The Inner Life
We all have an inner life. Some describe it as spirituality,
while others think of it as a "still place within" where we can
collect ourselves and gather strength to meet the next challenge.
Some think of the inner life as reverence for the
mystery of creation, or for a higher power that intelligently
guides our lives. But whatever name we give it, the spiritual
dimension of life, which is so natural and obvious to most children,
is fully acknowledged in a Living Wisdom School classroom. Each
child's individual spirituality is cultivated, within the family's
faith. Living by spiritual values is emphasized in all aspects
of school life, and all religions are honored.
We do not provide "religious instruction" in the
formal sense. Students of various faiths and ethnic backgrounds
are represented, making the school a dynamic multicultural experience
for all the children. Our focus is on developing the child's awareness
of qualities that are valued in all religious traditions, such
as inner peace, love, wisdom, and joy.
Each Living Wisdom classroom has a universal altar
on which are symbols of all the world's religions, plus objects
and decorations the children individually find sacred and meaningful.
Every morning, we set aside time for singing, quiet meditation,
affirmations, prayer, yoga postures, and other activities that
help uplift the child's consciousness.
We encourage the children themselves to feel what
it is like to be in harmony with a higher reality. Whenever it
seems appropriate, we hold discussions and answer questions about
this inner sense of harmony. The children discover that certain
attitudes and actions increase their inner sense of well-being,
while other choices take it away. Through these exercises in awareness,
"right and wrong" moves from being a system of rigid moral dogmas
to a first-hand experience of the consequences of the child's
own behavior. The children very naturally become interested in
learning how they can change their behavior in order to increase
their joy.
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