The Four Basic Components
of Consciousness-Based Education
Developing the Full Creative Potential of Every Student
and an Ideal Society
Summary: The four basic components of Consciousness-Based schools and universities, as founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, all contribute to the same goal: Awakening in every student the full potential of creativity, intelligence, and happiness for an increasingly problem-free, progressive, and fulfilling life, bringing all good to oneself, one’s surroundings, and society.
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1. Courses on consciousness. Students practice the Transcendental Meditation program twice daily at the institution; and after a few months, they learn the Transcendental Meditation Sidhi program, including Yogic Flying. Through these programs the students enliven and start to function from the most creative, powerful, and blissful level of their own awareness, Transcendental Consciousness.
As a result, students naturally express more of their unlimited creative potential in daily life. Through their group practice of this tech-nology, the entire community and—if the group is large enough—the region and nation as a whole become more coherent and progressive.
More than 600 scientific research studies, conducted in 250 universities and research institutes in 33 countries, document the wide-ranging benefits of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs for mind, body, behavior, and society.
Students also study consciousness through courses that give them deeper understanding of their full potential. These courses bring out deep unifying principles common to all disciplines and human life—helping students see the relationship among all subjects of study and their own growth to higher states of consciousness. Increasingly they experience and understand life as a whole.
2. Study of the standard subjects in light of the knowledge of consciousness. Students study the standard disciplines—sciences, mathematics, arts, humanities—with the unique addition that the teachers present each topic in light of the knowledge of full human development, which makes every subject more relevant to the students, expanding the sense of their own possibilities.
3. Consciousness-Based teaching techniques that develop holistic awareness. These techniques, which greatly enhance learning and retention, refine the functioning not only of mind and intellect, but also of perception, emotions, speech, and behavior. They culture increasingly holistic awareness in the students and their resulting success in education and daily life.
One highly effective instructional technique is the use of large wall charts which show the connection of each main idea to the whole lesson, to the whole course, to the whole field of study—all in light of the knowledge of the student’s full potential.
Another unique instructional feature is students summarizing and expressing what they have learned in the classroom at the end of each lesson, day, and week. At the end of each month the students present creative performances by synthesizing the most important ideas they have learned.
4. Stress-free routine and nourishing environment. A restfully alert quality of mind and body is crucial for unfolding one’s full potential; therefore Consciousness-Based schools add to the academic classes the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs to give profound rest for systematically develop brain power and ensure a vital and happy focus in the class room. In addition, these schools care for pure nourishing food, regular sports for everyone, early bedtime, and no heavy homework assignments.
Boys and girls, men and ladies, ideally are educated in their own institutions, which fosters a life style that is simple, focused on knowledge, and conducive to unfolding one’s unique talents.
The buildings are constructed or selected in accord with principles from natural law based architecture, for the enhanced health and well-being of the occupants. The atmosphere is imbued with peace, vitality, focused activity, and harmony—an ideal environment for growth toward becoming all that one can be.