An effective tool for nurturing authentic relationships between teacher and students

In an address delivered at the Catholic University of America in 2000, Chiara Lubich introduced a new approach in the process of education where the spiritual and the human elements are synchronized with one another and become one. What is underlined in this approach is the achievement of the two goals of education, to teach the individual, as well as to build community.

The didactic way to such a goal is derived from Chiara Lubich’s “art of loving.” It is a concrete way to put into practice a central principle that every system of belief subscribes to: the Golden Rule, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

An in-depth study

A study conducted by a group of educational experts (R. Ramer, S. Rogg and T. Masters, 2014) titled, “Theoretical Foundations for Studying the Cube of Love…” a salient point of the study places emphasis on the “Cube of Love’s effectiveness that (may) lie in its coherence with authentic human relationships…” an essential element in the achievement of the educational goal, to form a community. And a technique was introduced to facilitate the practice of the art of loving in educational settings, through a kind of rubric. It is a classroom “activity” for living out the Golden Rule.

How does the Cube of Love work?

The rubric is lived out through a game-like technique called the “Cube of Love.” A short phrase coined from the thoughts of Chiara Lubich is written on each the six sides of the cube. They are: “Love one another,” “Love everyone,” “Share the other hurts or joy,” “Love your enemy,” “Love the other as yourself,” and “Be the first one to love.” The cube or dice is rolled at the start of the day, and the teacher and students alike endeavor to live out that specific phrase; at the end of the day, students and their teacher can write down their experiences or share them aloud.

Three Key Educational Elements of the Cube of Love

The authors of the study took indication from Chiara Lubich’s concept on the art of loving, contextualizing it in educational settings. They said further, “the Cube can be considered part of a process that has three key elements: First, it enables teachers to address concerns about children being prevented from establishing full relationships with others in the classroom. Second, it enables both teachers and students to engage, through a clear and intentional process, in behaviors and dispositions that can be taught and that produce measurable growth in relationships. Third, as the Cube is not an event that takes place for limited time, it enables a lived experience… that has its focus the other, for no other reason than that each person has value in and of her or his own right.”

School cultures based on relationships

Michael James, one of the authors of the book Education’s Highest Aim connects the goal of education and the means for achieving it in that what Chiara Lubich suggests with the Cube of Love: “The Cube of Love has helped schools established a consistent ethos (character), transforming their cultures from those based on rules to others based on relationships… and the ‘secret’ to their resolution lies in a constant reorientation of self via the practical application of a spirituality of communion.”

Cube of Love’s contribution to education

“…the (…) contribution (of the Cube of Love) to education is that this program addresses conflict resolution and violence that so often accompany our children to the classroom. In the amazingly diverse society we share today, a school can create a new “culture” based upon sensitivity and respect for one another. The not only will the students have learned the greatest lesson of all (to love as Jesus taught us), but all the other lessons presented to them throughout the day can now take place in an atmosphere of optimum learning.” (Education Highest Aim, New City Press 2013, pp 52-53)

Short experiences on the Cube of Love

Love Jesus in the other

“Will you give me an eraser?” “Well, I’ve only got one and I’m keeping it for myself in case I need later on!” Sarah answered. “So, you’re not my best friend anymore; I always give everything you ask for!” said Cecilia and turned her back on Sarah. During the entire break they didn’t talk to one another or even look at each other. Cecilia started to think again: “Is Jesus in Sarah?” Immediately Cecilia ran to Sarah and gave her a hug. I’m sorry about what I said before.” They both went back to the class holding hands. The teacher was very surprised to see they had made peace with one another. She called Cecilia over and asked her: “What did you say to one another?” “I said I was sorry!” And the teacher asked: “Why?” “Because Jesus is in her!”

Love your enemy:

At school Matthew’s friends were making fun of another boy, John. Matthew didn’t feel it was right, so he thought of a solution. “From now on,” he told his friends, “whenever you want to make fun of someone, pick on me, but leave John alone!” From then on, the other boys stopped making fun of John. Dave was another of Matthew’s classmates, but they didn’t get along very well. Even when they weren’t fighting, they acted like enemies. “Jesus loved also those who had hurt him,” Matthew thought. One day Dave asked Matthew if he could borrow his markers, and he immediately gave them to him with a big smile. The following day, it was Dave who lent Matthew his markers. Now they are friends.

 Love everyone

“Today we’re all going to swap places,” Claudia’s teacher announced with a serious face. Then she said to Claudia: “You go and sit next to Luke!” But that was exactly where she didn’t want to sit! Luke was such a chatterbox. And he was very messy. “I didn’t like him at all,” she admitted. So she stood up and said, “I’m not going to sit next to him!” Then she went and sat in a corner of the classroom. She was really angry. However, she suddenly remembered the cube of love. That morning the phrase rolled was, “Love everyone.” Claudia explained what happened next: “I ran to the teacher and I said: ‘Miss, I’m very sorry—I’m even ready to sit next to Luke for the rest of the year!’” When Claudia got home she said, “I felt Jesus was saying to me in my heart, ‘Love everyone.’ I felt so happy!”

Sources: CLARITAS, Journal of Dialogue, Vol. 3, No.1, pp74-78; Education Highest Aim, New City Press 2014, pp. 52-53; www.facebook.com/The-Cube-of-Love;