Engaging with meditative inquiry in academia and beyond: A conversation

Authors

  • Ashwani Kumar Mount Saint Vincent University
  • Bonnie Petersen Mount Saint Vincent University

Keywords:

meditative inquiry, holistic education, philosophy, dialogue, teaching , learning

Abstract

In this conversational MJE Forum piece, Ashwani Kumar and Bonnie Petersen discuss the importance of meditative inquiry in academia and beyond. The primary focus of the conversation is Kumar’s new edited book, Engaging with Meditative Inquiry in Teaching, Learning, and Research: Realizing Transformative Potentials in Diverse Contexts. This book is a collection of chapters written by authors representing a wide range of perspectives, each discussing their own engagement with meditative inquiry. The conversation explores the underlying ideas behind Kumar’s meditative inquiry as an approach for learning and life, and the creation of the book. 

Author Biographies

Ashwani Kumar, Mount Saint Vincent University

is an associate professor of education at Mount Saint Vincent University. He is the author of two scholarly books — Curriculum as Meditative Inquiry (Palgrave MacMillan, 2013) and Curriculum in International Contexts: Understanding Colonial, Ideological, and Neoliberal Influences (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018) — and many journal articles. He is also the recipient of several teaching and research awards, including the UBC Faculty of Education's Alumni Educator of the Year Award 2022. 

Bonnie Petersen, Mount Saint Vincent University

is a PhD candidate (ABD) at Mount Saint Vincent University. She is currently writing her dissertation, exploring experiences of inclusion and alienation in face-to-face and online classrooms. 

References

Brookfield, S. D. (2005). The power of critical theory: Liberating adult learning and teaching. Jossey-Bass.

Downey, A. M. (2022). Mindset and meditative inquiry. In A. Kumar (Ed.), Engaging with meditative inquiry in teaching, learning, and research: Realizing transformative potentials in diverse contexts (pp. 79–91). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003128441

Flemming, C. J. (2022). Arts and letters: Meditative inquiry as invitation. In A. Kumar (Ed.), Engaging with meditative inquiry in teaching, learning, and research: Realizing transformative potentials in diverse contexts (pp. 93–105). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003128441

Jamison, S. W., & Brereton, J. P. (Eds. & Trans.). (2014). The Rigveda: The earliest religious poetry of India (Vol. 1). Oxford University Press.

Krishnamurti, J. (1973). You are the world. Perennial Library.

Krishnamurti, J. (1983). The network of thought. Mirananda.

Kumar, A. (2013). Curriculum as meditative inquiry. Palgrave Macmillan.

Kumar, A. (Ed.). (2022). Engaging with meditative inquiry in teaching, learning, and research: Realizing transformative potentials in diverse contexts. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003128441

Kumar, A. (2022a). Introduction. In A. Kumar (Ed.), Engaging with meditative inquiry in teaching, learning, and research: Realizing transformative potentials in diverse contexts (pp. xix–xli). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003128441

Kumar, A., Caron, J., Kumar, D., & Cook, L. (2023). Holistic ways of leading academic life. Holistic Education Review, 3(2a). https://her.journals.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/her/article/view/2252

Kumar, A., & Downey, A. (2018). Teaching as meditative inquiry: A dialogical exploration. Journal of the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies, 16(2), 52–75. https://jcacs.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/jcacs/article/view/40339/36397

Kumar, A., & Downey, A. (2019). Music as meditative inquiry: Dialogical reflections on learning and composing Indian classical music. Artizein: Arts and Teaching Journal, 4(1), 98–121. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/atj/vol4/iss1/9

Kumar, A., & Fisher, R. M. (2021). Fear and meditative inquiry. International Journal of Fear Studies, 3(2), 53–77. https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/39333

Pinar, W. F. (2012). What is curriculum theory? (2nd ed.). Routledge.

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Published

2024-11-27

How to Cite

Kumar, A., & Petersen, B. (2024). Engaging with meditative inquiry in academia and beyond: A conversation. McGill Journal of Education / Revue Des Sciences De l’éducation De McGill. Retrieved from https://mje.mcgill.ca/article/view/10312

Issue

Advance Online Publication

Section

The MJE Forum

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