David Victor Photography

You must unlearn almost everything you were taught in school about what it means to be intelligent. In school especially in the elementary years, pupils have to deal primarily with peer pressure aside from handling the purely academic. With eBooks, Google, caregivers and/or significant others who can assist if not entirely complete the homework ”intelligence” takes on a non-traditional meaning.

In the first world countries and recently even in a few local schools in the Philippines the phenomenon called “bullying” requires the young in school to harness a new kind of intelligence neither bookish nor utterly compliant. On-line games have honed a more practical often times creative intelligence. Many very young children have not been socialized in traditional schools yet but already have experienced the world through computer games. Certainly these have a new kind of style for negotiating the world so unlike the fear-based rules and regulations they would otherwise be subjected to through their caregivers or even their busy parents. The adjustments needed are hardly perceived by most adults. not very doable is a change in focus. I refer to the soft focus something similar to what can be attained through meditation! Who would be interested in this frenetic world to introduce meditation in school or at home for children? This soft focus consists of not trying too hard, contrary to the traditional teaching. It calls for the mind to think. To trust that the mind will eventually settle on what it was instructed to do. This soft focus can work even under time-bound deadlines. The trick I have personally learned is to trust that a relaxed mind can accomplish more when not harassed, when treated gently. Much time is wasted forcing the mind to accomplish one’s goals. Continue reading →