In Praise of Radiant Beings

This collection of essays by David W. Jardine offers educators new insights into teaching, emphasizing sustainability and interrelatedness in educational practices.

In In Praise of Radiant Beings, David W. Jardine presents a thoughtful collection of essays that spans over twenty-five years of his experiences with teachers and students in educational settings. The essays aim to offer educators new perspectives that help them navigate the often overwhelming and exhausting nature of school environments. By shifting focus away from the typical narratives of panic, Jardine encourages a more reflective and mindful approach to teaching.

Drawing on concepts from Buddhism, ecological thinking, and hermeneutics, the author illustrates how these philosophical lineages can inform the practical aspects of education. He introduces the idea of 'living fields of relations' as a refreshing alternative to the fragmented, mechanistic approaches that often dominate curriculum development. Jardine's work is firmly grounded in scholarly research, extending beyond traditional educational literature to explore themes of sustainability, interrelatedness, and ecological well-being.

This book serves not only as a source of encouragement for educators but also as a resource for graduate students engaged in interpretive research. It provides concrete classroom examples and a robust framework for conducting scholarly inquiries into educational practices. In Praise of Radiant Beings is both a handbook and a sourcebook, offering a wealth of themes and references that can guide educators and researchers in their pursuit of a more meaningful and interconnected approach to learning.