Pragmatism and Empiricism in American Religious Thought Unit and Transformative Scholarship and Pedagogy Unit Papers Session

This paper addresses the urgent need for developing pedagogical practices that cultivate relationality, openness, and conscientização amidst what Henry Giroux (via hooks and Freire) has named as the current rise of political authoritarianism, anti-intellectualism, fascism, white supremacy, and the assault on critical education and pedagogy. Through the lens of "Deepening Belonging," a co-created contemplative practice by two educators of color, we explore how nurturing of belonging and relational flourishing can serve as foundational to democratic education. Rooted in the Latin American tradition of Convivencia, this practice embodies values such as mutual respect, adaptability, open-mindedness, and collaborative learning, offering a counter-narrative to the individualized, outcome-oriented, competitive, and consumerist paradigms often prevalent in educational settings. By fostering spaces for compassionate listening, deep witnessing, and embodied ritual-making, "Deepening Belonging" not only challenges oppressive structures through spiritual awareness but also nurtures the capacities necessary for creative democratic engagement and civic participation.