Buddhist Studies in Tel Aviv University

So, I got back to Israel and signed up for classes in East Asia studies and in Philosophy. I'd love to write about what I am learning and if any thoughts or insights arise, share them here. These are the courses I am attending in:

• Japan's Culture- about the history and development of Japan
• Japan Architecture and Environment- mostly historical and classical architecture
• Emptiness: My Life is Full, My Life is Empty - about the concept of emptiness in the mahayana
• Introduction to Chinese Philosophy - Confucius, Mo dze, Djong Dze...
• Introduction to Indian Philosophy
• Cutting with the Sword of Wisdom: Japanese Zen Martial Arts - about samurais and the warrior archetype (Karl Jung)
• The History of the Philosophy of Emotions - about being human as being a rational being, and the idea of controlling the emotions... and the place of emotions in moral judgments

* I marked the courses that are the most important for me...

M working subject is : Contemplative [Zen] Arts as an Educational Practice

I am also participating in: Meditation and Education: Theory and Practice, which is a MA course in Education. And it is also a research.

In addition, I am a research assistant for an Education research about children literacy, in 2nd grade, using computer technology. Specifically, the kids read an electronic story, which is, by chance, a Chinese fairytale about the 'empty vase'.

Mindfulness Instruction for Children

Hi everyone!

I recently joined a group of MA education students who are teaching mindfulness to 5th graders in a Tel Aviv school. The professor of this course is also writing a research about it. The attempt is to help kids with learning disabilities and emotional difficulties by teaching them mindfulness techniques.
The MA students have learned different techniques of meditation in the Fall semester and also theories and researches about mindfulness in education, health, and other related areas. In the Spring semester they are engaging in practice, so they teach 5th graders through 8 meetings. The class is divided to groups of 2-4 kids, with one or two instructors. I am one of the instructors.

I can write and update here how is this project going.
We also met with the parents once and explained to them what we are doing.

Please write questions or comments!