“Asia as method” as a quest of the spirit and finding we-togetherness: a collaborative autoethnography

This paper responds to the special issue’s call for educators examine epistemological and ontological changes that happen themselves after long-term working abroad how this experience helps challenge theoretical pedagogical norms in education. Employing collaborative autoethnography as our research method, we use life stories of growing up Asia studying West reflect on journey becoming scholars comfortable engaging Chinese wisdom traditions—Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism—in Western academia. We share experiences encouraging Asian spiritual traditions contemplative practices led us embrace ontology epistemology Eastern traditions, come understand philosophies living wisdom, a way being knowing. further detail comprehending at heart-mind level has transformed views humanity, allowing see common struggles peoples East West, North America. Our transformations brought about by have enabled there is not such thing “Asia” or “North ” Rather, interare are Earth citizens. end inquiry advocating need engage spirit method conduct teaching with heightened sense we-togetherness, from heart mind open boundless, benefits all relations—visible invisible, human more than human.