Pathways to Kairos - Exploring the Ontological, Pedagogical, and Ecological Implications of Escaping the Clutches of Chronos

This article examines how clock-time, or the time of chronos, not only dominates proceedings in mainstream classrooms of industrialised societies but also contrives to help sever children from the more-than-human world. It is argued that a strict conformity and compliance to the ways of chronos demands a narrow way of being whilst also suppressing ways of knowing that can be experienced through the perspective of kairos. Kairos is a time when intuitive, sensory, emotional, spiritual, holistic and contemplative ways of knowing are valued in contrast to the rational-logical ways of knowing that dominate in the factory-model of schooling. Drawing on Smith (2020), Jardine (2012; 2013), Keller (2004; 2021) and Abram (2012; 2021), this article explores how our current ecological and spiritual malaise could be countered by an “apocalyptic mindfulness” (Keller, 2021). This is examined through an analysis of an artist-in-residence project from an interview with the artist, Sean Harris.