Holistic Education with Zen Benefiel
Download MP3At the tender age of 18, Zen Benefiel experienced a profound near-death experience (NDE) that became the gateway to a lifetime of profound transformation and exploration. During this remarkable event, Zen found himself on the threshold between life and death, experiencing a profound shift in consciousness and an intimate connection with the divine. Zen's NDE became the catalyst for his lifelong journey of self-discovery, leading him to explore diverse spiritual traditions, engage in scientific research, and seek out wisdom teachings from ancient cultures. This transformative experience continues to shape his perspective, infusing his work as an author, leader, speaker, and podcast host with a profound sense of compassion, authenticity, and reverence for the mysteries of existence.
Key Takeaways:
Key Takeaways:
- We need to focus on some of the ancient and indigenous teachings rather than just the academic and physical ones we currently do.
- We are not listening to students enough and neglecting the social emotional aspect of learning along with how to learn instead of just hitting a standard.
- If students are emotionally available to learn, they will not be able to learn.
- You can't change a system without changing the people in it first because the people are the system
- We currently teach people to think and then feel where we should be focusing on feeling and then thinking.
- Control is the default when we are afraid and don't know the answer.
- We can only engage in meaningful self examination, if we are psychologically safe and intellectually humble enough to do so.
- Where we focus our attention and intention is where we will achieve.
- Everything in life is a choice and it's our perception based on our perspective that guides us in making them.
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Who am I?
I’ve been an educator in Massachusetts for 23 years. I’m finishing my 16th year as a building leader. I’m a teacher centered Principal and passionate about continuous improvement and the idea that success is not a destination, but a process. I’m active on social media, vlog about continuous improvement on a weekly basis, and wrote a book also called SEEing to Lead as a way to help everyone improve education as a whole by promoting my “just cause”: improving the educational experience for as many people as possible by being purposeful, acting with integrity, and building character.
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Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."
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This show is part of the Be Podcast Network. Our podcasts go beyond education as we know it — in any learning environment, formal or informal — and help you be the change you want to see. Learn more about the network and all our shows at https://bepodcast.network
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