Community life is one of the important aspects of Jesuit life. It helps us to remain connected to each other and at the same help us to grow together as members of the same Society. Community plays vital role in teaching and learning as well. “Community cannot take root in a divided life; only as we are in communion with ourselves can we find community with others. I firmly believe that to teach is to create a space in which the community of truth is practiced,” (Palmer, P. 90). Palmer says that we need the therapeutic, civic and marketing models on the kind of community that education requires (P. 90). I do agree with his propositions.
Truth plays very important role in the community. Palmer says that truth is an eternal conversation about things that matter, conducted with passion and discipline (P.104). Knowledge we possess is truly the result of the outcome of community. We can never say that I got knowledge in isolation. There is always direct or indirect influence of the community in each one of us. According to our Christian belief we say that what happens in life is because of God’s plan. So also knowing, teaching and learning are grounded in sacred soil. We all need to nurture and nourish our vocation as teacher in order to cultivate the sense of the sacred as exclaims Palmer. Once we are able to see the sacred then it becomes easier to see goodness in everything around us, in persons (students) and whole surroundings. Where there is experience of sacred there is experience of God too. How wonderful it would be if every teacher experiences that in his or her life!
Blessed be God!
ReplyDeleteDear Bipin,
How are you doing?
We really missed you in class!
You said, "Community life is one of the important aspects of Jesuit life. It helps us to remain connected to each other and at the same help us to grow together as members of the same Society" For us SJS sisters, community is also one of the greatest values in the Congregation.
Many times in prayer, I thank God for the grace of living in community. I remember one of the sisters once made a noise signifing disagreetment...I couldn't understand it. Then I got it, she disagreed with me because she didn't experience this grace...It helped me realize we understand the reality of community in different ways. It is a process to really feel as a living member of the community.
Blessed be God!
ReplyDeleteHi Bipin! Hope you are fine. When you quote Palmer, "only as we are in communion with ourselves can we find community with others." so true because we are transmit it this whether we want it or not.That's why it is important to nurture our soul and be in communion with God by praying.
The wonderful and challenging opportunity to live in community as you mentioned as Jesuit. It is great. I felt that what I have learned the most about being a sister or a teacher it is because of my community.
Hello Bipin! Class is very different without you and Vinod! I hope you both are doing well.
ReplyDeleteCommunity is such an important aspect that we all have in our lives both in and out of the classrooms. Without trust we do not have a basis for a community. I loved that you said that we all need to nurture ourselves and our vocation. That is so true! In order to be great educators we need to take care of ourselves!
Hi Bipin! You and Vinod are sorely missed!! Your blogs are so deep and insightful and I love reading them. You are absolutely right that we need to nourish the sacred soil that our teaching is rooted in. Doing this honors the vocation God has called us to do and honors Him. Imagine the empowerment teachers would have if they looked at professional or spiritual growth as nourishing sacred soul? Puts a whole different perspective on it! Take care and say hello to Vinod. God bless.
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