by Saraswati Khalsa, school Admissions Director
Many parents today feel that they must choose between a quality education and values. That in today’s competitive world, children must attend a reputable school and focus intensively on academic achievement if they are to succeed in life. That other considerations, while important, must be compromised for the sake of financial security. This is an artificial choice however.
As we all know, success cannot be measured by income alone. Income, after all, does not necessarily translate into health, happiness or peace of mind. But why not have both? There is significant evidence that emotional intelligence and personal values are more predictive of future success than any measures of academic achievement or intelligence.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is comprised of a broad range of abilities, including awareness of one’s own emotions, the ability to regulate moods, the recognition of emotion in others, the ability to motivate oneself in the face of frustration, the ability to control impulses and delay gratification, and the ability to empathize. These abilities are synonymous with the values that we all hope to impart to our children: self-awareness, self-control, commitment, faith, empathy, compassion, and patience. By choosing a school that has an equal emphasis on academic excellence and the development of emotional intelligence, parents can have both.
Developing Emotional Intelligence through Spiritual Discipline
There is no question that high quality teachers and challenging coursework are critical to academic achievement. However, none of these can be effective if a child does not have motivation, self-discipline, commitment, patience and the ability to concentrate. The practice of spiritual disciplines like martial arts, yoga and/or meditation can complement the academic curriculum, allowing students to develop the qualities and values necessary to both academic and personal success.
At Miri Piri Academy, a boarding school in India based on the teachings of Yogi Harbhajan Singh Khalsa, school students are challenged by the internationally recognized Cambridge accredited academic curriculum. Their rigorous academic curriculum is complemented, however, by daily practice of Kundalini Yoga and pursuit of KRI Yoga Certification. Sitting still is not an easy task for adults, and is even more challenging for children. By slowing their breathing, watching their thoughts come and go, and working through discomfort and fatigue in challenging postures, the children develop an awareness of body and mind. Self-awareness is the first step towards self-control and empathy for others.
For Miri Piri Academy alumni, Amrit Kaur Khalsa, school success became easy “Going to boarding school in India made university easy for me. By practicing yoga and meditation, I learned to sit still and concentrate for an extended period of time. I could focus on my studies even if I was tired or uncomfortable. It really helped me learn to control my mind and keep going even if something is hard.” By choosing a school program that combines academic excellence with spiritual disciplines like yoga, meditation or martial arts, parents can give their children both the academic knowledge and emotional intelligence that they will need to be successful.
