I met my first disappointment with Goleman and Davidson (in their book "Altered Traits") today. I can't say I am surprised to find that the two scientists and the University of Wisconsin at Madison have developed an extensive web site and other things to go with it, such as a newsletter. If you are interested, look up the Center for Healthy Minds.
One of the things the Center has done is offer their "Kindness Curriculum". It is built along scientific and historical grounds and offers guidance in developing sympathy, empathy and kindness, especially in young children. The disappointment stems from the statement in their book that developing important traits such as kindness and consideration of others is left to chance. I taught the 5th grade for four years, I have a major in elementary education, and lots of friends and contacts in the elementary and early childhood area.
Just because we don't have a formal subject called Kindness 101 certainly does not mean that teachers are indifferent to teaching kindness and related beneficial habits and outlooks to youngsters. We often say that socialization and related skills and awareness is the main learning to take place in school.
Just as the authors of this book and their staff and assistants and colleagues, I very much want people to meditate. I believe very strongly that meditation creates and prolongs the health of minds. When a child is born, it already contains the beginnings of many skills and insights. Humans have lived very good and full lives with no schooling at all. But meditation is so easy, so inexpensive of both time and money, that it is indeed a very valuable practice, one that helps a person stay in touch with their mind and feelings.
The authors are scientists and I agree that science is probably our best tool for solving our problems and living well. However, it is most definitely not our only tool. Human insight, natural patience and love, in family life and other places, develops and guides us continuously. I feel certain that meditation can assist in extremely valuable ways. But, there are occasional instances of "dark nights", discussed in their book, where meditation unleashes extreme fears and nightmares. They cite the work of the psychologist Willoughby Britten of Brown University who is specializing in helping people who experience unsettling results from meditating.
I know that the American impulse is to hurry everything. Jean Piaget said decades ago the American question was how can we hurry children along through their stages of development. It seems possible that until humans are 30 years old or so, they may have little appreciation for what meditation can do for their minds and lives. I realize there are books, instructors and programs for teaching meditation and awareness of mind to children. Done right, that seems quite valuable to me. But don't insult parents and teachers by referring to their work only as based on chance. In the main, they are quite vigilant and motivated.
