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Teachers, students, and parents all love this school The British government is encouraging the establishment of more schools like the Maharishi Free School in Lancashire. Why? As described in the Ofsted report, which evaluated the school, Maharishi Free School is ‘a high performance school that really cares for children.’ The students at Maharishi Free School impress visitors by their display of a ‘remarkable eagerness for knowledge, their happiness, and [a] profound grasp of the deepest principles of life. These pupils exhibit a beautiful balance and wholeness that is rarely seen in other schools.’ Experiencing restful alertness The key to this noticeable difference from other schools ‘is the use of Consciousness-Based Education founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, which includes Transcendental Meditation as an essential part of the daily classroom timetable.’ Derek Cassells, School Head, explains, ‘The fundamental principle of education at Maharishi School is the experience of restful alertness. This is easily achieved through the practice of Transcendental Meditation. Restful alertness combines profound physiological rest with inner alertness. This creates neurological balance, which is the basis of all positive learning.’ Cassells further elaborates saying that the experience of restful alertness gained through the twice daily practice of the Transcendental Meditation Technique increases creativity and intelligence. He reiterates that this forms the basis for successful learning. ‘Achievement is maximum,’ Cassells continues, ‘when creativity and intelligence are systematically developed. The results are startling. Competition successes at the Maharishi School show how well the pupils are achieving. And that’s in addition to the excellent examination results. This is a profound basis for success continuing throughout life.’ Through the eyes of the students The Maharishi School students themselves express how they experience the practice of the Transcendental Meditation Programme and its benefits. One girl says, ‘Although it relaxes you, it also helps you stay alert in the lesson. So, after a good meditation in the morning or at lunch, you always feel more refreshed and more ready to start a lesson.’ A young boy comments, ‘It clears you mind.’ Another points out, ‘It makes you calmer.’ A third young boy appreciates the enhancement of social interactions noting, ‘You enjoy talking to people more. And you have better conversations with people and then they like you more so you become better friends.’ Life is bliss Three other principles, which guide education at Maharishi Free School, focus on the enjoyment of life. They are:
The Transcendental Meditation Technique is, as discussed above, fundamental in making these points a living reality in the lives of the students. In addition, the faculty receives special training in Consciousness-Based Education which prepares them to bring out the best in all the children, develop their creativity and intelligence, and make their behaviour more harmonious. A third element used to deliver the reality of life as bliss is the use of integrating principles which make the knowledge being studied relevant in the lives of the students. The principle, ‘every action has a reaction’, for example, is seen by the students to not only be true in the physical world but in their own individual experiences. ‘Look at their love of life’ The words of Maharishi Free School students and parents again confirm the school’s success. One girl reflects on the comfortable social environment. ‘Everyone knows each other,’ she says. ‘We’re all friends. There’s no bullying.’ Another girl reports, ‘Everyone here is just happier and nicer than [at] my old school.’ And when she adds, ‘It’s just the best school,’ her friend affirms, ’It is.’ The list of awards received by Maharishi School students in competitions is impressive and parents’ comments range from appreciative to glowing. ‘I think it’s the ideal school,’ one mother says, while other parents offer thoughts such as: ‘Their personalities seem to have blossomed.’ They’re super confident now.’ ‘No bullying. No undue peer pressure.’ ‘I think they’re much more settled and I think they’re much happier.’ ‘Come here and experience the difference,’ says one girl. And a parent offers the same invitation, ‘Come and see it. Come and look at the children. Come and look at their love of life.’ © Copyright 2012 Global Good News®
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