Description.
Transpersonal or "New Age" education (the terms are not necessarily
equivalent) incorporates spiritual methods into children’s learning
that are characteristically based on Eastern mysticism and certain
aspects of occult practice. Various forms of transpersonal and
humanistic psychology may also be advocated.
Founder. None per se.
Transpersonal education seems to have developed as a result of 1) the
terrible crises in modern education, which has opened the doors to
experimentation with new methods, and 2) the revival of Eastern and
occult practices in American culture.
How does it claim to work?
Transpersonal educators claim that their methods will improve the
children’s self-esteem, their learning abilities and potential, and,
among other things, expand their horizons and help them become better
citizens of a global community.
Scientific evaluation.
Subject to interpretation. In some areas of research (e.g., humanistic
education) a good deal of work has been done. However, this must be
evaluated carefully from a biblical perspective to understand both the
reasons for and implication of favorable outcomes. Teaching or
counseling children by means of Eastern or occult practices and
psychotherapeutic or humanistic methods may "work," but in what manner
and at what cost spiritually?
Examples of occult
potential. It appears that a large number of different Eastern
religious and occult methods are utilized throughout New Age
education.
Major problems. 1) The
promotion of religion in the public school classroom is a violation of
federal law; 2) the disguising of religious methods and beliefs under
secular or neutral terminology; 5) the use of unsubstantiated and
inappropriate psychotherapeutic methods is a violation of the Hatch
Amendment; 4) self-esteem programs, values clarification methods,
affective education, and related trends are either ineffective,
morally bankrupt, or potentially harmful.
Biblical/Christian
evaluation: Educational philosophies or methods based on Eastern
or occult philosophy, or inappropriate psychotherapeutic methods, are
to be avoided.
