What is Spirit

This chapter addresses how educators can integrate a spiritual perspective in secular education, describing an approach based on an integration of cognitive developmental/constructionist theory with principles of spiritual psychology consistent with a variety of spiritual traditions: an approach that provides guidelines for nurturing a healthy development in students, as well as building a strong foundation for their healthy development as an adult. However, the purpose of this chapter is not to present a comprehensive discussion of what it means to integrate a spiritual perspective in secular education, but rather to focus on concepts that are essential to integrating a spiritual perspective, but typically are not emphasized in other approaches. Specifically, the focus is on the general process implied by a transformative approach to education from a spiritual perspective, addressing three general topics: the mystery of Spirit, building a foundation for adult spiritual growth, and the need for inner work.