Narration Makes Us Human

Saint John of Kronstadt writes, "What should our most important [concern] be when educating the youth? We must chiefly strive to enlighten the eyes of their understanding (Eph 1:18). Have you not noticed that our heart acts first in our life, and in nearly all acquisition of knowledge the heart sees certain truths (ideas) before the mind comes to understand them? This is how knowledge is acquired: the heart understands at once, indivisibly, instantaneously; afterward, this single action of the heart's vision is transmitted to the mind, and there divided into categories such as 'preceding' or 'subsequent.' The sight of the heart is analyzed by the mind."

Educating the heart is the essential work of an educator. What good is it for a student to gain knowledge of the whole world and yet lose his soul? The heart is not accessed by the mind; it is the other way around. The heart reaches out in desire to know before the mind can articulate the nature of the query. The heart understands intuitively that Bridal Veil falls is sublime, that the wings of a dragon fly are magical, and that the eyes are the window to the soul. What makes these truths what they are can be considered by the mind analytically and can be useful. However, analysis does not transform hearts, wonder does. Beginning a lesson with analysis bypasses the heart like an IV bypasses the digestive system. Give the heart its proper food first. Invite the student to the feast of ideas. In the classroom, the most practical way to educate the heart through wonder and ideas is by regular narration.

The first encounter with an idea is like the first encounter with a living person. "How do you do?" is an open question that allows a relationship to unfold. Friendships do not begin with the exchanging of resumes any more than friendships with books should begin with historic-analytical digressions. A narration is an open question. "What did you notice?" allows a book to relax and be itself in the presence of new company.

Narration can help make students more human, in so far as being human means to have an enlightened heart. Saint John continues: "The idea belongs to the heart and not to the mind. In other words, it belongs to the inner man, not to the outer man. Therefore, to have the eyes of their understanding enlightened (Eph 1:18) is a very important matter in acquiring knowledge, but especially the truth of faith and moral law." An idea is the living thing that captures the heart. An idea tamed through analysis is no longer the wild thing of the jungle; rather it is the beast behind bars, not quite fully monster, but not quite fully tame. Real ideas capture us, and weighty ideas devour us, keeping us up at night. To have the eyes of the understanding enlightened, means to be captured by spiritual truths, by Grace.