Connectedness
Definition
(Thanks to Steve and Sally Gilbert, TLT Group)
“What is connectedness? It is a sense of being a part of something larger than oneself. It is a sense of belonging, or a sense of accompaniment. It is that feeling in your bones that you are not alone. It is a sense that, no matter how scary things may become, there is a hand for you in the dark. While ambition drives us to achieve, connectedness is my word for the force that urges us to ally, to affiliate, to enter into mutual relationships, to take strength and to grow through cooperative behavior.”
Edward M. Hallowell, Connectedness,” pp. 193-209, in Finding the Heart of the Child, Association of Independent Schools in New England, Inc., 1993. p. 196
My interest is in writing about “connectedness” in education and pedagogy. This connectedness involves multi-disciplinary, collaborative, and empathic teaching, research and study. It also involves recognition that we are all connected in a universal field of energy and information. Recognition of this type of connectedness is a step towards the evolution of society to a higher level of functioning. Further steps include service to the community and conscious effort to reach out to our fellow creatures with understanding and compassion.