The Living Classroom: Teaching and Collective Consciousness (Suny Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology) [Paperback]

Christopher M. Bache (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0791476464 | ISBN-13: 978-0791476468

Describes the emergence of powerful fields of consciousness that influence students' learning and personal transformation.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This pioneering work in teaching and transpersonal psychology explores the dynamics of collective consciousness in the classroom. Combining scientific research with personal accounts collected over thirty years, Christopher M. Bache examines the subtle influences that radiate invisibly around teachers as they work--unintended, cognitive resonances that spring up between teachers and students in the classroom. While these kinds of synchronistic connections are often overlooked by traditional academics, Bache demonstrates that they occur too frequently and are too pointed to be dismissed as mere coincidence. Drawing upon Rupert Sheldrake's theory of morphic fields, Bache proposes that well-taught courses generate "learning fields" around them, forms of collective consciousness that can trigger new insights and startling personal transformations. Moving beyond theory, this book is rich with student stories and offers practical, hands-on strategies for teachers who want to begin working with these learning fields to take their teaching to a more conscious level.

"Chris Bache has been a leader in the quest to rediscover our hidden connectedness for a long time, and his new book answers a critical need for grounded examples of how collective intelligence functions in practical settings. His beautiful stories and incisive reflections will not only inspire teachers but help us all to recover our collective birthright as human beings." -- Peter M. Senge, Director of the Society for Organizational Learning and author of The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization

"This seminal work is an inspiration to all of us who see collaborative dialogue and conversational leadership (including teaching) as a powerful path for accessing the kind of collective wisdom that is so needed in today's challenging times." -- Juanita Brown, Cofounder of The World Café and coauthor of The World Café: Shaping Our Future through Conversations That Matter

"What a joy to read this book by a master teacher with a new vision for educators." -- Marilyn Schlitz, Director of Research and Education, Institute of Noetic Sciences

"This may be the shortest endorsement on record--just one word repeated twice: True, true." -- Ervin Laszlo, author of The Connectivity Hypothesis: Foundations of an Integral Science of Quantum, Cosmos, Life, and Consciousness

"Chris Bache has written an important and pathbreaking book about collective consciousness in the classroom. This thoughtful and delightful read is at the forefront of education for the twenty-first century." -- Alfonso Montuori, Chair, Department of Transformative Inquiry, California Institute of Integral Studies --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Christopher M. Bache is Professor of Religious Studies at Youngstown State University and the author of Dark Night, Early Dawn: Steps to a Deep Ecology of Mind, also published by SUNY Press. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (August 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791476464
• ISBN-13: 978-0791476468
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #886,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Consciousness discussed by an incredibly aware teacher..helps us know ourselves and one another, September 8, 2008

By 

Linda J. Schiller-hanna "Blessed one" (northeast Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Living Classroom: Teaching and Collective Consciousness (Suny Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology) (Paperback)

I am positively biased towards this book as I have had the good fortune
of having a deep conversation with the author by telephone. I found him
to be one of the most brilliant and aware individuals I've ever met.
Reading the book helps me understand more intimately and profoundly
the breadth and depth of his keen and observant mind.
Its truly wonderful to read something that helps you understand others and yourself from the point of view of " sitting in the lap of the
giant"....He makes complex and profound insights accessible and
useable. This in itself is a worthy gift and would be reason enough to
read the book.
But there are also wonderful stories and anecdotes, thoughtfully
chosen and sparely shared, that illustrate, like parables, concepts that
we can all benefit from.
Even if you're not a scholar (and I'm not), nor an educator, nor
a master of anything, but just curious to want to know more about the
mind, consciousness in particular---and how to understand and value it
more....this book will surely be worthy of your time and hold a special
place on your stack of "Top Favorites in My Library."
Highly Recommended. Its unique and lacks self-consciousness. Wise
and comfortable, approachable and readible...you'll be so glad you took
the time to open and learn.
Like myself, you may emerge somewhat changed. I suspect that could
be a good thing!
I have been studying consciousness for about 30 years but from
a polar opposite viewpoint. It was refreshing to see places we meet in the
middle, but especially fascinating to learn ideas I'd never considered at all. Thanks Chris Bache for taking the time to learn, understand, experience and discern, and then ultimately write clearly about all the things in this rare and special book!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deceptively Challenging & Encouraging, October 5, 2008

By 

P. J. Hanninen "Beck" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Living Classroom: Teaching and Collective Consciousness (S U N Y Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology) (Hardcover)

Bache's third book. I've read the two before. He continues to probe the deeper layers of "what's going on". With success. Pushes the limits of comprehension into elastic areas. Worthy of your perusal and contemplative thought. Eloquent, accessible writer. Penetrating deep thinker. What more do you need?

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for any teacher, May 16, 2009

By 

Dana Lundin (Willow Springs, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Living Classroom: Teaching and Collective Consciousness (Suny Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology) (Paperback)

The author does a remarkable job working what could be an esoteric subject into language and concepts readily available to an open minded person. His experiences in the classroom are supported by scientific research, and if utilized, could transform teaching into a more refined and conscious art.
I love the chapter where he shares the essays of students that had life changing insights into their life patterns and gained a deeper appreciation for the mystery and magic which suffuses our lives.