Transformative Journeys

During the Song (960-1279), all educated Chinese men traveled frequently, journeying long distances to attend school and take civil service examinations. They crisscrossed the country to assume government posts, report back to the capital, and return home between assignments and to attend to family matters. Based on a wide array of texts, Transformative Journeys analyzes the impact of travel on this group of elite men and the places they visited. In the first part of the book, Cong Ellen Zhang considers the practical aspects of travel during the Song in the context of state mobilization of and assistance to government travelers, including the infrastructure of waterways and highways, the bureaucratic procedures entailed in official travel, and the means of transport and types of lodging. The second part of the book focuses on elite activities on the road, especially the elaborate farewell banquets, welcoming ceremonies, and visits to famous places. Zhang argues convincingly that abundant travel experience became integral to Song elite identity and status, greatly strengthening the social and cultural coherence of the practitioners. In promoting their experience of traveling across a large empire, Song elite men firmly established their position as the country’s political, social, and cultural leaders. The literary compositions and physical traces they left behind also formed an overlapping web of collective memories, continually enhancing local pride and defining the place of various localities in the cultural geography of the country. Transformative Journeys sheds new light on the nature of Chinese literati, their dominance of culture and society, and China’s social and cultural integration. Those interested in premodern China and travel literature will find a wealth of material previously unavailable to Western readers.

The purpose and impact of the professional doctorate – or EdD (Doctor of Education) – has long been debated. What should it be? Who should do it? Why is it worth doing? How should it be taught? What makes the EdD distinctive, unique and worthwhile? Internationally, at the level of program development and provision, universities are increasing the range of transformative professional doctorate practices while recruiting larger numbers of students from a wider range of professions. Transformative Doctoral Research Practices for Professionals offers unique insight into the teaching, learning, thinking and doing of doctoral education. In the form of a collaboratively authored volume this book offers the first institutional-specific collection that focuses on doctoral research practices. It showcases: the practices of researching professionals at different phases and stages of a five year doctoral journey; the imperative of reflexivity as one moves from practitioner to researching professional and scholar; and the placing of ‘practice’ at the centre of a doctoral program specifically designed for professionals. This book shares the lived-through debates, deliberations, challenges and experiences of a group of professional (practitioner) doctoral students, their supervisors and lecturers. The critical perspectives and examples explored offer a wealth of insights on the distinct practices and unique journeying of professional practitioners embarking on professional doctorates. This volume invites you to reflect on and enter into dialogue with your peers and professional learning and research communities about the distinctiveness of the professional doctorate. /div

Transformation has emerged as a prominent construct in myriad academic disciplines. Such transformational processes as movement from sickness to wellness, from grief to closure and from fractured to integrated are evident within the pilgrimage literature and are explored in this volume.

Twenty-one authentic, inspirational transformational journeys that move beyond pain and despair and into triumph, health, healing, and purpose. Stories that will inspire, motivate and empower every reader.

"Stories of Transformative Learning is intended to encourage people to explore the potential for transformative learning in their lives, practices, and communities. This book illustrates the transformative learning process through ten stories of individuals from both inside and outside of the classroom. Adult educators and adult learners will find the book to be personally insightful and professionally useful. There have been many accounts of transformative learning experiences, but it is not often that we have the opportunity to hear first-hand personal stories of transformative learning. Here, ten stories are told directly by the people who experienced them, with additional commentary from the authors. These stories are intended to resonate with readers and to inspire people to create the conditions where transformative learning can occur in their lives and professional practice. Storytelling is one way in which both educators and learners can understand the process of transformative learning. Telling stories, reading others’ stories, and contemplating our own stories all help us to become aware of alternative perspectives, a process that is at the heart of critical reflection and critical self-reflection, which is, in turn, central to transformative learning. We hope to increase readers’ sense of agency and more self-directed, self-fulfilling lives. By demonstrating how others have examined and reconsidered otherwise hidden assumptions that constrained the quality and potential of their lives, we show readers how they may do the same."

The National Level Peer Reviewed Edited Book titled ‘Digital Transformation in Emerging Business Environment’ is a wonderful treatise which concentrates on the efficiency of improved infrastructure and its impact on the socio-economic growth and addresses diverse theme of great importance and relevance to the business, economy and society. This book contains research papers and scholarly articles of the eminent academicians, scholars and researchers in the diverse fields of Business, Finance, Marketing, Management etc. in a highly organised and lucid manner.

Examines the subversive and constructive narrative of female journey in American literature, from the seventeenth century to the present.

About This Book: "The End Is the Sign of New Beginning: Embracing Life's Transformative Cycles" by Harsh Wardhan Soni In the pages of "The End Is the Sign of New Beginning: Embracing Life's Transformative Cycles," author Harsh Wardhan Soni takes readers on a profound journey through the intricate tapestry of life's inevitable cycles - the endings and beginnings that shape our existence. With eloquence and wisdom, Soni explores the natural rhythm of life, drawing inspiration from the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and the profound insights garnered from observing the changing seasons and cycles of nature. Overview: This book is a deep exploration of the profound spiritual synergy between life's transformative cycles and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Through meticulous research and insightful reflection, Harsh Wardhan Soni delves into the inevitability of endings, illuminating the integral role they play in the natural rhythm of life. The narrative guides readers through the process of recognizing endings as essential components of growth, challenging conventional perspectives, and embracing the wisdom found in closure and transformation. Key Themes: 1. Embracing Endings: Soni explores the concept of letting go and the liberation that accompanies releasing what no longer serves us. Through stories of triumph and resilience, readers learn to navigate discomfort and uncertainty, transforming endings into catalysts for personal growth and change. 2. The Power of New Beginnings: The book delves into the art of setting intentions and purposeful living. Readers are equipped with techniques to define and manifest new beginnings, fostering a sense of clarity and direction in their life journeys. 3. Harmony in Life's Rhythms: By aligning with nature's cycles, readers gain insights into life's flow. The wisdom of age and the profundity of lifelong learning are explored, offering valuable perspectives on embracing change and rediscovery in different stages of life. 4. The Dance of Endings and Beginnings: Soni celebrates life's cyclical nature, emphasizing the continuity of endings and beginnings. Through heartfelt narratives and reflective insights, readers are encouraged to acknowledge the beauty and richness inherent in life's continuous cycle. Why This Book Matters: "The End Is the Sign of New Beginning" is not merely a book; it is a guiding light for those seeking solace and understanding in life's transitions. Harsh Wardhan Soni's eloquent prose and deep spiritual insights offer readers a profound perspective on embracing change, growth, and renewal. This book serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of embracing life's natural cycles. In essence, "The End Is the Sign of New Beginning: Embracing Life's Transformative Cycles" is a timeless exploration of the interconnectedness of endings and beginnings, inviting readers to celebrate the beauty of life's infinite circles and find meaning in every phase of their journey. Through Soni's words, readers are empowered to navigate life's complexities with grace, wisdom, and an unwavering belief in the endless possibilities that new beginnings bring.