It is Happening... I'm DOING it!

The time has come for me to return to India. A year ago this time I was in Varanasi or Benares, the city of death and rebirth. On my first night, while floating on Ma Ganga, or the Ganges River, I gave offerings that consisted of a foil dish with a candle surrounded by yellow and orange marigold flowers, as you placed the offering into the water you also said prayer or as I did a name to express love and gratitude. After placing three offerings in the river, I was handed another one, to the women and children of India were the words that appeared in my heart and mind. As I leaned over the side of the wooden boat I said out loud, “To the women and children of India.”

Throughout my 28 days there last year, I received messages, messages that I have carried with me in my heart, messages that continue to resonate with me today. Words of Service or Seva came to me during savasana, my final resting pose after my yoga practice. While talking with friends over lunch, images of me surrounded by children would enter my mind. I dreamed about teaching yoga to children. On one occasion I dreamed of boarding a white bus (many white vehicles in India have a capital T in blue with a circle around it indicating a Tourist vehicle). In my dream, the bus was empty so I got out. When I returned to the bus, it was filled with women and children from India and the only seat left was at the back of the bus. I got on.

Now, today, 25 days short of a year later, I am boarding a plane to get me closer to India.

My intention of journey is:

to let go of expectations and outcomes (known and unknown) and trust the process, that everything will be revealed to me as I am ready.

to learn from and be inspired by the people in India, especially the women and children.

I step forward filled with gratitude, love, light, excitement, curiosity and wonder.

In light, in joy, with love and gratitude,

Sara

Reflections Before I Depart

I have thought, more often now than in the past, that everything that has happened in my life has brought me to this very moment. There are a few threads that have been revealed to me as I spend time reflecting on why I am choosing to spend five months in India, with over three and a half of them unplanned. I smile seeing the Freedom Tower in the distance and the image of the wheelchair that symbolizes ‘handicap’ as it is a reminder of my early days as a “special education” teacher in a Collaborative Team Teaching classroom at PS 89 in Battery Park City.

My undergraduate work in education and anthropology was focused on Inclusive education, meaning ALL children.   Noticing people and observing them has always been an interest of mine.  Seeing people and valuing them for who they are is a gift of mine. The connection between studying education and anthropology and the lens in which I honor and respect individuals drew me to studying sociology as a masters, with a focus on policy and law. When I learned of the work of the folks in Reggio Emilia in Italy, I was not only inspired, I was comforted and motivated at the same time. They value watching, noticing and observing children; how they interact with their environment, with materials, with one another and with adults. They make it happen, it is possible!

This professional community has also inspired me to use the phrase “special rights” instead of ‘special needs’ or ‘disabilities,’ as rights are universal and needs are constantly changing. I am reminded of a poster that I saw in the Robben Island Museum in South Africa, the first line stated, “every child has the right to a name.”

I continue to be full of gratitude for the folks who hold space and ask deep questions that provoke thought and discussion, especially as I embark on this journey to the other side of the world. Our conversations about my role, my work, my intentions, my expectations and my lens has me reflecting and writing, which I love to do.

And then I find this quote from Werner Heinsenberg in 1927, that gives me pause:

“The observer alters the observed by the mere act of observation.”

Hum…. How do I observe while I am participating in the observation with my lens, my experiences, my perspective?

This is a question that I will continue to ponder and reflect on as I take steps on this journey. I am curious and welcome the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by a different culture, especially while thinking about children and a child’s perspective.

Here a a few questions that I am interested in learning more about:

How do children interact with their environment?

How do children interact with one another?

How do children interact with adults?

How do children support one another?

How do adults support children?

How do adults respond to children?

How do children respond to one another?

How are children valued?

In what ways are children valued?

Which actions and behaviors are accepted?

Which actions and behaviors are redirected?

Are children redirected?

In what ways do adults guide and support children?

In what ways do children guide and support one another?

Do children ask for help/guidance?

When do children ask for help?

What does it look like when children ask for help?

When do adults intervene or interject?

I trust that many more questions will find there way to me and more will emerge when I am immersed in the work.

In light, in joy, with love and gratitude,

Sara