I just read a really interesting article about use of Transcendental Meditation (TM) in some city schools http://www.newsweek.com/id/139206. To summarize:
1. Some small studies have show decreased fighting and improved test scores of students who engage in a formal TM program at their schools.
2. There is a significant amount of concern that this may be bringing religion into the public schools (background of TM seems related to Hinduism).
3. David Lynch (Hollywood filmmaker and meditator) has a foundation that has provided $5Million for TM research and in-school TM programs.
I have some concerns about this.
First of all, these TM programs are conducted during 'quiet time' in the schools - this quiet time is apparently an opportunity for rest or prayer. Full disclosure: I am a little crazy about my strong beliefs in keeping religion out of the public schools - to the extent that I rallied against the Christmas Tree in my high school (and won, because the symbolism of the tree, angel, and the colors red and green are direct religious symbols). While I realize I'm obsessed about this, I still question the quiet time itself.
Second, I don't understand why a program in meditation has to be one with roots in Hinduism - why not make it part of Physical Education and Health and teach a more generic meditation in the same way some schools have added Yoga to their Phys Ed program?
In general, I think the money from the foundation is probably chasing away more 'general' meditation opportunities and instead of making this just another method to 'calm things down', it is linking to religion.
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2 comments:
I understand that people should not try to convert people to a particular religion in a school setting, but I find it upsetting that people do not even want the holidays recognized or even mentioned in a school setting. Put up the Christmas Tree, put up the Menorah, put up the Kinara candles, talk about Ramadan and why the students fast, whatever - educate students about the holdiays and teach them to embrace knowledge - embrace our differences.
Anyway, that's just my opinion.
If the quiet time is advertised as reflective thought, then I don't see any problem with it. In our crazy lives, we could use a few minutes to be self-reflective. I think it could be an important for children to learn to be self-reflective.
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