointment that arose in me when I completed my Ph.D. “This is it?” I thought, “The highest degree in the land? And that’s all? There is something gravely missing.”
People are increasingly seeking this deeper wisdom that comes from schooling the whole being, not just the mind. It exists of course already, in pieces, but we could go much further. If there is a way to be involved in developing such a University of the Soul, please let me know.