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Beyond information—‘Education that works’ On its website, the Maharishi Institute in Johannesburg, South Africa poses the question, ‘Why Consciousness-Based Education?’ and quickly offers the answer describing it as ‘education that works’. While book knowledge is vital to education, it is of limited value and virtually irrelevant if students are unable to think clearly and creatively and be comfortable and happy within themselves. To fill these gaps, which exist in other educational systems, the Maharishi Institute and all schools of Consciousness-Based Education (CBE) add a key element that has been missing in education—the consciousness of the student himself. This critical aspect of education, the student’s consciousness, lies at the basis of his intelligence, creativity, confidence, inner calm, and motivation and therefore forms the foundation for successful learning which, in turn, forms a platform for success and fulfilment in life. The Maharishi Institute site also explains that ‘CBE is about connecting whatever a student is learning with how it relates to him as a person and why it’s useful in the world. With this approach, students are able to learn at high speed and retain greater quantities of information compared to that of traditional educational systems.’ Success comes from within The key technology which schools of Consciousness-Based Education use to create such important effects in students’ lives is the Transcendental Meditation Technique. Again, the Maharishi Institute website poses a rhetorical question—’Why TM?’ and explains: ‘The experience of pure consciousness, a quiet, inner experience, which develops mental alertness and increases creativity and intelligence, is core to the system of Consciousness-Based Education used in the Maharishi Institute. The method we use to have this peaceful, silent experience, is Transcendental Meditation, brought to the world by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi,’ ‘the genius who brought Consciousness-Based Education to the world.’ At Maharishi Institute, the students practise this simple, natural, enjoyable procedure as their first and last class of the day, allowing mind and body to experience a profound state of rest known as restful alertness. While extensive scientific research validates many benefits of the practice of the Transcendental Meditation Technique and Consciousness-Based Education—benefits which positively affect academic outcomes—it is the students’ descriptions of their experience at Maharishi Institute that is most inspiring. Finding a place of comfort within yourself Thembikile Dube, age 21, expresses what she feels her experience at this school is saying, ‘The Maharishi Institute aligns me with greatness and allows me to explore my inner being.’ Another young woman voices her deep thoughts about life and why she loves Maharishi Institute: ‘I think every single person—there is one thing that they need to gain and that is to find their authentic self. And when you get there, when you sleep at night and are content within yourself—that is what has worked for me, that is what has pushed me more than the academics in coming back here every single day. I know I’m working towards not just what I’m going to do when I leave in terms of work and stuff, but I have found a place of comfort within who I am.’ She goes on: ‘I would recommend it [Maharishi Institute] to anybody that wants to grow as a person. The other stuff will follow but as a person you need to be able to be centred, and be in a place of comfort within yourself. And that is what I have achieved.’ More fun than a holiday Other students—who represent different cultures, religions, and walks of life—also express the uniqueness of a Maharishi Institute education. They note that their school ‘offers a dynamic and balanced daily curriculum, including academic study, daily Transcendental Meditation and yoga, time at our Ezemvelo eco-campus nature reserve, celebration of knowledge with expression in multiple forms of art, and a variety of cultural and extracurricular activities.’ And they express their appreciation of this balanced routine which they see develops both inner and outer happiness, ‘complete happiness [which] means living 200% of life—100% of full inner self-awareness, and 100% of outer success and achievement.’ The all-embracing perspective of the school is ‘The world is my family.’ This open-hearted attitude is reflected in the words of 24-year-old student Tshepo Nhlapo who finds this good feeling both within himself and the other students: “I love my fellow students who are very generous and always striving for the best and inspiring each other.” Thuloana Mbande, age 21, notices, ‘Every student radiates such positive energy which is great.’ And Tladi Motsie, age 24, says the ‘Maharishi Institute has changed my life.’ The feeling and happiness, which make Maharishi Institute education ‘education that works’,are summed up well by the students. ‘Maharishi Institute is like a family. You will make the deepest friendships that will last a lifetime, as well as have so much fun. School holidays are boring in comparison!’
© Copyright 2012 Global Good News®
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