Holistic education is based on the premise that each person finds identity, meaning & purpose in life through connections to the community, to the natural world & to spiritual values such as compassion & peace. Holistic education aims to call forth from young people an intrinsic reverence for life & a passionate love of learning. This is done, not through an academic "curriculum" that condenses the world into instructional packages, but through direct engagement with the environment. Holistic education nurtures a sense of wonder. Montessori, for example, spoke of "cosmic" education: Help the young person feel part of the wholeness of the universe, & learning will naturally be enchanted & inviting. There is no one best way to accomplish this goal, there are many paths of learning & the holistic educator values them all; what is appropriate for some children, in some situations, in some historical & social contexts, may not be best for others. The art of holistic education lies in its responsiveness to the diverse learning styles & needs of evolving human beings.

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— Ron Miller- Pioneer in Holistic Education