Mindfulness-based teacher transformation can be reframed through Freirean critical consciousness

Evidence

Change thus occurs, not as the primary goal, but rather as a by-product of the deeper engagement of one’s attention inherent in mindfulness practices. As Thich Nhat Hanh (1999) states, “when mindfulness … embraces all our mental formations … (it) shines its light upon them and helps them to transform” (p. 75, as cited by Hyland, 2014). Mindful attention, therefore, acts through a person, provoking new understandings about one’s inner and outer conditions, and naturally causes transformation. In Freirean terms, mindful teachers develop a critical consciousness that helps them to see oppressive conditions, provoking them to work toward liberation and transformation (Freire, 1970). I believe that such a transformation has the potential to support teachers in redefining the profession and eliminating the “many forces that deaden the self” (Higgins, 2011, p. 2). — James D. Kirylo (ed.), Reinventing Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 694

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed and the book’s broader premise of critical consciousness, and its conversation with Buddhism’s engaged attention recalls similar synthesizing moves in the rest of this volume. — connects to: Critical consciousness in teachers is fostered by sustained multimodal reflection and ongoing dialogue — James D. Kirylo (ed.), Reinventing Pedagogy of the Oppressed:…, 361; Community-centered teacher education cultivates critical consciousness in future educators — James D. Kirylo (ed.), Reinventing Pedagogy of the Oppressed:…, 366; Mindfulness for teachers can be an act of liberation, not just stress relief. — James D. Kirylo (ed.), Reinventing Pedagogy of the Oppressed:…, 660 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Mindful bidirectional attention produces the critical consciousness Freire described. #corroborates (0.85)
• Teachers’ own consciousness gaps block culturally relevant pedagogy from actually using critical consciousness. #expands (0.72) — James D. Kirylo (ed.), Reinventing Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 249