What all does learning or education mean for you?

IN-PERSON MEETING

Topic: What all does learning or education mean for you?

There is a quote by Mark Twain, “I never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

For many years I have been aware of this quote and have assumed I understood it. And to some degree I guess I did. But now, today, I realize I do not know what Mark Twain meant by this quote.

I realize that there is a difference between learning for oneself from ones own direct experience and learning from a book (or wherever) about what someone else has said.

At this meeting we will explore what you or I mean when we use the word learning or education in its truest or most complete sense.

There is obviously learning the acquisition of knowledge and skills in many areas of life in terms of schooling and work and the like. There is even for many people the acquisition of knowledge in the areas of what writers, poets, philosophers, religions etc. have said.

Is there any other type of learning or education that is worthy of one's attention? -

• Learning that is unfolding in this moment? The education or lesson that life is giving me to learn right now.
• "Spiritual" or "religious" learning or the opposite (for those who prefer no spirituality or no religious point of view)
• Learning or education related to "God" or "No God", or from or about Nature etc.
• "Psychological" learning or education?
• Learning about yourself or about life in general?

I might contend that all real learning and education is from direct experience. Yes, I can (and should) learn from books or experts to complete a technical or known well-established skill or knowledge base when necessary. This type of learning is straightforward, easy in that sense.

But is there a more immediate and complete (true) sense of education perhaps what Mark Twain was getting at. or if not, what he should have been getting at.

Please consider joining me/us to explore the question of "what is learning or education in its truest sense".

Note regarding this group:

Please note that a major aspect of this group is to engage in dialogue not debate. While maintaining the freedom to be ourselves and honestly state what we think and feel, we want to generally do so in a civilized way. In dialogue, there is an emphasis on listening to understand, in debate one listens to find flaws and to counter back to win or convince.
In dialogue, an open exploration is primary, in debate one only reaffirms and protects one's own point of view. Dialogue explores assumptions, conclusions and/or beliefs in open consideration, Debate defends assumptions, conclusions and/or beliefs as fact and or truth.

Additionally, an emphasis in this group is to be aware of one's own immediate and direct perception and experience as opposed to simply referring to past conclusions or worse referring only to what someone else has said. Narrative or knowledge considered to be "Facts" are welcome but not to be taken without checking in with ones own direct, immediate experience. This emphasis is meant to encourage one to go beyond a mere intellectual or conceptual "knowing", to a more holistic or healing awareness and experience.

Freedom of thought and expression are valued greatly. There is no designated expert, no guru, no leader/facilitator per se. Diversity of perspective and opposing points of view are frequently expressed and the value of each person expressing their point of view is acknowledged.

Also valued ( and sometimes missing from our group and also from our nation's discourse/narrative) is a sense of true civility and or kindness. When civility or kindness (or whatever you want to call it) is missing, hate, discord, and pettiness (egotism) enter in. So although this group may fail in maintaining civility or kindness in any final or complete way, the importance of freedom of speech in an atmosphere or milieu of civility and kindness is recognized.