Following on from the series of workshops that I have been running called “Adventures in Perception”, I am now offering another workshop called “Re-cognition” which will go more deeply into the theory and philosophy of how we develop a ‘whole’, integrated way of knowing and relating to Nature. This would be great for anyone interested in Holistic Education, phenomenology, sustainability education or personal development, both cognitive and whole person.  

The outline of the workshop features below and is also on the ‘Workshops‘ page of this blog.

Re-cognition – Workshop Outline – Emma Kidd

“The important thing is not to stop questioning.

Curiosity has its own reason for existing.

One cannot help but be in awe

when one contemplates the mysteries of eternity,

of life, of the marvelous structure of reality.

… It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend

a little of this mystery every day

Never lose a holy curiosity.”

~ Albert Einstein

Re-cognition is a practical set of skills that can contribute towards developing a relational whole person cognition or perception; a way of seeing that suspends what is ‘known’, and embraces the unknown by developing a pathway to a living knowledge that lets nature; life; a person; or a situation be known in terms of itself.

To develop Re-cognition means employing all of our faculties as human beings, including our intuitive, imaginative, and emotional ways of ‘knowing/understanding’, as well as (not instead of) our intellectual, analytical capabilities. Most contemporary education is specifically directed towards maximizing our intelligence quotient, but to facilitate an ‘understanding’ of the world around us in terms of itself, rather than just projecting ‘knowledge’ onto it, new methodologies need to be employed. Rather than just an ‘educational’ approach, we need practical, creative and intuitive methodologies focused on self-learning and discovery rather than just taught ‘knowledge’.

Through the holistic way of seeing that develops a new pathway is created which is crucial for any attempt at ‘Sustainability’. Re-cognition concentrates on evolving current ways of seeing and by this, creating the pathways for imaginative and innovative solutions to our current environmental, economic and social crises to emerge.

There will be a combination of indoor and outdoor sessions formed of practice, discussion and reflection. Re-cognition draws on influences from Holistic Science; Phenomenology; Goethean Science and Indigenous wisdom.

This course is suitable for anyone interested in expanding their existing capacities of ‘knowing’ and developing new organs of perception. In a professional context it would be especially relevant to educators, coaches, and senior managers. However all participants can benefit from the tools and exercises that they can take home and integrate into their professional work and/or personal practice.  

Be prepared to leave all that you ‘know’ at the door, and get ready to be warmly welcomed into a safe but mind expanding space of getting to know all things in terms of themselves.

Email Emma for more details: emmakidd81@gmail.com