Part of a series of Short-cycle pedagogy workshops by IGHE and CTL

Aimed at faculty who want to integrate mindful elements in their pedagogy

In an era of rapid technological change and shifting generational expectations, meaningful communication in the classroom can feel increasingly elusive. This faculty workshop explores how mindful listening, Tai ji, intentional silence, and the idea of the university as a Buddhist temple can help bridge emerging gaps between faculty and students, as well as between different pedagogical traditions. Drawing on insights from the Chinese Arts of Education Lab, participants will engage in brief embodied activities that use movement, breath, and stillness to sharpen attention, attune perception, and cultivate shared presence. These practices are paired with strategies for using contemplative silence not as an empty pause, but as a generative space that invites reflection, creativity, and deeper listening. Ultimately, the workshop suggests that treating the university as a kind of modern Buddhist temple—an environment oriented toward awareness, compassion, and disciplined curiosity—offers a powerful framework for strengthening faculty–student connection and reimagining the future of teaching and learning at DKU.

Small refreshments and tea will be provided for mindful consumption