Happy Independence Day

Let them be themselves

Hello Friends,

This is the first newsletter from APV in a long while. We thought what better time to write than Independence Day.

We’re writing this newsletter as gratitude to everything that happens at APV, everything that we get to experience at APV, and everybody that makes this happen. And you, the person reading this newsletter, are an integral part of our community of friends who make this happen as well. So as part of our APV family, we want to let you know what’s happening at APV so you can also enjoy it with us.

From Anand Sir

I was in search of a community, a community where I would feel comfortable with all my idiosyncrasies, where people would accept me as I was.

Anand Dwivedi, founder

Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye

Many of you may know our motto of the school is “Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye” meaning “Knowledge is that which liberates”. This phrase is taken from the Vishnu Purana which describes what true liberation is.

There is even the legend of Nachiketa where he asked Lord Yama for the knowledge that even death couldn’t take away from him. He called that the true knowledge. Some others called it the “TRUTH”. If knowledge is not liberating us from all the shackles within, then it is not true knowledge.

All the scriptures and mythological texts pointed to this source but many of us missed its true message. And so we started searching for happiness and peace outside – in name, in wealth, in relationships, in titles.

Not rote learning, but the journey within

At APV, we know the vehicle that inspires independent and free thinkers is not rote learning, but the journey within: Meditation. Meditation cannot be done by just reading. It can only be experienced.

At our school, we’ve tried to have meditation, awareness, and creativity absorbed in all aspects of the child’s school life to retain their inner freedom and confidence, their authentic inner bliss untouched by the wants of this world.

Four children standing on the hillside under an open sky

If somebody is free within, if somebody is peaceful within, they can live a happy life without. If the inner being is at peace, then they’ll be at peace even if they have lots of resources outside or not.

Two students in class, one holding up a peace sign

Children are free

In the 5-6 hours of school time everyday, children are free and independent. We try not to put them in fixed structures of walking a certain way, looking a certain way or talking a certain way. We let them be themselves.

For example, in the assembly, they don’t stand in fixed queues. They sit wherever they want.

A student painting a mural on the school wall

When they’re studying, they can literally study from any source. No fixed book is required. They are free to explore new ways, including dance, art, drama, poetry etc. Sometimes they’re studying inside the classroom, sometimes outside in nature. There is no boundary between the school building and the natural world that surrounds them.

A student playing the madal while classmates gather round

Music Class.

When they learn to write, instead of writing something from a textbook, they are left free to create their own stories and write. They can observe outside and write about the changing seasons, the birds and the environment. They can even write the daily routine of their previous day. Because the goal is to learn to write, and not to limit themselves to learning to write as only the textbook teaches.

Even in the friendships they form, they are not limited to the students of their own class/grade. The entire school lives as one and you’ll see a 4th grader being best friends with a 6th grader, and an 8th grader taking care of a 1st grader as though they are their own little brother or sister. Children are also free from archaic caste and religious structures that adults hold about who to be friends with and who not to. They are kind, compassionate and caring to all in their school community. We have so much to learn from them.

This freedom is reflected in so many places in our school that can only be experienced as you live it day in and day out.

Children eating together in two long rows along the school veranda

Children gathered outside on the grass with the hills behind them

Eating together, and class outside.

A teacher with a group of the younger children

So you see Friend, through these newsletters, you’ll get to know some very beautiful stories of people, incidents, activities that are happening at APV. So stay tuned, and have a listen to our freedom song.

From light to light,

APV Community

Founder’s Message

Namaste,

Independence Day is an opportunity for us to talk about the freedom of the individual as well as the entire humanity. It’s important to love our family and to take care of our near and dear ones but it is equally important to love our neighbours. Our country is our family, but it’s vital for each one of us to extend our love and respect to all the nations and all the beings of the planet. Let us give this message to all our friends and especially to our children because when we are not here, our children will be taking care of all the systems that rule the world today.

May you move from light to light,

Anandji

Our freedom song

Aazaadi Re

Lyrics and music by Anand Dwivedi, sung by the teachers and students of APV. From the album Prakash-Path.

Listen on SoundCloud