Chapter 3 - Culture of Disconnection

I believe that much of what is wrong in our culture is due to being disconnected (from ourselves, our food, each other, the land, resources......)  Parker Palmer makes a strong argument that this culture of disconnection is due to both fear and the fact that we think in polarities.  In my opinion, we have compartmentalized, labeled, names, identified, reduced, and separated so much of the world.  Much of this is in service of understanding what surrounds us.  Or is it? I think it is time to not just think the world together but feel it together.  Reflect on his statement, "We think the world apart."

Paradox is everywhere and as teachers we must learn to embrace both/and thinking which joins opposites and results in profound and authentic teaching and learning environments.  Do you agree with/practice Palmer’s six paradoxes?  What other principles would you consider in order to design a “space” that embraces the tension of paradox?