Teaching Methodology

“It is only our lack of awareness that limits us.” –Eckhart Tolle

In the common education systems, there is a great flaw, which impedes the true learning process. A classic classroom system fails us in that it creates dependency, regimentation, apathy, and dulls ones fire to learn. The paternalistic follow-the-orders way of learning (and living) stifles the imagination and is tremendously wasteful of our human potential. We need to break away from this mold in order to reclaim our minds and spirits, and experience the richness of our creative power.

Our world is confronting desperate problems and we need all possible human creativity and pro-activity to solve them. We cannot just blindly follow our leaders, teachers, gurus and so-called experts. We must rise up together to make positive change, to break away from the collective insanity, and this means we need a new way to learn.

The very nature of living a simple and sustainable lifestyle elicits a new manner of learning in and with the world. It is a constant first-hand learning-by-doing in which we participate with our bodies, see our hands as useful tools, grow in emotional stability, and feel the power of our own potential. Since we are active participants in our cycle of livelihood, what we do or don’t do affects the whole system for better or worse, and reflects back on us. Through this direct interaction, we begin to understand that there is no separation between the world and us. Recognizing this connectivity automatically makes us more responsible, aware beings, freeing us to indulge in our limitless creative intelligence.

By participating in the whole experience of simple, sustainable living, we are already making the world a better place—using less of the world’s resources, setting an example for others, and rising up to our full potential as a free creative beings.

“The teacher and the taught together create the teaching.” –Eastern saying

At Mama Roja, we are a fellowship of learners and teachers, encouraging an atmosphere conducive to personal growth, where we can all thrive mentally, physically, and spiritually. We invite an expanded learning experience by seeing each other as valuable resources. Each of us has a vast treasure of knowledge and experience, and sharing that with each other allows us all to have more tools in our “personal toolboxes.” And we need all of the tools we can get to take part in the reshaping and redesigning of this world.

Just as learning from each other is natural, vital, and beautiful, so is making mistakes. If something is learned in the process, it is no longer a mistake! If you are stuck and just following orders, you are not really learning. So, ask questions, experiment, explore new techniques, bounce ideas off each other, and search for natural, healthy solutions, and congratulate yourself if you make a mistake.

“Growing and developing should be lifelong activities—one of the most pleasurable and exciting experiences of life at all ages.” –W. Coperthwaite

It is up to each of us to make this a rich, rewarding experience. So, let the learning process be fun and joyful! If we are not enjoying what we are doing, then we are doing something wrong.