The University of West Georgia offered an opportunity to better understand the inner life of children. Dr. Tobin Hart, professor of psychology at the University of West Georgia, spoke on the “Secret Spiritual World of Children” at Sunnyside Café this spring.
“Children have a secret spiritual life,” says Dr. Hart. “They have spiritual capacities and experiences–profound moments and awareness that shape their lives in enduring ways.”
Dr. Hart is not only a professor, but also a father, psychologist, consultant and author. His highly acclaimed book, The Secret Spiritual World of Children, is based on five years of research including inspiring firsthand accounts of the inner life of young people. Dr. Hart explores how to recognize and nurture a child’s natural capacity for wisdom, wonder, love and more. He also reports that sometimes these capacities can be a source of difficulty for both child and family. The book serves as a stunning challenge to the prevailing views of childhood; it also helps adults to remember their own spiritual nature.
Dr. Hart is the co-founder and chair of the Board of Directors of ChildSpirit Institute, a nonprofit educational and research resource dedicated to understanding and nurturing the spiritual world of children and adults. He researches, writes and teaches on a variety of subjects including deep empathy, transformative education, spiritual development, the inner life of children, contemplative inquiry, music and the mind and the psychology of mind and body. Dr. Hart received his Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
“This event allows the Alumni Association to really connect with the community on a personal level,” states Frank Pritchett, UWG director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. “Those in attendance will leave with a better understanding of their children and themselves.”
The UWG Alumni Association and College of Social Sciences sponsored the event.
