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3rd INTEGRAL EDUCATION RETREAT 2006 - A Review There were several times during the day that I berated
myself for not bringing along a camera. The day was a fantastic one, a blend
of excitement and peace, of innocence and knowledge, of questions and answers... We began the event with a story on sincerity. The children
were all ears and guessed the following sequence of events at every point
where the story-teller stopped, often at a decisive turning point in the
story-line. Besides getting the children involved with the story, the
activity enabled the children to explore values and their application. The
mind was active as it tried to come to terms with the moral of the
story. Both children and adults
were drawn in by the story. This session also served as a sort of ice-breaker
as new children who were in the team warmed up to the story as well as the
story-teller and the co-listeners. Following this, we had a short session of
meditation. It was commendable that children gave themselves their due in keeping
still and quiet during the 5 minutes of meditation. The Mother’s prayer
for students was recited by the children twice. Following this, children and
facilitators immersed themselves in a few ice-breaker activities. The
enthusiasm and energy flowing from the children were infectious.
The children combined their physical and mental abilities to tackle
challenges thrown at them, from the moment the ice-breakers started. It
seemed that the sky was the limit when we moved outdoors to play Kabbadi,
once the children were well-warmed up. Actually, one wonders at the beauty
behind two children meeting as strangers and how almost instantaneously, they
become friends and frolic about like they have known each other for years. Is
it that only innocence and an unassuming nature that welcomes anything and a
heart that wants to play, play and play can accomplish this feat? Despite the intermittent rain which forced us to shift our
games to the halls, the Kabbadi game was played, intensely, noisily and
enthusiastically. What else could the facilitators do but declare both teams
as the winners? Though this announcement was received with surprise, the
children brought their goodwill forward and understood that it was a game
that everyone enjoyed while being wholeheartedly involved and therefore
deserved to emerge as winners. The sweaty bout was then followed by a short workshop on
origami, intended to impart the importance of geometry and beauty in the
art. As is now customary for our integral education sessions, we gathered
before breaking for lunch in our circle, with a talking stone, to reflect
upon the morning activities, what was done, what was felt, and what was
learnt. The afternoon began with a pyramid making exercise for the
mind, following which, the children were transported on a flying
carpet to magical lands far away - a relaxing, imaginative exercise. We
continued this with another imagination exercise on drawing based on poems.
A short ball game ensued, after which we returned to the room for reflections,
debriefing and closing meditation. All of us felt that the day was one well
spent and look forward to the next year of Integral Education. - Kiruthika |