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Basic Course of Spiritual Education: A brief overview Aditi M Sengupta.; Harvard Medical School, Post Graduate Association Introduction: The Basic course of one of the popular Spiritual Education Institutes , which is popularly called Part 1 course, is an inital entry to this life long Institute of learning. The processes taught in the 4-5 day sessions add a unique dimension to the introduction of adult students of all ages and a population catering above 18+ years of age to a rythmic breathing technique called Sudarshan Kriya,along with Yoga, Pranayama and knowlede sessions. This is an introduction to the overall experience of a life long Institute for support contributing to active learning and interdisciplinary type of instruction. Materials and Resources: The program aims to provide the participants with a rich environment. This is not necessarily synonymous with a costly envionment though anyone who has directed a program knows that access to funds for plentiful supplies is certainly helpful.A rich environment is created by providing four kinds of resources: * Physical spaces that allow group work, physical activity, safety, mess making and multiple activities. * Plentiful maerials & tools that promote exploration, active use and creative endevors. * Teacher/ Staff members who are multifaceted, able to apply their academic knowledge to real world tasks and able to share their knowledge and interests in a mentoring way. * An atmosphere, created through the program structure and the attitudes of the staff and participants that values both individuals and community,an atmosphere of trust, exploration,acceptance of mistakes, recognition of many forms of success and many styles of contributions. The materials and supplies used at the Institute reflect the program's active learning philosophy. The facility plays an arena of art,a science and nature arena, a shop and electronic rooms for talks and sessions, an office area, a costume room and a polished dance floor, and many indoor and outdoor general use areas, such as the side lawn, recreation rooms, picnic tables,a tipi(mainly built by students, as I've observed in 2006, in Ann Arbor, Michigan and in 2008, in California)and garden areas. Positive reflections for the Course: Part 1 course or the Basic Course imbibes a positive atmosphere in participants that acts as a strong incentive to high expectations based on their beliefs: * Individuals can make a unique and valuable contribution to this community, and all efforts are focussed on helping students discover what their potentials are. * People at the Institute enjoy themselves and are supported in their individual development.There is no hidden checklist of academic concepts or achievements that will be used to grade or judge the students' performance. * Participants who are later accepted as students on completion of the course with regular attendances need authentic choices and activities that excite them, that capture their imaginations and that stimulate them to explore new realms.Staff incorporate this attitude into their ongoing plenary sessions. * Each member of the learning community, both students and staff, has a contributing role. It is not acceptable in this setting for one's domination, to block other's participation(irrespective of whether the person is a staff member or a student of the Institute). * Participants as Students learn best by experiencing trial and error, by exploring, by turning problems or obstacles into challenges. All staff interactions reflect this attitude. * While in the process of becoming a student, enouragement are given to be sensitive to each others' feelings and be respectful of their and their fellow students' beliefs. The focus is on action and community building as a response to difficulties that arise.Thus, when students have an argument,they are encouraged to reach a mutual understanding and resolve their difficulties rather than to focus solely on why they feel that way. * The successful engaged communities of past Institute sessions have a subtle positive influence on new participants. In the process, the new participants pick up that this is a great experience , a wonderful opportunity and a "cool" place to be. That good feeling carries them through doubtful moments, when they are struggling with uncomfortable interactions or difficult personal growth. Hence the Art of Living Foundation as an Institute is a challenge and a learning experience for its staff as well as its students of all ages and all sections of life. Acknowledgements: Ved Vignan Mahavidyaeeth, 2002-2010. American Red Cross. Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels. Veterans' Affairs, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dedicated to: My Parents and Family who have supported me in times of difficulties. Copyrighted 2011
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