Pink's "Meaning"

I would like to identify some significant points in the concluding chapter in Daniel H. Pink’s book, A Whole New Mind. This book is filled with deep (for lack of a better word) meaning that can apply to most peoples’ lives--specifically the happiness s/he has with his/her life. The seventh and most important word in the previous sentence is meaning. This is also the title of the last chapter of Pink’s book. In this chapter, Pink tries to explain how “meaning has become a central aspect in our work and our lives” (219).

The “work” that we have chosen is that of education. So, is finding meaning the key to our success as educators? Is it solely the teacher that needs to find meaning in his/her life, or is this something for the students also? Pink would argue that everyone, at any age, will be happier, in life and work, if they attempt to find meaning. Let's examine...

Pink explains that it is possible to find meaning these days when he proclaims that “[…] technology continues its unrelenting march, deluging us with data and choking us with choices. All these forces have gathered into a perfect storm of circumstances that is making the search for meaning more possible […]” (218).

Is technology helping us find meaning?

Not only does Pink allow his reader the understanding that meaning is key to happiness and that meaning is not impossible to obtain, but he also helps describe ways in which a person could, in fact, find meaning.

First, Daniel Pink talks about spirituality. He talks of the difference between spirituality and religion; this is a fine line and hard to differentiate. But, he lends some clarification in saying: “—not religion necessarily, but the more broadly defined concern for the meaning and purpose of life […]” (221). So...

He talks about how spirituality has helped biology and business. As education, specifically teaching English, is concerned, I feel that idea of spirituality would be handled similar to as it were in the business section. For example: Pink says that “Mitroff and Denton discovered, the employees were hungering to bring their spiritual values (and thus their whole person rather than one compartment of themselves) to work, but didn’t feel comfortable doing so” (224). Do students feel the need to bring spirituality to class? If they do—I’m sure that they don’t for the same reasons. How about the teachers themselves?

What can we do to help this? Should we help this?

The most interesting part of this section is the idea that business would be more successful if spirituality played a larger role in a company. Could this hold true to teaching as well? Are we treading thin ice here?

[Side Note: It is very hard for me to write on this subject as I have never been in, or experienced a classroom (from the teaching perspective). I do, however, understand what Pink is saying and can see the benefits of what he is preaching without ever going near a classroom.]

The last section of this chapter is called “Taking Happiness Seriously.” Finding ways for us, as educators, to implement happiness upon our students is key to what they will get out of the class, or so says Pink. I don’t know exactly how a labyrinth (which Pink talks about a lot in this section) would help a classroom—but, I do see the benefits for each individual. This idea goes back to earlier chapters and “Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future” (cover).

Maybe we could teach some of these ideas to help students outside of the classroom? This would ultimately help them inside of the classroom, right?

Some of the exercises that Pink mentions in this chapter are very interesting. A Sabbath day (or even moment as he mentions) could be beneficial to everyone. I don’t know if I’m completely convinced on the Labyrinth idea, yet. The idea of dedicating your work is brilliant; there doesn’t seem to be a better way to give purpose to your work. I think as educators we would all need to check our time. Go over the steps that Pink mentions in “Check Your Time” (243), and make sure that you are delegating yourself appropriately.

Overall I think that Pink is teaching us, as individuals, ways to be happier by reaching more meaningful lives. As English teachers in a 3.0 world, it seems to be imperative that we (the teachers) find a way to teach what Pink is preaching at different levels. Could meaning be the way to capture the students’ attention? Maybe…