Module description

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Through the lens of Steinerian psychology we explore how, in this phase of development, the child is moving from the age of loving authority (feeling life, age 7-14) and coming into the age of reason, which provides the freedom for adolescents to develop their own thinking and balance in life (the inspirational experts, age 14-21). 

 

In this phase, adolescents are ready to work with their thoughts and beliefs, to think critically and evaluate the world around them. Along with the adolescent search for knowledge, they also search for truth as they strive to make their lives their own. Steiner’s understanding is that teaching through a sense of idealism and justice is essential for the health of the adolescent. 

 

In the developmental perspective of this phase we explore:

• Physical development:  the sequence of growth; sexual maturation

• Cognitive development: development of scientific reasoning

• Psychosocial development 

• Self and self -identity

• Neuroscience and adolescence

 

In this module we continue to build the picture of human development anchored in the Buddhist view we established in module 1. The following are the Buddhist touch points or threads that we continue to weave with developmental science and Steinerian psychology:

 

• Self: Unhealthy self, healthy self and luminous self

• Impermanence: subtle momentary impermanence and gross continuity impermanence

• The 5 aggregates, 12 links of dependent origination

• The three I’s and the additional 2 I’s as described by Tsoknyi Rinpoche

• Kleshas

• The Buddhist perspective on resilience