National Conference of Indian Society for Indic Studies (NCISIS2014) on "Integrating Yoga in Modern Education, " Conference Centre:

Vadodara, Gujarat 21st-23rd March 2014 Indian Conference on Integrating Yoga in Modern Education, ISIS-2014 1. Yoga and its Ancient Indian Roots Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root Yuj, which means to join, to merge. It is defined as the merger of individual life with Brahman, the origin of all life. This literal definition makes Yoga secular and all-inclusive globally. Rishi Patanjali, famed for his Yogasutras, taught at Takshashila, the oldest university in the world. But over time, yoga lost its prominence in the Indian education system because of onslaught of foreign invasions and rule. Michel Danino, an Indian author originally from France, has articulated this issue very clearly (micheldanino.voiceofdharma.com/colonization.html). Under the British rule, the Indian education was strategically dismantled, and simultaneously the Western education was glorified and implemented. But now in the 21st century, the Western model is facing its own challenges. An insightful recent article in the Time magazine has identified that the higher education in USA faces a serious conflict between knowledge and know-how (http://nation.time.com/2013/09/26/the-class-of 2025/). We infer that India has an edge in dealing with this worldwide situation because of its inherent receptivity to Yoga. It offers deep knowledge to understand how self, society and nature are unified, and know-how to transform ones personality for living a conscious life. In this sense Yoga offers a conflict resolution, though it requires working towards a paradigm shift.

2. Yoga: Solutions to the Contemporary Crises The Modern science and the education system is based on the fundamental unproven assumption that nature is only material. The modern technology-based advancements and physical comforts resulting into degradation of the planetary environment and human health are of global proportion. Deforestation, global warming, water shortages, industrial agriculture and fast food, intertwined with diseases, fear, stress, addictions, and random violence etc. are increasing at an alarming rate. The growing popularity of yoga and alternate health modalities are a proof of their benefits in making life-style changes. Yoga enables one to develop and practice tolerance, compassion for all life, eating satvic food, adopting voluntary simplicity etc. for a contemplative life. The ancient

division of the yoga system into Bhakti yoga, Gyan yoga, Karm yoga, Raj yoga and Hatha yoga makes it easy for anyone to reach the ultimate goal of human life, which is to merge with Brahman. 3. Existing Indian Educational Institutions Indian education system combines ancient and modern curricula to varying degree. A broad classification of institutions is: (i) Universities and colleges with some focus on ancient Indian culture through a department. Some examples are: 1. Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar, 2. Dept of Sanskrit, Punjab University, 3. Dept of Human Consciousness and Yogic Sciences, Mangalore University 4. Dept. of Sanskrit Studies, University of Hyderabad, 5. Center for Human Excellence, Kumaraguru college of Tech, Coimbatore (ii) Institutions that developed around the teachings of a contemporary yogi/saint/maharishi: 1. Ramakrisna Mission Vivekananda University, Belur Math (http://www.rkmvu.ac.in/) 2. S-VYASA Yoga University, Jigani, south Bangalore (http://svyasa.org/) 3. Yoga for Human Excellence educational program that the World Community Service Center (www.vethathiri.edu.in) established. Several universities and colleges in Tamil Nadu have adopted it. 4. Sri Aurobindo International center of education http://sriaurobindoashram.org/ashram/saice/ 5. Maharishi Vidya Mandir school group. Have primary and secondary educational programs http://www.maharishividyamandir.com/index.jsp. 6. J. Krishna Murti Foundation. Have 20 institutions in India. An example is the Vasanta college for women <http://www.vasantakafi.com>. (iii) Modern educational institutions that dont have a department or a program in ancient Indian culture, science and wisdom, for example, Indian Institute of Technology, Medical schools, Regional engineering colleges etc. 4. Suggested Steps towards Integrating Yoga in the Current Education System (i) Prepare a national policy statement to mobilize top educators, administrators and donors. (ii) Plan to educate current educators including parents. (iii) Develop a consistent and standardized curriculum in Yoga that can be integrated with existing departments at any institution. The integration strategy can follow the model of the sustainability studies program (SSP) at the University of New Mexico, USA, which is integrated with different departments at the university. (iv) Introduce leadership training and skills for personal and planetary survival, e.g., organic farming, plant-based cooking, sewing, hygiene etc. (v) Identify dedicated, experienced and influential conference participants to carry forward this task through future conferences and workshops.