Reading and Writing from the Heart Contemplative Passages and Reflective Exercises

by Dunkelblau, Helen

• ISBN13: 9781256151340
• ISBN10: 1256151343
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-06-21
• Publisher: Pearson Learning Solutions

Summary

Reading and Writing from the Heartis a college-level reader with a contemplative focus, appropriate for ESL students or native English speakers in developmental English programs. The reading passages included in the text focus on universal spiritual themes that transcend religious and cultural boundaries. Each chapter includes vocabulary and comprehension skills exercises to develop proficiency in handling college level material. Also included are contemplative exercises to help students deepen their connection with the topics and gain insight into the ideas presented in the passages from a meaningful personal perspective. This reader was conceived out of the author's personal experience using a contemplative curriculum in her advanced level college ESL reading classes, and as a response to the rapidly growing interest in bringing spirituality, meditation and secular contemplative practices into college and university classrooms.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Introduction viii

Chapter 1: THE SEARCH FOR MEANING 1

Passage 1: The Yearning for Meaning by Jorge Waxemberg

Chapter 2: WHO AM I? 6

Passage 1: Advice from a Caterpillar by Lewis Carroll

Passage 2: Pondering: Who Am I? by Tomas Agosin, M.D.

Chapter 3: INNER SILENCE 13

Passage 1: Just Listen by Rachel Naomi Remen

Passage 2: Opening Ourselves Through Silence by Mary Cook

Chapter 4: LIVING IN THE PRESENT 21

Passage 1: Excerpt from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Chapter 5: INTERCONNECTION 24

Passage 1: Interbeing by Thich Nhat Hanh

Passage 2: On Ego by Alan Watts

Chapter 6: REVERENCE 30

Passage 1: Hasidic story from Stories of the Spirit, Stories of

the Heart, edited by Christina Feldman and Jack Kornfield

Chapter 7: GRATITUDE 35

Passage 1: On Gratitude by Alex Stark

Passage 2: Moment of Gratitude, Moment of Enlightenment

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Chapter 8: WHAT IS LOVE? 44

Passage 1: Essay by Terry Dobson in How Can I Help, edited by

Ram Das and Paul Gorman

Passage 2: The North Wind and the Sun, an Aesop Fable

Chapter 9: WHAT IS HAPPINESS? 52

Passage 1: Inner Contentment by the Dalai Lama

Passage 2: Excerpt from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Appendix 60