The Soul of Education

Inspiring Spiritually Compassionate Changemakers
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-032-78397-0
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 296 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm

The Soul of Education is a deeply integrative exploration (both spiritual and secular) of what it means to reclaim the moral, spiritual, and relational heart of schooling. Drawing together contemporary educational research, insights from Vedic philosophy, and lived practice, the book invites readers to re-examine the purposes and possibilities of education in a rapidly changing world.

Through interconnected chapters, the authors present a soul-led vision of education, grounded in teachings from the Bhagavad Gita and Vedic thought. They explore how values, virtues, and beliefs shape character, agency, and wellbeing in school life, while critiquing the performative pressures and utilitarian aims that have eroded the “soul” of modern schooling. Central to the book is the Tree of Life framework, which integrates Educational Excellence, Character Formation, and Spiritual Insight to create a holistic ecology of learning. Practical examples and classroom anecdotes illustrate how educators and parents can foster inner growth through listening, reflection, service, and compassionate action.

This book is ideal for educators, parents, policymakers, and anyone invested in the future of education. It speaks to those seeking alternatives to materialism and performativity, offering tools to address the challenges of growing up in a technologically advanced, socially fragmented world.

Zielgruppe

Professional Practice & Development, Professional Reference, and Professional Training

Autoren/Hrsg.

Biddulph, James

Gor, Nitesh

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Teildisziplinen der Pädagogik Multikulturelle Pädagogik, Friedenserziehung
• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Lehrerausbildung, Unterricht & Didaktik Methoden des Lehrens und Lernens

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Part A: Preparing for a Journey: An Invitation  1. An Invitation to Join Us in the Search for the Soul of Education 2. Making Sense of the Soul of Education 3. Viewing the Battlefields of Education and Life 4. Viewing the Battlefields in Life: An Age of Quarrel and Hypocrisy 5. Exploring the Lost Soul of Education  Part B: Setting out on the Journey: Exploring Six Beliefs  6. Introducing Six Beliefs for Human Flourishing 7. Realising Potential 8. Empowering Choice 9. Strengthening interconnection 10. Enriching Diversities 11. Expanding Purpose 12. Nourishing Loving relationships  Part C: Walking the Journey: Living by Virtues and Defining what is Valued  13. Six Virtues: Respect, Self-Discipline, Integrity, Courage, Empathy and Gratitude 14. Three Values: Educational Excellence, Character Formation and Spiritual Insight  Part D: Arriving at a New Terrain: Reimagining a Soul-led Education  15: A New Landscape for Educating the Soul 16. Educators as Gardeners of the Soul’s Education 17: Reclaiming the Soul of Education

Über Autor(innen)

James Biddulph MBE FCCT is an award-winning educator, researcher and founding Executive Headteacher of the University of Cambridge Primary School. Now the CEO of Avanti Schools Trust. A pioneering leader bridging research and practice in schools to empower diverse communities. He was awarded the MBE for services to education.

Nitesh Gor OBE founded Avanti Schools Trust and has inspired various projects, including a dharma-based endowment fund, equity indexes by Dow Jones and a retreat centre. He has authored three books on Vedic philosophy and its relevance for education, leadership and business. He was awarded the OBE for services to education.