Holistic Learning Theory - 1 © Andrew P. Johnson, Ph.D. Holistic Learning Theory and Holistic Education Andrew P. Johnson, Ph.D. Minnesota State University, Mankato andrew.johnson@mnsu.edu ABSTRACT This article provides a brief overview of holistic learning theory and holistic education. It is based on the principle of interconnectedness, a common element in quantum physics, shamanism, systems theory, and perennial philosophy. Holistic learning theory perceives each human entity as a system of interacting dimensions, all of which need to be addressed when educating the complete person. Humans have a natural tendency to evolve. Holistic education strives to create the conditions toward this end. Holistic education seeks to be transformational, inviting both students and teachers to discover their full potential as learners, as members of society, and as human beings. HOLONS, HOLISM, AND HOLISTIC EDUCATION Holistic learning theory reflects the latest findings from quantum physics as well as ancient ideas related to shamanism, Gnostic Christianity, and perennial philosophy. Holistic comes from the word ‘holon’ which is a whole that is also a part. That is, each little part of the whole contains the whole within. For example, in the smallest bit of matter is found the building blocks for the universe in the same way that each individual cell in our body carries the DNA of the whole person. We could no more understand the universe by examining only bits of physical matter than we could understand a human being by studying only bits of his or her physical matter. Humans and universes are much more than a sum of their physical parts. Holism and Interconnectedness Holism is a thesis that states that the universe is made up of integrated wholes that cannot be reduced to the sum of their parts. We can never come to know the whole of reality by isolating variables in order to examine small parts. Science cannot come to understand and explain how the universe works by taking it apart the way one would take apart a mechanical clock. Any entity (human, universe, sheep, school, classroom, curriculum, concept, subject matter) is best understood by examining the principles that govern behavior within the system. Holistic education is based on theories of holism. There are many philosophical and practical derivations of holistic learning theory; however, one unifying principle is an that everything in the world (or in the universe) is interconnected (Clark, 1991). We see this principle of interconnectedness in quantum physics where all things in the physical universe are said to be connected at the quantum level (Al-Khalili, 1999; Talbot, 1991). Indeed, at this level there are not individual physical things; rather, there are only many physical manifestations that are variations on a single, unified cosmic theme which the Buddhist mystic Thich Nhat Hanh (1998) calls the Ground of All Being or what physicist David Bohm (1980) calls implicate reality. Quantum is a term used to denote the smallest physical unit or thing that can still be recognized. At this level, there is no fragmentation, only parts that are interconnected with greater systems and greater wholes. The idea of interconnectedness is also illustrated in systems theory, which views the universe and all things in it in terms of interconnected systems (Von Bertalanffy, 1968). From this perspective reality is a unified, organizing whole comprised of self-organizing systems that are both interdependent and interactive. Any change in one entity or