We all have an inner life. Some describe it as spirituality, while others think of it as a “still place within” where we can collect ourselves and gather strength to meet the next challenge.
But whatever name we give it, the spiritual dimension of life, which is so natural and obvious to most children, is fully acknowledged in a Living Wisdom School classroom. Each child's individual spirituality is cultivated, within the family's faith. Living by spiritual values is emphasized in all aspects of school life, and all religions are honored.
We do not provide “religious instruction” in the formal sense. Our focus is on developing the child's awareness of qualities that are valued in all religious traditions, such as inner peace, love, wisdom, and joy.
Each Living Wisdom classroom has a universal altar on which are symbols of the world's religions, plus objects and decorations the children individually find sacred and meaningful. Every morning, we set aside time for singing, quiet meditation, affirmations, prayer, yoga postures, and other activities that help uplift the child's consciousness.
“My daughter all on her own put an altar in her room. She made it herself and changes it according to her mood. Right now it has on it pieces of colored glass, a little bear, a feather, nothing identifiably religious, just her own special icons. But she seems to understand that altar as a way of focusing her energy and appreciating and loving the world around her.” (parent, LWS Nevada City, CA)
We cannot overemphasize the life-changing power of the inner strength that our children develop. Many parents have told us how much they wish they had been encouraged to learn these lessons when they were young.
