“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes” Carl Jung

I AM

I SIT
I SHUT MY EYES
MY FINGERS TOUCH
I AM STILL
I AM THAT I AM

( Chapter One from the I AM SERIES )

written by Elly Molina

Photo courtesy of Chalese Smartt

In 2010, a group of dedicated parents , my dear colleague, Cody Rothwell and myself embarked on a comprehensive venture to create a private school for young children ; a school unlike any other public or private school in existence today.  Our school was  situated on a park like, rural 10 acre property, where children were safe to  explore and create.  The property boasted,  old growth , douglas fir trees,  an orchard,  a garden , a “fairy forest”,  an outdoor stage and play area.  The newest building was heated by geothermal energy and our long-range vision included solar panels for alternative energy sources.  The principles  of our little school, spoke directly to our relationship to nature and to the world .  In the same way we prepared the soil to make it fertile to plant a seed, our philosophy and curriculum prepared the child’s mind for knowledge .  The core  components of our educational philosophy included  a Mindfulness Curriculum  which incorporated brain physiology, brain anatomy, neuroscience,  along with natural awareness ( compassion, empathy, responsibility, reflection, communication, perception and expression) . We were developing lateral thinking skills and concentration with attention to quieting the mind, enhancing focus and concentration.

Our program focused on self exploration. The program allowed the participants to acquire the ability to be present in the classroom and in their lives. It provided them with the tools to actively listen with an open mind,  to analyze and integrate what had been learned with  openness, self awareness and insight. Our mindfulness program provided a platform for children to gain a sharpening of insight and appreciation of the world’s diversity and richness.

We believe from the young person’s understanding of self comes the ability to appreciate the value of another’s experiences.

Our Mindfulness program served as the natural bridge to the world . Five days a week at approximately 9:30 am , a group of 12 young children would sit in a semicircle on a blue carpet in our classroom.  We had just reviewed the days of the week and the weather.  The children would then sit criss-cross applesauce, with their tiny fingers in the "Zoot" position ( what I called when we connected the first three fingers of both hands)  and silently and eagerly wait for me to begin some extraordinary  mental exercises  Each child had a pair of black blinders ( the kind you'd get on an overnight airline flight) which were placed over their eyes.  The journey inward  was about to begin.  Over the past few months they had been practicing creative visualization,  telepathy, telekinesis, out of body and remote viewing.  The children also learned yoga breathing  , intuitive heart work and  how to quiet  and still their minds.

Although our little school needed to shut it’s doors in the summer of 2011, the experiences and teachings the children learned are still a vital  part of who they are and who they have become.  The photo above was taken just recently. Here, a young boy, who was only 4 in  2011,  is  sitting in a treehouse at Whistler, Canada, with his fingers in the “ zoot “ position , and contemplating ( as he related to  his mom) .

I am grateful this family shared this photo with me and gave me permission to use it.

I am also grateful to the group of loving parents, and my colleague , for having created this unique school that brought and gave so much love to the  children and their families in our community.