Students, teachers and close disciples of Swami Shan-
karananda Giri have waited for ISA team at the airport,
off ering us a heart welcoming surprise. It is not often
that one travels to India, and visiting this country of
such spiritual heritage can be bewildering for the
souls of westerners, but when the welcoming is done
in such “home from home” manner, the eff ects have
been unforgettable for us.
The welcoming surprise has continued with our arrival
at the P.E.M.S. headquarters - where several students
have enchanted us with shankha, the conch shell that
has very strong connection with the Hindu religion.
It is said that when shankha is blown it announces
the victory of good over evil.
The joy continued with meeting Swami Shanka-
rananda Giri, Swami Kalikananda Giri, Mr. N. Prasad
(Principal of the school) and other school dignitaries,
as well as Ms. Shivangi Saraswati who has organized
much of our arrival, to its perfection.
At Integral Studies Academy both lecturers and
students are engaged in practical transformational
programs that aim at increasing the natural state of
happiness, as the main base of a creative and fulfi lled
life. This deep understanding of complexities of lives
and education from an all-encompassing perspec-
tive is also the basis of the collaboration between
P.E.M.S.- Kriya Yoga Foundation Trust and the Integral
Studies Academy.
Having agreed to schedule 3 days of consecutives
meetings with hundreds of teachers, students and
parents of P.E.M.S, meant that we had soon started
with the series of meetings from our short visit.
The joy and common interests have kindled more hap-
piness amongst our participants; here is shown the
fi rst day of our meetings with Swami Shankarananda
Giri, Mrs. Irina Childs and the principal entering the
Festivities Hall, followed by Ms. Shivangi Saraswati,
Mr. Biswajit, Mr. Somardolea and some of the lead
teachers.
A symbolic ceremonial of light off ering has been com-
pleted by fi rst Swami Shankarananda Giri and Swami
Kalikananda Giri, followed by the main speakers. The
consecrated ceremony united our joint intention for
Divine education and wisdom.
Page 12 | Monad 5 / 2017