The Future of Education

How can we best foster creativity in students, in addition to the cognitive training of the brain and intellect? Meditation is a catalyst for creative processes. Since 2010, the innovative Munich Model has enabled more than 1,635 university students to learn the theory and practice of mindfulness and meditation through for-credit (ECTS) courses, as part of their curricula at both Munich University of Applied Sciences and Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. The program also teaches students to incorporate these practices in their own professional work as psychologists, teachers and social workers.  Each semester, 150 students, from 9 fields of study at four faculties attend the program’s courses including Mindfulness in various contexts, meditation techniques, neuro-scientific research as well as classes exploring spiritual teachers and their concepts, the implementation of mindfulness and meditation specific to each degree program, and films showcasing the research and efficacy of meditation and mindfulness practices. Research has shown that the regular practice of meditation can improve not only abilities like concentration, compassion, stress management and the regulation of emotions, but overall physical and mental well-being in general – all of paramount importance to students, particularly as they impact both performance and creativity. These practices calm the mind and body, and functionally change the brain. Students receive regular grades and ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits for partaking of these courses, earned through active participation, the practice of meditation exercises at home, observations noted in a daily journal and personal refection through a term paper. Faculties as well as student groups from universities in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy have shown interest in the program, and have asked for support in developing their own for-credit meditation programs. In this presentation, the structure and implementation of the Munich Model will be explained including conditions of participation, course contents and results. the second part of the lecture/workshop will cover meditation in theory and practice, together with specific exercises for mindfulness. A new project, “meditation and art” – that deals with conscious listening to classical music and conscious looking at paintings of the Great Masters will also be presented.

Keywords: Meditation, Mindfulness, Intuition, Creativity, Brain, Mind;