Awakening the Spirit
Dr. Lisa Miller on Spirituality and Education
Keywords:
Holistic Education, spirituality in education, Lisa Miller, awakened brain, Awakened Schools Institute, Collaborative for Spirituality in Education, democracyAbstract
In this illuminating interview, Dr. Lisa Miller, Professor of Psychology and Education at Columbia University Teachers College and a pioneer in the field of spirituality and education, discusses the profound impact of nurturing the spiritual core in children and educators. Interviewed by Renee Owen and Paul Freedman, co-editors of the Holistic Education Review, Dr. Miller shares her journey from groundbreaking research in the neuropsychology of spirituality to founding the Spirituality, Mind, Body Institute.
The conversation highlights the concept of the “awakened brain,” a neurocognitive capacity for perceiving connection and oneness, and explores the benefits of spiritually supportive school cultures, including increased resilience, ethical development, and well-being in children. Practical applications, such as the 12 Drivers of Spiritually Supportive Schools, are presented as actionable strategies for educators. Dr. Miller’s insights underscore the role of spirituality in fostering a democracy, where schools prepare students not just for individual flourishing but for meaningful participation in a connected, compassionate society.
