“It is time we learned that facts, and even skill, by themselves cannot produce a healthy society. Cooperation, positive thinking, kindness and other eternal values are essential to a truly productive life and to the attainment of the universal goal of all life: happiness.”
— Swami Kriyananda
At Ananda Village, parents can choose to send their children to the Ananda Living Wisdom School, which spans pre-school through high school. The Village’s Living Wisdom School also serves children outside of Ananda Village, including children from the surrounding area, as well as international boarding students.
The Ananda College of Living Wisdom (a California certified college offering A.A. and B.A. degrees) is Ananda’s newest development in conscious education. Students can obtain a 2 or 4 year degree or 1 year certificate while studying fields such as business, the arts, world cultures, sustainability, and yoga philosophy. Founded at Ananda Village’s Meditation Retreat, the college is now located at Ananda’s Laurelwood community in Gaston, OR.
Ananda’s Living Wisdom Schools teach according to the Education for Life philosophy originated by Swami Kriyananda, and the founding principal of Ananda’s first school, Nitai Deranja. The Education for Life system was designed to support children in the balanced development of body, heart, mind and spirit. In addition to concentrating on the usual school subjects, students are also taught an awareness of life’s higher purpose, which is to develop to our full potential as human beings.
What Makes Education for Life Unique:
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Education for Life teachers are trained to be aware of each child’s interests, talents and potential. In a Living Wisdom School, lessons and activities are presented in ways that encourage each student’s participation and development.
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Because of the respect the teacher has for each child’s learning style, children are open and receptive, and enjoy the learning process.
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Children are guided not only in mastering the skills needed for academic success, but also in the skills and attitudes they need to be successful human beings, such as cooperation, compassion and self-discipline.
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Children learn, based on their own experience, what actions and ways of thinking lead them toward true happiness.
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Students are guided toward attaining maturity on all levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.
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Higher values are offered non-dogmatically, and are expressed in a way that is universal, so that students are encouraged to discover life’s deeper meaning.
Each summer, Ananda Village offers an introductory program for those interested in learning more about Education for Life, and for those who wish to begin their studies toward becoming a certified Education for Life teacher. This program is led by master teachers (including Nitai Deranja) from the community’s Living Wisdom schools.
Ananda Village’s Living Wisdom School welcomes visitors! To arrange a visit, please call (530) 478-7640 while school is in session.
