Experiential Learning – The Permanent Kind of Learning
February 6, 2015 • Spiritual Adventures
Day 8 of our North Indian Spiritual Adventure…
We arrived in Samode late in the evening the previous night, checked into our tents, had dinner and went to bed after 2 days of intense traveling. The tents at Samode Bagh were more like “glamping” (glamorous camping) than camping. After all it was the Maharaja’s summer retreat and he sure was not going to be spending it in a tent. The 20 acres of grounds here were truly spectacular. Gorgeous gardens and and the main building with its flowing staircases and waterways made it the prefect place to settle down for a few days of diving within.
It’s not easy to share the learning aspect of our journey. So much of the teachings that I do each day on the trip is accompanied with experiential learning. The best kind of learning as I told all our spiritual adventurers. It’s the kind of learning that no one can ever take away from you. Once you experience something no one can ever remove that experience from you. And the goal is to experience what we are learning and not just intellectually fathom it. The intellect can be swayed but if you experience internally what you have learnt than it becomes more than just belief. It changes you. It becomes you. And the next goal then is to experience it over and over again till it permeates every part of you.
Our day in Samode started with a 90-min yoga asana class with Robin which she conducted in the beautiful gardens. Then the rest of the day was filled with classes with me which were held in a gorgeous white mandapam (pillared outdoor hall) in the center of the royal gardens. We dived deep into the spiritual path and the practice of meditation. We started each session with a 30-minute guided meditation that was clearly outlined and goal orientated. They were a serious group of students – serious about their learning which inspired great classes and meditations. But our serious study was always filled with laugher and so was our entire journey. We held true to what my guru once said “Life is meant to be lived joyously!”
Lunch on this day was in the beautiful gardens under the trees with sounds of birds, squirrels, cows and all kinds of wildlife around us. Plus a peacock in the tree.
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