Mindset Shifts in Public Education

An Evaluation of a Contemplative Program

Authors

  • Raquel Shaoul Tel Aviv university
  • Naomi Lossin Tel Aviv University

Keywords:

Contemplative, contemplative education, educational programs, embodied learning, experiential learning, holistic and integrated contemplative education, Mindfulness, whole school approach

Abstract

This article analyzes a contemplative education initiative at a public high school in Tel Aviv from 2017 to the present. It explores the program's development, conceptual framework, and practical implementation. Findings show that the program significantly transforms educational environments by prioritizing individual well-being and self-realization. Over time, it has evolved into a model for replication in other educational systems. Drawing on the authors' experience since its inception, the article contributes to the scholarly discourse on contemplative education by offering insights into the program's impact and effectiveness.

Author Biographies

Raquel Shaoul , Tel Aviv university

Dr. Raquel Shaoul

Raquel is an educator and pioneer in educational innovation. She served as a lecturer in East Asian Studies at Tel-Aviv University (2003–2023) and has led transformative programs, including International Relations in the Global Era and the Etnachta Program at Herzliya Highschool Gymnasium.

Dr. Shaoul founded the Etnachta Program to address the shortcomings of public education, integrating her Zen meditation practice with Educational Ecology. She advocates a holistic educational philosophy fostering reciprocity and compassion, enabling both students and educators to thrive in harmony. She is a Research Fellow at the Mandel Center for Public Humanities at Tel-Aviv University.

Naomi Lossin, Tel Aviv University

Naomi Lossin

Naomi  (M.A. Asian Studies) integrates mind-body practices into education, drawing inspiration from East Asian contemplative traditions. Her research centers on contemplative pedagogy, aligning learners' physical, mental, and emotional states with academic learning. She co-founded the Etnachta program in 2017, which fosters mindfulness and interpersonal skills in both students and educators. Naomi also teaches Indian philosophy and literature to gifted students and offers individualized contemplative mentoring. Since 2023, she has been a research fellow at the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Center for Public Humanities at Tel Aviv University.

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Published

2025-11-24

How to Cite

Shaoul , R., & Lossin, N. (2025). Mindset Shifts in Public Education: An Evaluation of a Contemplative Program. Holistic Education Review, 5(2). Retrieved from https://her.journals.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/her/article/view/3235

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025): Fall 2025

Section

Peer-Reviewed Submissions