The primary setting for learning for kids is in the classroom. For many of us, our youth was spent on compulsory lessons and exams. Curated academic subjects were pushed to us. However, adult learning can be very different. There is an infinite choice of subjects and micro-topics to delve into. We seek knowledge because we want to. The traits of attention & curiosity from a mindfulness practice supports both learning profiles.
The experience of learning
Children are expected to attend school and do well in exams. However, how many kids feel the thrill from witnessing a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis? What will help a teenager to see the connection between a logarithmic scale and being an architect one day? I’m sure you’ll agree with me that we require relevance and motivation to voluntarily devote time, effort and resources to study something deeply. No matter what our age is.
For adults, we could be motivated to get an MBA in order to progress up the career ladder. In my case, I was switching careers to be a mindfulness teacher. On a smaller scale, I ventured into mobile phone photography because I wanted to improve my family photos. Beyond the initial interest and excitement, these learning opportunities require the support of two traits: attention and curiosity.
When we were asked to pay attention in school, what was the expectation by the teacher? Eyes front and appearing to be listening? Today, there is an explosion of content, amplified digitally. Our brain gets filled with thoughts and ideas. Motivation may have gotten us to sign up for a course, or to sit in front of the textbook. But guess what? We will get distracted. How do we optimise effort and intention by purposely directing and sustaining focus?
Self-directed learning
The practice of mindfulness conditions the mind to watch whatever is arising in our sphere of awareness. We do this with self-direction and gentle discipline. What am I reading right now? How can I describe my experience and insights at this moment? Am I still focused on the topic, or has my attention drifted elsewhere? I’m feeling drowsy; what should I do?
With practice, we develop flexible decision-making. Children strengthen their attention by returning again and again to the teacher or the school work in front of them. When they are distracted, they exercise a choice to gently guide their attention back to the lesson at hand.
As adults, we typically feel that we already know a lot about life. However, we have decided to pick up something new. Mindfulness reminds us to set aside our assumptions and ego. We welcome new information with a “beginner’s mind”. We then allow the brain to do its job of integrating and grafting meaningful new data with our past knowledge and insights.
When we don’t know the answer to what’s the oldest tree in the world, our response thereafter reflects our attitude towards learning. We can research to satisfy our curiosity, or it may sound trivial and we ignore the question. Alternatively, we are so busy with our lives that this is irrelevant right now, even though we may be interested. Are we mindful enough to tell the difference?
Next steps: Learn about mindfulness and what happens in the brain during mental training to support your journey of lifelong learning.
