The Life News Agency
July 18, 2023

From July 12th to 14th, 2023, renowned educator Dr. Cecile Manikan led a transformative webinar titled "Whole Brain Self-Mastery and Mindfulness Training for Educators." Dr. Manikan, a dedicated resource person at DepEd NEAP (National Educators Academy of the Philippines), has devoted herself to coaching 21st-century educational leaders. Her expertise lies in the whole-brain learning approach, fostering self-improvement, and self-mastery to cultivate compassion for harmonious relations.

The Batch 13th online workshop, organized and sponsored by FGS Humanistic Buddhism Center Philippines and hosted by DepEd Sagay City Division, drew over a hundred teachers from Sagay and surrounding areas. Since November 2022, this series of sixteen workshops has been running biweekly, benefiting 1,600 teachers from 80 TAG (Three Acts of Goodness) schools. Dr. Manikan envisions these workshops as benchmarks and best practices, aiming to establish Sagay City as a model for educational institutes worldwide. Honorable City Mayor Narwin Javelosa, who sponsored the venue and food for Batch 2, shares this vision.

The Batch 13th online workshop, organized and sponsored by FGS Humanistic Buddhism Center Philippines and hosted by DepEd Sagay City Division, drew over a hundred teachers from Sagay and surrounding areas. photo／The Life News Agency

During the webinar, Teacher Lopega from FGS Mabuhay Temple's Project Management Program emphasized the importance of understanding the "currencies" that drive our emotions, both positive and negative. By recognizing these currencies, individuals can invest resources and effort into enhancing positive emotions and nurturing happiness.

The course content covered various aspects, including understanding the power of the self, the heart, and the interconnected impact of one's actions. Attendees explored mindfulness techniques and the teachings of the Enlightened One to become masters of their own lives. Dr. Manikan emphasized the five levels of self-development, starting from an egocentric perspective and progressing towards attaining the higher self. Reaching level 5 entails embodying a mindset of service and compassion towards all beings.

Dr. Manikan also addressed the duality within individuals, comprising the lower self (ego) and the higher self . The lower self often manifests the three poisons (greed, hatred, and delusion), but individuals can reduce the influence of these negative traits by nurturing their higher selves.

From the lectures, FGS scholar John Paul Quizagan realized that happiness can be attained when one purifies his thoughts, and develops right understanding. Sherwin Bacani believes the Three Acts of Goodness can change him to a better person. Charlesten Agana learns that sufferings stop when desire and greed stop, however small one's wholesome action is, it can change people to love one another because all of us are connected.

From the lectures, FGS scholar John Paul Quizagan realized that happiness can be attained when one purifies his thoughts, and develops right understanding. photo／The Life News Agency

The webinar offered educators valuable tools and insights to enhance their personal growth and teaching methodologies. By embracing mindfulness, whole-brain learning, and self-mastery, participants are empowered to cultivate compassion, improve their teaching effectiveness, and contribute positively to their communities.

Honorable City Mayor Narwin Javelosa, who sponsored the venue and food for Batch 2, shares this vision. photo／The Life News Agency