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Golden Lotus School
http://www.goldenlotusschool.net
How do you come together and share a resource?
We are a group of yoga teachers consisting of very talented individuals from different walks of life, different cultures and involved in many different professions. Together we have a goal of living from the wisdom and love in the heart. As individuals and as a community we have all used this wisdom to uplift our lives, the lives of our families and each other. We want to share the techniques we have used to change our lives with the world. Thus the dream of the Golden Lotus School was born.
We submitted a proposal to Redmond Parks in Redmond, WA to create a school for children ages 7 – 17 as a home school extension and after school program. Our proposal for this school was accepted in Sept 2009 and our dream of creating this school is now a reality.
The Golden Lotus School is a response to a need for a new kind of educational system based on a more complete understanding of the self. We believe that the heart-center is the holder of the spirit. It is the home of the feeling of Love and a quiet Joy. The heart is also the holder of our wisdom. Wisdom comes from seeing what is best for everyone. The ability to use this wisdom is called intuition. We are in a time in history where the need to act, think and feel from our intuition is essential. Our mission is to guide children through the process of maturing, without children loosing contact with their spirit. Our intention is to help them learn to trust their intuition and access the intelligence that lies in the heart. We are committed to providing children with the tools to live the life that their spirit in harmony with themselves, others, the earth and its elements.
A variety of classes will be offered, along with yoga and meditation there will be classes in cooking, arts, acting, still life drawing, gardening, dancing, language, wildlife exploration, math, english, gardening and environmental education. Students will explore and witness the environmental assets of Juel Park (Bear Creek, open wetlands, mixed forest and farmland). Students will have an opportunity to see 1st hand natural cycles like the annual salmon run in Bear Creek. Students will also have an opportunity to work with The Green Redmond Program and the Juel Forest Steward to remove invasive overgrowth and plant new native plants.
Organic gardening methods will be taught with an emphasis on awareness of the global implications of local food production as Golden Lotus School grows. Woven into each class will be the methods that we use to strengthen the body, center the mind and emotions so that children will begin to live from the wisdom in the heart.
We believe:
• That each child is essentially a spiritual being and that the mind and body can be aligned with the spirit.
• To live from the spirit will bring the qualities of joy, love, peace, gratitude and wisdom into one’s body, mind and life.
• That the fastest way to change the world is to change your self.
This style of learning is non- denominational. We are not affiliated with, nor do we promote any particular religious beliefs or practices. We teach children, using hand actions and guided imagery, to bring the energy of the body, mind and emotions back into balance, aligning and tuning these energies to our greatest wisdom, the wisdom of the heart. Students of all divergent faiths or religious backgrounds will find that their connection to the very essence of their spiritual beliefs will only be enhanced.
How would your group use the award money?
All the award money will go towards costs of the school. We need money for supplies such as books, pens, paints, paper, musical instruments, items for pottery class, organic food for cooking classes all to help the school grow as needed. Also, it It will also go towards start up costs of phone, website, business licenses, etc. The money will also be used towards any costs needed to setup the physical space. We would like to start a scholarship program and eventually supplement continuing education expenses for our teachers.
Mona
This is a beautiful! There is a serious need for a school that brings out a wider range of talents and abilities of children in a non competitive way. I like that all their senses would be nurtured and enriched by a school like this, helping them see a wider range of what would be possible for their lives. This is really a beautiful concept!
Kirsten E
Thank you for creating this school–and this video. As the mother of an 8 year old in alternative education within the public schools, I observe on a daily basis the need for our kids to stay connected to their inner wisdom and not be absorbed by the mass consciousness of media, competition, and separation. I like this video because it captures the feeling of community, from a variety of persepctives. I love that you include art and science, music and engineering for example.
Zofia
In watching this video it reminds me of when my son was much younger, he is 22 now, and I wanted something different for him than what was available to us at that time.
THIS IS WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.
There is no greater gift you can give someone, a child or an adult, than that of the ability to hear their own inner voice, their own inner wisdom. Because in that space there is not an egoistic I that serves only that being but the I that serves all in peace and harmony.
This school feels like exactly what our children are needing today more than anything. And it will serve the greater good of that child and in doing that serve the greated good of an entire world.
Thank you to all who have made this school possible.
Mana
I can just imagine the children who attend this school. Their minds will be open, and their hearts will be open. They will learn how to harmoniously and joyously, go through their lives loving the process of learning from the intuitive heart. The current educational system lacks this heart centered learning. Oh, how I wish my children could have had the kind of education that is planned at the Golden Lotus School. How fortunate will be the children who will attend, learn and grow to be adults, ready to make the world a better place.
Aurora
This is exactly what children need to truly blossom to their full potential – to be surrounded by caring teachers and friends who want the best for them, to learn by experience, to enjoy beatufy and nature, and to be encouraged to discover who they truly are.
Thank you so much to all who are making it possible for our children to learn in a more holistic, joyful way.
Gwen Delmore
This school sounds beautiful. I wish something like this had been available when my children were in school. I think there is a huge need for this type of school, I truly believe that public school teachers have the child’s highest good in mind, but are too restrained by the environment and regulations that surround them.
Best of luck to all participating.
Sasha Koonar
That was very inspiring! I wish I could go to a school like that!
Karen Koonar
That was so beautifully filmed! I love the way the children will learn by gaining a spiritual understanding of their minds and bodies. Congratulations, this is groundbreaking!
John P
What a great idea, and a wonderful opportunity for local children to learn skills that will be of benefit to them for the rest of their lives. Good luck, I hope it is a great success!
Katie M
I could feel from watching the video the love and joy that will be fostered through the school. This approach to teaching has always been effective and with the added focus on the heart, the children will just blossom. What a true gift to this area. Thank you for having this dream and taking the iniative to make it a reality.
Angelica Rose
This is a dream coming true!
How wonderful for kids to learn and grow without losing connection with their inner spark.
Thank you for creating this beautiful opportunity!
Rich D
To empower children in this way to create life experiences in alignment with their spirit is such a blessing for the children themselves, their families, and society at large, both now and for future generations. I completely support this work and know that it will be successful.
Colin M
What a cool thing to be doing with kids that age – looking forward to seeing it get to the next level.
Vijay
This is a great idea. The school system today is broken. Emphasis is on memory and on becoming a utility to society. We need to instead nurture the innamte talents and creativity in kids. Best wishes for success in this venture!
Suzanne
What a beautiful project from a beautiful group of heart-centered individuals. An opportunity to teach our children to view the world from the inside out is an opportunity for real social change.
Tarvinder
Wish you all the success in this venture to nurture golden hearts.
Tonya
Any child who attends these classes will be blessed with a circle of caring adults. Not only is it important for children to learn to listen to their inner wisdom, but it’s important for them to know that many people care about them. The adults in this program will have the opportunity to share their talents while helping “the village” raise our children. What a truly beautiful project in the truest sense of community.
Gordon
I attended more than 17 school over the decades. Some of them on the cutting edge of the alternative school movement. Cultivating and nurturing the human being was often placed over academics.
From that perspective, I can envision the exponential growth children can experience when that cultivation crosses with the concept of being guided by one’s heart, where said guidance comes from a unified group of people actually practicing the living they are teaching.
Ann
The first graduating class will transform the world.
I remember that my original kindergarten teacher
(forty-five years ago) terrified the children in our class so much, that many of us had to repeat kindergarten with a different teacher in order to calm down enough to progress to the first grade. I wish I could have an education do-over, and go back to school at the Golden Lotus!
Odessa Rae
This school looks like a dream come true! I have been so grateful to watch the unfolding of it from the inside and have a deep faith in all the teachers involved!
Thank you!
Odessa
Tim Owen
Count us in! And let us know when the doors open!!!
We will treasure having access to a resource such as you are proposing. As soon to be parents of our son “Neo” we are actively searching for the ideal means of educating a child in today’s world.
You are extending a most hopeful opportunity for children to be educated on how to most effectively and peacefully be in the world, and to be given every opportunity to truly “Know Themselves.”
Together, or not at all.
Parul
I absolutely love this idea and wish something like this was available for me when I was younger.
I think sometimes we get too caught up with the reading, writing, arithmetic (all very important) and forget about being well-rounded. It makes me want to Redmond in the future so that my children would have access to this.
Good luck!
Annie
This is a brilliant idea and an ideal setting to launch it. Best of luck in the application process. Is there a cut-off age for older students?…. say 28?
golden child @ heart
Integral, enchanting and nurturing approach to welcome the wisdom and dreams of the heart into our lives.
Marlen
Since arts and activities programs have continually been removed from our school systems, children are rarely being provided the opportunity to develop and apply their intuition while learning valuable lifeskills only learned through experience. So many children today are ‘disconnected’ and entranced by electronic games and texting. Many parents are beginning to realize there’s a missing link, yet don’t know where to turn to. A school like this will offer a beautiful option.
Jayne
This is so important for our world right now; to raise children who are making decisions guided by joyful hearts. I am grateful for all the determination, commitment and love held by all who choose to be touched by this effort. I agree with Annie’s comment-what’s the age cut-off for the “children” at the school? LOL
Gina
This is a beautiful and loving foundation for children to grow and flourish. As a former educator and as a parent, I have often struggled to find schools that fit the real needs of children. I am grateful that this new school will be opening its doors just down the street from me. I look forward to having its students as part of my community.
Paul H
WOW!!! This sounds really AMAZING!!! What a beautiful and inspiring idea! Creating a school that teaches children to live from their heart and empowers them to follow their inner guidance, will help to create such a brighter tomorrow for all!!! I wish this project all the best!!!
-ONE LOVE-
cleo
yes …. this is completely a dream scenario in reality… beyond necessary – now – and something i can only wish i had as a child….to imagine the possibility ! … somewhere to actually teach you what’s essential…. how to take care of yourself ! live and be well rounded , trust yourself , be in this world , create what’s in your heart…. am very excited and interested. X
Mark
This video is lovely in so many ways. In a world all too often filled with coldness, the Golden Lotus School is exactly what is needed. The children that experience this beautiful school will receive a gift that is priceless. I pray that this school thrives and succeeds, and that it inspires others to build similar schools across the nation so that the seeds of change can be planted.
Michael
What a beautiful opportunity for the community to open the door to a new form of education. Living from the heart is something that everyone of every part of society can relate to but few know how. In our world where our minds are so overwhelmed by information this concept has the potential to give children the tools they need. Perhaps then they can enter that world with a calm clear mind that keeps all the noise in perspective. Awareness of the wisdom within, one’s body and the connection to nature takes us back to our natural way of being. What a beautifully done video about an enlightened concept by some truly beautiful people.
Cassie
What an incredible idea! This is exactly what kids need today. In my experience of teaching yoga to kids and high school students i find that often the kids are unsettled and their minds are wandering all over the place. This is exactly what kids need: to learn tools to stay grounded and centered, to connect to their inner wisdom, to learn about healthy nutrition, and to develop creativity through arts and music. And with children spending so much time on the computer, playing video games, etc. it is of dire importance to keep the kids physically active with the yoga classes, to have kids spend time outdoors and to teach them to learn how to live harmoniously with the land and environment.
John A
This is indeed a wonderful concept—particularily as it may benefit some inner city communities where access to this type of program may be limited. There is obviously great social awareness in this group.
Paul BF
What a beautiful gift this school is to our community. May it spread quickly thoughout the world. Our world so needs children and of course adults who live from their hearts. Bravo!!!
Rutu
I love this idea! May all of our dreams for a more heart-center world come true…and it begins with our children!
Thank you for this submission and your vision.
Jennifer Weinert
This project has been undertaken by a group of delightful people with a shared vision of offering an opportunity for our children to learn about themselves and the world in a different, more complete way. The school represents a new way of experiencing education- a way for individual exploration, discovery and growth towards each individual’s uniqueness. This initial conscious “experiment” will quickly become the template for future education- the model of hope for future generations. PLEASE let it manifest. For ALL of us.
Yulia Erez
The idea for such a school is really amazing!
Teaching kids oneness, spirituality, creative visualization, living from their hearts, appreciating the Mother Nature, developing their mind body and spirit by using techniques of Yoga and meditation, that is so important and needed.
Most of the schools today are paying very little attention to these most important concepts.
We definitely need a new WHOLE school system, that will teach kids these concepts from the young age in addition to math, reading and science.
I think Golden Lotus School Project is a beginning of this new WHOLE school system and really wish this project to succeed.
I would definitely choose such a school for my children.
Thank You for this wonderful project and Good Luck!
Leslie
What an outstanding idea to use this beautiful site as a community school, giving children the opportunity to care for and fall in love with the natural environment they are living in.
I absolutely love the idea of a place where teachers are there for the children, to help them grow, to help them reach their full potential. It is such a joy to see these projects in our community.
I wish you all the success with this extraordinary project!
Mirra
Finally, a school that will nuture the whole person instead of one’s parts. The world has focused only on the intelligence of the mind that can only see and feel a part of our existence. The heart intelligence, that is the focus of this school, will help humanity unite to our fullest potential by seeing and feeling our WHOLE purpose of existence.
Monette
It is wonderful to see education emerging that is truly dedicated to the whole person. Children do blossom and grow strong when their spirit is honored and given healthy examples with time-tested techniques. My children are grown now; the Golden Lotus school is the kind of place I searched for when looking for the best education for them.
Megan
Golden Lotus is an excellent idea. On a national level our community has been in need for a new educational paradigm. We can all see the magic that a child demonstrates; filters have not yet been built, cultural codes and habits are not yet in place. Children have the joyful ability to truely believe that anything is possible. Golden Lotus sounds like a place that will nourish a child’s wisdom while also providing the educational framework to use this wisdom!
Mathew
The Golden Lotus school is going to be wonderful. Helping children shape their way of knowing their true-selves at such a young age will have an huge impact on their lives. It will give them the foundations that are so important but many times are forgotten. This is something that I know will be absolutely amazing. The school will be beneficial to anyone a part of this miracle.
Cassia
This is such a great project! I am sure kids will have a fantastic experience and will learn a lot about how to build their inner strenghts and self confidence. The best gift you can give to your child is to give him the opportunity to undertstand how to unlock the unlimited potential. Thanks for having this great idea and for making the world better for the kids that will attend this school. This is AMAZING!
Kari
As a working mother, I welcome this alternative to traditional child education and care. Our childern need to learn to nurture their inner wisdom and voice as an integral part of their education process. Thank you to all that are devoted to providing holistic support to all members of our community!
Karen
this is a beautiful project. what a wonderful idea!
pali
Wow,
If only schools like this were around decades ago, perhaps we’d all be in a better place today. But it’s never too late to begin re-education of where all our decision need to be made from: our individual, and thus collective hearts…. and this school intends to help the newer generations, who can then bring it home to their parents, these ideas that will help re- structure our lives.
Pali
Nancy
Thank you for this incredible vision taking form. The Golden Lotus school is a true blessing for us all. The children will be supported to live from their heart and grow to share their gifts without the delay of trying to find themselves later in life. This is truly a blessing for the world.
Drew Stallcop
Wow! I wish my children could experience a school like this. What an inspiration.
Paula
Amazing! This is an excellent holistic school!
It is exactly what we need for kids and everybody else.
It will be a time to discover yourself, absorving arts and nature for spiritual enrichment. Fantastic Social awareness in this school for a better world.Congratualations for this GREAT idea!