ASCD received more article submissions for the issue on spirituality than any other they have published, which indicates the strong desire to articulate emerging understandings and practices bringing spirituality to educational settings. The article has also been included in an instructional CD-ROM produced by the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Everyone in the editorial office was avidly reading Parker Palmer's new book The Courage to Teach. ASCD recently inaugurated a Special Interest Group for Spirituality in Education at its annual conferences. Over 100 teachers attended each of the two sessions offered by colleagues from the Spirituality in Education Network, compared to a handful who came to similar presentations in years past.
Interest also seems to be growing in Europe.
APS's senior trainer Sebo Ebbens studied Naropa's approach to contemplative education during the mid '90's, and has created a study group involving about 20 of their trainers who are interested in practicing and applying contemplative education in their work in Europe. Meeting the needs for the spiritual education of children is becoming more important to the Shambhala community as well. For the past five years I have co-chaired the Shotoku Advisory Board which has been improving the care and education of children at Rocky Mountain Shambhala Center. Norah Murray from Naropa's Alaya Preschool has served as Director for the past three years. Last fall we received a half-million dollar donation to build, staff, and equip the school we have been planning.