I wrote a post on Storify , a website which helps its users tell stories by curating social media. Not only can you read and embed (usually) Storify posts, but you can Like , Comment , or Share any of the individual messages inside a Storify post.
High-tech, no? It takes dialogue to a micro-level.
Give the post a read , engage in some dialogue, both inside the post and in the traditional comments, and then pay a visit to my Indiegogo Campaign, Sacred Electric Grove .
[<a href=”http://storify.com/TeoBishop/pedagogy-of-the-soul-soulped” target=”_blank”>View the story “Pedagogy of the Soul: #Soulped” on Storify</a>]</p> <h1>Pedagogy of the Soul: #Soulped</h1> <h2>How do we teach about mysticism, about contemplation, and about the ecstatic experiences of the Divine in the world? Is the experience of the mystic ineffable?</h2> <p>Storified by Teo Bishop · Wed, Jun 06 2012 11:58:41</p> <div>.@CarlMcColman I think we need a hashtag for this Pedagogy of the Soul conversation. Perhaps #soulped?</div> <div>Chalkboard, City Hall, Chicagojuggernautco</div> <div>A few days back I found myself engaged in an interesting conversation with contemplative writer, <span style=”font-weight: bold;”>Carl McColman</span>, magic worker, <span style=”font-weight: bold;”>T. Thorn Coyle</span>, and a man who goes by the name of <span style=”font-weight: bold;”>Pastor Jon</span>. It all began with the following tweet, which led to the quote below from the book, <span style=”font-style: italic;”>The Mystic Way of Evangelism: A Contemplative Vision for Christian Outreach:</span></div> <div>Perhaps this is why Christianity is in crisis? http://t.co/9ALnsWJa #Kindle</div> <div>”Seminaries are not, as a rule, organized around prayer, <span style=”font-weight: bold;”>nor are they focussed on the pedagogy of the soul</span>. Most seminaries do not help us to map our journeys, find the sacred gifts in the conflicts of our lives,’ or cultivate authenticity. For students, mainline theological education in America is overwhelmingly concerned with critical scholarship, with passing Greek vocabulary tests, and knowing the names of popes and schisms. For many students seminary is like any other school, a matter of competition, grades, saying what the professor wants to hear, and making it through hoops in order…”</div> <div>@CarlMcColman Is the heart of the problem pedagogical, theological or structural? #seminaries</div> <div>@TeoBishop Probably all three. Certainly it’s about how Christian formation is held hostage by scientific/empirical forms of pedagogy.</div> <div>I like Carl. I like his contemplative approach, and I like the questions he asks.</div> <div>@TeoBishop @ThornCoyle In addition to, or perhaps instead of, a "pedagogy of the soul" what about "mystagogy of the soul"? #soulped</div> <div>@TeoBishop @thorncoyle Or would a "mystical pedagogy" by definition by a "mystagogy"?#soulped</div> <div>As a Pagan with Christian roots, and a proponent of interfaith dialogue, I believe that engaging in conversations with people like Carl, a Christian with Pagan roots, is way of bridging the gap; a reaching for deeper understanding about our commonalities rather than an argument about our differences. I discovered in this short conversation that meaningful dialogue can be born and develop in even the smallest, 120 character spaces.</div> <div>.@CarlMcColman @thorncoyle I wonder: can pedagogy be mystical? #soulped</div> <div>.@TeoBishop @CarlMcColman Pedagogy is often the attempt to ‘eff the ineffable’ and mysticism has a direct experience w/that! #soulped</div> <div>@TeoBishop @thorncoyle Mystagogy: "showing a few chords" = training in meditative practice, contemplation, befriending the shadow, etc.</div> <div> <p>I’m not sure what it is about the phrase “<span style=”font-weight: bold;”>Pedagogy of the Soul</span>” that speaks to me so deeply. <a href=”http://www.patheos.com/blogs/bishopinthegrove/archives/looking-a-little-closer-at-pagan-leaders-clergy-and-teachers/” target=”_blank”>When we unpacked the roles of teacher, leader and clergy a couple weeks back</a>, it was the role of the teacher that seemed to be the least in conflict with my readership.</p> <p>It’s easy to understand how we can each be teachers, and how we need teachers in different areas of our lives.Pedagogy (the study of learning) is an interesting word to pair with “the soul.” How do we begin to approach the topic of teaching mystical things? I’m fascinated, and a little dazed by the idea. When I ask that question, something stirs deep within.</p> </div> <div>@TeoBishop @pohl_jon @thorncoyle "The mystic is not a special kind of person; each person is a special kind of mystic." —Wiliam McNamara</div> <div> <p>I love that quote.</p> <h2>I’m curious: <span style=”font-weight: bold;”>do you think of yourself as a mystic? </span></h2> <p>Does mysticism appeal to you, and is it a part of your spiritual work? For some, their religious expression is pragmatic, or ritualized. For others, it feels more fluid and inspiration-driven. Perhaps there is a spectrum, and you fall somewhere on that spectrum.</p> <p>If what William McNamara said was correct, that we are each a special kind of mystic, what kind of mystic are you?</p> </div> <p>
