Believing in the transformative power of education, Dr. Chow established the social enterprise SouLight Spiritual Education Centre to bring spiritual education into secondary schools. Cheetah Chak and Pamela Suen are the driving forces behind this project, working on the frontlines to implement the teachings.
Serendipity at CUHK
Cheetah’s connection with Dr. Chow began in the classroom during the Master’s program in Religious Studies at CUHK. During his undergraduate years, Cheetah started exploring the topic of spiritual healing, hoping to find answers to various spiritual questions within the wisdom of religious traditions. It was during the Master’s program that Cheetah got to know Dr. Chow. Cheetah discovered that Dr. Chow’s research aligned perfectly with his interests, and he began studying subjects like “Religious Psychology” and “Religious Education” under Dr. Chow’s guidance, gaining knowledge in the field of spirituality. At that time, Cheetah thought that if he could work with Dr. Chow one day, he could bring healing to more people in society.
Eventually, Cheetah’s benevolent intentions received a response. A few years later, Dr. Chow initiated the “Peace In and Peace Out: Narrative Approach to Peace Education in Hong Kong” program, and Cheetah became the obvious choice as a tutor. The two started working together, and now they are not only colleagues but also friends as well as mentor and mentee. Two years have passed swiftly, and the work of spiritual education has been smoothly carried out under the guidance of these two like-minded individuals. Currently, Cheetah is part of Dr. Chow’s social enterprise team, serving as a curriculum designer for spiritual education and a tutor.
Joining them is Pamela, a gentle and cultured individual who graduated from the Psychology program and has a strong interest in religious and spiritual education. She has been involved in work for students with special educational needs (SEN). She has also volunteered at the Small Group Home. She has always been concerned about the spiritual growth of children. Joining Dr. Chow’s team was like finding her element: “I am delighted to hear that some people have already been engaged in researching and promoting spiritual education for teenagers. This kind of education can foster positive inner growth among young people, which is truly rare. Because within the mainstream education system in Hong Kong, students rarely have the opportunity to explore their inner states more deeply.”
Planting Seeds for the Next Generation
Outside CUHK, the SouLight team has entered classrooms in over ten secondary schools across Hong Kong. In these classrooms, students address Cheetah as “Chak Sir.” Students describe Chak Sir as always wearing a smile, approachable, and capable of managing the emotions of all students. The classroom activities are diverse, ranging from storytelling to role-playing, fostering values through interactive sharing and listening, and exploring transformation possibilities. Sometimes, before class, Chak Sir engages students in grounding exercises and mindfulness or chanting practices. These settling, inspiring, and transformative learning activities are highly appreciated by the students. Chak Sir’s classes are not part of the exam subjects, allowing students to enjoy the cleansing and transformation of their spirits without the pressure of grades. Through these classes, students learn to connect with themselves, become aware of their internal emotional states, and learn to communicate with others with kindness. This fulfills the original intention of the curriculum: to help the younger generation establish a healthy inner world and strive for self-integrity.
Dr. Chow hopes that the curriculum can bring long-term impact to the students. “When students themselves feel inner peace, have awareness, and then transform and elevate themselves, that is my hope.” As a tutor, Pamela also hopes that peace education can be achieved silently and subtly. “At the very least, we need to present our beliefs to the students. When it will take root and sprouts relies on the students themselves. But at least we have sown the seed.”
Cultivating Oneself, Managing the Family, Governing the Country, and Bringing Peace to the World
Implementing spiritual and peace education among adolescents has a profound impact. In the short term, students learn to recognize their inner states, embrace inner calmness amidst the ever-changing environment, become masters of their emotions, and learn to coexist with others. Cheetah shared an example: “Before a few classes in some schools, there were students who were engaged in a heated argument, their faces red and voices loud. Coincidentally, the topic of that class was ‘Expressing Kindness and Transforming Conflicts.’ It was perfectly timed. Through the storytelling format of the class, students were guided to observe their own inner processes during the conflict. They discovered that beneath anger and conflict, there are often deeper feelings and needs. Then, the students were able to express their inner needs rather than venting their emotions through conflict or violence. After that class, the students involved in the conflict appeared more composed, showing a hint of remorse for their impulsive actions, and eventually reconciled with their classmates.”
Dr. Chow believes that spiritual and peace education is best started in childhood because children at that age have fewer preconceived notions and are more pure, open-minded, and receptive to new ways of thinking.
In this era of trust crises, society needs more inclusiveness and wisdom. When the responsibility of history is entrusted to the next generation, the significance of spiritual and peace education becomes evident. The seeds planted through spiritual education may not bear immediate results. Even though the road may be long, as long as we maintain faith and hope, we will eventually witness the beautiful fruits of spiritual education.
Text: Huang Xiang Kun
