Self-Education, Creativity & Play: An Intro to Language of the Soul

Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is. The only function of a school is to make self-education easier - Isaac Asimov

Asimov puts it so succinctly. His words contrast starkly with a world where the perceived purpose of learning is to check off a box so we can make it to the next step in life. Knowledge of any kind being seen as a stepping stone rather than the end itself. The result often being that the certificate or diploma is the destination. Embodiment of knowledge becoming an afterthought. An expression of a culture that celebrates the individual who rushes through their learning. Often they are what we call the go-getters. People who live for the next thing. A state of anxiety celebrated in a culture of anxiety. A world where appearance is far more important than how we progress through life.

You may ask, why does this all matter? How did we go from Asimov’s quote on self-education to a dialogue on the traps of anxiety and ambition?

In simplest terms, we Heal & Grow as humans, individually and collectively, most effectively when we are open vessels on a path of discovery. A life lived where creativity and play serve as centerpieces of our experience. The process of self-education is one that allows us to explore our inner knowledge and express it in life through the growth and understanding gathered along the way. A playful creative approach. A sharp contrast to adhering to a strict syllabus intended to reach a pre-ordained destination. An approach that begs the question, where is the creativity and joy in such an approach? Where is the personal calling that self-learning asks of us? 

Many studies over the last 20 years show that creative play within a learning process greatly enhances learning. Not just for children but for all of us. To be able to learn in play with empathy, compassion, trust, and intimacy. To realize this fact is to recognize that the false narrative of learning as dreary and repetitive is the byproduct of a system that sees creativity and play in learning as only marginally tolerated. Generally for very young learners and those seen as artistic. 

How then do we bring creative play more actively into our lives?

A key first step is to learn how to quiet our minds so that we can learn our own soul language. A soul language that is an expression of creative life force itself. The Language of the Soul course does so by meeting every student where they are at the moment, calling the student to presence and the opportunities within to engage in creative play. An approach that also enables virtues such as authenticity and vulnerability to serve as healing possibilities in learning one’s soul language.  Virtues embodied as practices of living through creative play. In allowing our life's journey to be framed, kindly and creatively, around how we get there rather than being defined by the intended destination. A destination that often transmutes within a process of self-education.

By being well-rested and present in our lives, we empower meaningful and active engagement to our choices.

Through the practice of Daoyin within the course, we activate an ability to learn and grow more quickly within consistent practice by bringing the depths of our wisdom into play. 

To experience a real joy within ourselves by bringing a sense of earnest calling into our practice of life. A sense of joy that can be accessed even as we experience the less than happiest of times around us.