The following is an abstract of the keynote address given by Stephen K. Mittelstet at Innovations 1999 in New Orleans, LA, June 22, 1999

Teacher and Leader Formation in the Community College: Heart of the Mind-Body-Spirit Work

Stephen K. Mittelstet, President, Richland College, TX

Ceremony to Begin Anew

We come back to live in the wonderful present; to plant our heart’s garden with good seeds; and to make strong foundations of understanding and love. We follow the way of mindfulness, the practice of being still, looking and understanding deeply. . . We want to speak lovingly, to be affectionate, to care for others whether it is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. We want to bring knowledge, wisdom, and joy to many places, to help people to abandon sorrow, to respond with deep gratitude to parents, teachers, and friends. This is our deepest aspiration. Let us begin anew.

Adapted from a Buddhist ceremony originating more than 500 B.C. Thich Nhat Hanh. Plum Village Chanting Book, Parallax Press, P.O. Box 7355, Berkley, CA 94707 p. 70.

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