This paper was presented at the
National Seminar on
Indian Psychology: Theories and Models
SVYASA, Bangalore,
December 26 - 28, 2007
 

Journey of a teacher

Srila Basu — Mirambika, Delhi

This paper has its genesis in the Mirambika Teacher education program. The content points to the evolution of the teacher during her teacher education programme, how she educates herself in the process using the content and the guidance offered. During the course, the teacher participates in community living, practices the ‘Science of Living’, understands and applies the Three Principles of Teaching in her life.

The paper also documents the teachers’ experience gained in Mirambika. The excerpts from the reflective journals of several teachers pursuing integral education throw considerable light on their understanding, perception and development of integral education. Their vast experience is consolidated in a teacher education curriculum. The course content is based on Human Values and hence instills in the teachers values that are oriented towards teaching.

The core idea of this approach is to change the nature of the teacher education program, with an emphasis on becoming a humanist, rather a yogic teacher: one who grows and changes and does not use the classroom as a laboratory to experiment the hypotheses drawn from educational theory. Further the teacher is also a seeker, walking a path of discovery, to reach a level that will enable her to receive new and higher perspectives.

It concludes that at the core of Integral education lies the development of the inner being. Integral education makes the being conscious of the Self and gradually manifests itself in the outer nature, the mental, vital and physical planes thus helping in the growth of consciousness.

Email the author, Ms. Srila Basu, at srilabasu@rediffmail.com