Spritual Curriculum in Darshan Academy

1. Spiritual Curriculum Development and Teaching Methods

The spiritual curriculum for nursery school through grade eight, developed by an international team of educators, incorporates the best practices and latest research in effective education. Teacher's guides and illustrated student books are available for each grade level. The lessons combine a variety of methodologies including readings, vocabulary building, and discussions as well as activity-based learning through projects, hands-on learning, role-playing, simulations, learning games, and group processes. Lessons are interdisciplinary and involve art, music, drama, and literary activities. Students apply what they learn by engaging in a number of service projects that benefit the school, their community, and their families. Cultural programs, which include plays, musical presentations, and performances for other students, parents, and the community offer the children an opportunity to share what they have learned.

2. Meditation;

The spiritual curriculum includes lessons in the art of meditation. Younger students begin with five minutes of meditation daily. This increases to fifteen minutes in the upper grades.

Research shows that when people spend some time sitting in introspective silence they reach levels of physical and mental relaxation that foster stress reduction, increase their efficiency and productivity, and accelerate learning. By tapping into inner resources through silent meditation periods, students can access an inner spring of creativity, intuition, and wisdom.

3. Benefits of Spiritual Curriculum

Visitors to the schools can observe the beneficial effects daily meditation has on the students: concentration skills that help them perform better academically, increase of their sense of peace, which fosters harmonious relations with others. Beginning the day with meditation relieves tension, which helps students work more efficiently and with less stress. The atmosphere in the school is visibly peaceful and happy.

4. Ethical and Moral Values

The spiritual curriculum explores topics that promote ethical and moral values, such as:

- Non-violence, truthfulness, humility, purity, love for all, and selfless service;

- The benefits of keeping an introspection diary of one's ethical development;
- The value of good nutrition, maintaining health, and eating a vegetarian diet; and

- Personal goal setting

5. Cultural Diversity, Appreciation for all Cultures, and Comparative Studies of Religions

Another aim of the spiritual curriculum is to develop an appreciation and regard for people of all religions and faiths. Thus, it includes the comparative study of religions, including holidays (holy days) around the world and biographies of saints, prophets, and spiritual teachers of all religions. These multicultural studies foster appreciation and respect for cultural diversity, allowing students to explore the various religious and spiritual paths available to humanity

6. Spirituality and the Arts

Students also explore spirituality as expressed through the arts. They study spiritual art, music, poetry, literature, and drama through the ages. They also have an opportunity to express themselves through various art forms and develop their creative talents.

7. Leadership Training, Peace Studies, Conflict Resolution, and Communication;

8. Selfless Service;

9. Study Skills, Creative Problem Solving, and Decision Making;

10. Inner and Outer Peace;

11. Pre-school & Kindergarten Spiritual Curriculum; and

12. High School Spiritual Curriculum