The Whole Child
Every human being is essentially a spiritual being, or soul, who
is born with a mind, life-energy (vital), and body. These parts
of human nature must be integrated in healthy ways so that we can
realize our highest and truest potentialities. Integral Education,
focusing on developing these four aspects of being with an emphasis
on balance and harmonious growth, therefore aims for the following
goals:
1. For the Mind: a proper training of the mental
faculties in the fields of the various Humanities and Sciences;
2. For the Emotions: an effective channeling of
the life-energy into pursuits that contribute to the healthy and
creative growth of the personality;
3. For the Body: the fullest possible development
of the physical being;
4. For the Soul: the bringing forth of spiritual
qualities that allow the soul to come forward and gradually being
to govern the rest of the being.
The aim of Integral Education is, therefore, to prepare our students
to not only "succeed" in life and to function in society
to the best of their abilities, but to "embrace and exceed
this purpose" by increasing the their perfectibility in all
areas of human life and existence.
Education for the Mental Being
To
develop mental skills focused on concentration, observation, precise
recording, and faithful memory.
To
develop the expansive, wide, complex, rich, and diverse facets
of the mind.
To
organize ideas around a central idea or a higher ideal that will
serve
as a guide in life.
To
control ones thoughts, and reject undesirable thoughts.
To
develop silent, calm, mental receptivity to inspirations coming
from
higher regions of the being.
Education for the Vital (Emotional) Being
To develop and utilize the sense organs:
so
that they are far more accurate and sensitive than what is normally
expected of them;
in
order to cultivate discrimination and aesthetic sense, the capacity
to choose
and take up what is beautiful and harmonious,
simple, healthy, and pure.
To become conscious and master of one's own character:
by
cultivating positive moral qualities (i.e., honesty, unselfishness,
generosity, tolerance, etc.), healthy desires,
and noble ambitions;
by
realizing a strong, noble, and dynamic vital nature that serves
the
enlightened demands of the mind and the body;
by
eliminating despair, depressions, and all other negative and base
emotions and impulses.
Education for the Physical Being
• To realize grace, beauty, and harmony in the body.
• To lengthen the life-span of the body as much as possible.
• To develop self-discipline, positive morale, and a strong
character.
• To develop courage, hardiness, steadiness of will, rapid
decision-making, cooperation, sportsmanship,
and leadership.
Education for the Psychic Being (Soul)
• To develop the mental, vital, and physical consciousness
for integration
with an individuals inner most psychic being.
• To create in the outer personality complete receptivity
to the higher
spiritual consciousness and open it safely to that
consciousness.
• To feel oneness with all beings and things.
• To know and execute the divine will behind one's life
in order to become
the master of one's destiny.
Spiritual Development
The aims for Spiritual Education are not specifically geared towards
children but instead provide guidelines for adults who choose to
take up spiritual disciplines in the midst of their worldly existence.
To
spiritualize and universalize the lower triple consciousness of
mind,
life, and body.
To
develop the power of intuition.
To
be receptive to the inspiration, integral power and spiritual
vitality of
the mind and body.
To
achieve complete union with the transcendental Divine Consciousness
in
order to transform the individuals human nature into
an integral Divine Nature.
NOTE: A key goal of Integral Education is to enable an adult human
being to choose to follow and create a conscious, consecrated spiritual
life. From this standpoint, Integral Education is a life-long learning
process that makes it possible for anyone to manifest the full potential
from their inner-most being and to create opportunities for living
a better life. |