I see it. I hear it. I touch it.
That’s how we learn, by using our senses. The more you can use all your senses, the better the learning, as research confirms. We also each have a preferred way of learning.
Using a multi-sensory approach — namely, visual, auditory, kinesthetic (sensing), and even tasting and smelling — is how we experience holistic learning. Also realize that we learn from our external senses and our internal ones.
Arguably, our inner senses are vaster and more powerful. Even though the outer world holds endless wonders, our imagination offers far more.
The boundaries of our imagination surpass any external structure, which we can see, hear or touch. It’s hard to see the pink elephant in the room, except in our imagination.
We can “see” an endless array of images in our minds. Regarding hearing, Beethoven wrote his 9th Symphony, his crowning work, after he became deaf.
And the range of our feelings span from fear and despair to love and hope, and so much more…
HOLISTIC LEARNING PREFERENCES
People tend to prefer one modality, whether visual, auditory or kinestheic, and sometimes a combination (synesthesia).
If you think of a friend, you might get a picture of how she looks, hear the sound of her voice or words she says, or get a feeling about her. For greater awareness, it’s good to access more channels, so to speak, when we learn or communicate with others.
It’s good to be aware of how another best receives information, their learning style.
If they’re more visual, show them pictures; if more auditory, rely more on words and sounds; if more feeling, slow down and allow them to sense.
AN EXAMPLE OF HOLISTIC LEARNING:
HOLISTIC COACHING AND HEALING TELECOURSE
Here’s an example of how holistic learning works in which we’ve had much experience. In the past decade, we have offered a Holistic Coaching and Healing Certification Telecourse.
The course is conducted weekly by recorded telephone calls (auditory), with handouts and manuals (visual) to accompany the classes.
We also give demonstrations of the coaching/healing techniques and the students practice them in pairs on the phone (kinesthetic) through the wizardry of technology.
Using all of the modalities is one of the reasons students report the classes to be enjoyable with a high degree of learning and transformation.
A HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE
Holistic learning optimizes your experience. It allows you to understand things from different perspectives.
With intention, it can organically lead into a holistic body-mind-spirit approach. Your senses — both outer and inner– are what your body-mind-spirit use to evolve and grow.
Holistic learning guides you into the unknown, where the good stuff (your unlimited potential) resides. It accesses you intuition and higher consciousness, using the senses as tools for your development.
Yes, we are all holistic learners; and the more holistic, the better.
