July 13-17th, 2023 – Gamla Skolan, Ydrefors, Sweden
Report by Emma Nimbekar
A Gurukula Conference on “Transformative Learning and Higher Consciousness” was held July 13-17th, 2023 in the Centre of Neohumanist Studies in Ydrefors, Sweden.
The beautiful Swedish countryside and the pleasant summer weather made the conference settings lovely. There were about 40 participants and everyone enjoyed the program. There were lectures and workshops on different aspects of Neohumanist Education. In the evenings participants gathered together around the bonfire to enjoy spiritual and cultural programs like storytelling and music. During the conference people had time to share ideas and discuss together in a relaxed atmosphere.
Kulapati Dada Shambhushivananda and Dada Sadananda discussed the conference topic, Transformative Learning and Higher Consciousness, in their presentations.
Marilyn Mehlmann is a founder member of Legacy17, an international not-for-profit cooperative of consultants, practitioners and educators focused on supporting the realization of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. She combines backgrounds in psychosynthesis, empowerment, and action research to co-create new methods and tools for community, personal and professional development. She held workshops on Values, Empowerment and Transformation.
Emma Nimbekar presented the system of Finnish Early Childhood Education and Care and showed which features of Neohumanist Education can be found in it. She also pointed out that those Neohumanist features that are less present in the Finnish ECEC today could be strengthened through the development of awareness. She stated that every child has the right to spirituality and that it should be guaranteed by the education system.
Yolande Koning shared the experiences and practices of neohumanist education capitalize in her kindergarten and after school care project Zonnelicht in Netherland.
Richard Öhman showed in his presentation how capitalist financing of private schools has caused damage to the whole education system in Sweden. It has increased disparity and inequality, and lowered the standard of education.
Didi Ananda Devapriya presented many Neohumanist projects that she has been involved in in Europe and especially in Romania. She is involved in working with the refugees from Ukraine.
Prabhakar Överland gave a workshop on using knowledge of the dynamic balance of the sentient, mutative and tamasic forces to solve problems in everyday life.
Dada Shambhushivananda shared his insights in early childhood education from the Chitmu experiment of Gurukula Learning Center. Ranjana from Ukraine decided to visit Anandanagar this winter to assist as a volunteer for a brief period.
Marie Koschorke from Commedia School in Denmark entertained the participants with her clown outfit and hilarious acts. Dada Shambhushivananda, Priitilata, and the trainees sang Prabhat Samgiita with their sweet devotion. Alexander and Marilyn Mehlmann from Stockholm shared their latest compositions of music.
The entire event was recorded by Alexander Kopetzsky of Austria/Germany and photography was done by Dada Priyakrsna from Italy. Didi Ananda Bhadra helped out in the kitchen and the participants left totally vibrated by satsaunga (divine company) of neohumanist educators.
Priscilla Cubo (from Japan/Brazil) and her friends found time for sauna at the newly constructed facilities in the Green House. Some like Mikael Söderström, Aw Awar and others escaped to take a dip in the cold waters of the pristine lake nearby.
The participants hope that they can meet every year during the summer for elevating Gurukula events at Ydrefors.