What does it mean to contemplate, reflect, and move beyond external focus to think about how we think? This experiential course engages the interdisciplinary field of Contemplative Humanities with Literature, Visual Arts, Music, Neuroscience, Health, Psychology, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and related studies. Humans are social, biological, aesthetic, and philosophical beings whose intelligence can recognize or deny our impact on the world. Mindful practices enable us to think and think differently, to shape how we perceive and interact with others, even to expand our worldview. Rather than a passive, isolated retreat, Contemplative Humanities supports an active introspection and integrative investigation requiring presence to show up to our lived experiences and sympathetic processes in lives around us. The course involves a fieldtrip, plus respectful curiosity to cultivate meditative and mindful practices. Related rigorous critical + creative studies have influenced compassionate worldbuilding in leaders from Gandhi to Martin Luther King, Jr. How might the world be if we deepen our contemplative natures?
ENGL 237 Contemplative Arts and Humanities
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