Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Brown, Anne J

Titel

Positive philosophy in education through spiritual path, The Circle of Courage

Ort / Verlag

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Erscheinungsjahr

2016

Quelle

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• This dissertation approaches contemporary public education by applying positive philosophy, focusing on what we need to thrive rather than identifying what we do not want, such as low test scores, bullying, disrespect, and so forth. Applying the positive philosophy, I framed my research project around an Indigenous educational philosophy known as The Circle of Courage ® and systems thinking. My research methodology is qualitative approach, in which I present the CoC® through my interpretations in the largest adult school in the nation and a public middle school. The origin of The Circle of Courage® is rooted in the American Indians’ Medicine Wheel educational philosophy that has been in practice for more than 15,000 years in the civilizations of both North and South America. I emphasize the natural aspect of the inextricable connection to the spirit with the four universal values represented in the CoC®: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. Without such spiritual awareness, we teach materialism, competition, and we become estranged from others and from God (missing the purpose or meaning of life). Our current system teaches our students to separate from the perfect divine source when what all of us, including children, need to understand is to return to this divine nature in order to find meaning in life. Indigenous education principles exemplify fearless courage and model true democracy, meaning that “self-regulate and self-manage,” exercising self-sovereignty, are the centering themes. Education is about being a catalyst to the universal needs of each person so that one can become autonomous. No other civilization on earth offers an educational wisdom that has been promulgated for more than 15, 000 years. Without compulsion or force, the CoC® can help people fulfill students’ inherent destiny or natural path. Simply, it is the path to the greatest fulfillment of life and happiness.