The Integral Education initiative of the Sri Aurobindo Society—SAFIER—conducted a one-day Facilitator Workshop on 11th March at the Puducherry premises of the Sri Aurobindo Society. This was the second in the series of workshops to facilitate understanding and deepening into the core principles and approaches of Integral Education. The workshop was to facilitate the seven facilitators from the Sri Aurobindo Society Chennai branch, who were joined by the Tamil Nadu State committee chairman, Shri Sivakumar, to conduct programs for ‘Auro Kids’ on how to engage children, how to identify their aspirations, and how to make them future-ready. The workshop not only talked about the struggles of ‘Auro kids' but also awakened the facilitators with the help of Integral Education (IE) practices in the light of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. This will further aid the facilitators to live an Integral life and facilitate an Integral atmosphere in their children corner activities.

Key Highlights:

•  Facilitators' Growth: The workshop emphasized that the facilitators must evolve to be future-ready alongside the children they guide.

• Beyond Conventional Education: Auro Kids aims to create a unique approach to learning that others may not have imagined. From a child-centred to a soul-centred approach.
• Self-Discovery as a Foundation: Education begins with mastering oneself, as advocated by The Mother in ‘The Science of Living’.
• Poetry, Art, and Music as Tools: These creative mediums were explored as effective ways to connect with higher emotions and thus connect with the Inner Friend.
• Engaging Activities: Awareness games heightened self-observation and perception, while Kolam as an art form demonstrated harmony and stillness.
• Integral Learning Approach: The workshop seamlessly integrated the mental, emotional and physical with the spiritual dimension, ensuring an integral experience.
• Practical Takeaways: Facilitators were encouraged to incorporate nature walks, simple songs, and collaborative teaching strategies to enhance engagement.
• Closing Reflection: The workshop ended on a deeply unifying note with a Tamil song, reinforcing the spirit of Beauty and harmony in each aspect of one’s life .

Reflections From Participants

• Understood the essence of "Science of Living" as mastering oneself — being conscious, aware, and aspirational.
• Expressed emotions freely while enacting the poem, discovering different shades of themselves in the process.
• Became more aware of their body, senses and surroundings during the blindfold activities — heightened alertness, balance, and trust.
• Acknowledged the need to practice patience, cooperation, and humility through the recommended team facilitation method.
• Realised how beauty in action, thought, and sentiment can become a constant ideal, guiding both personal and professional lives.

Summary:

The Auro Kids workshop was a transformative experience for the facilitators, challenging them to grow alongside the future-ready children they teach. Through self-mastery, creative expression, engaging activities, and integral learning, facilitators explored new ways to enrich their lives and those of their students. The session underscored the importance of beauty, aspiration, and consciousness in education, leaving participants inspired and equipped with practical tools for fostering a nurturing learning environment.