Pangea by American India Foundation

PANGEA Not islands, nor continents. Let us make together a pangea of relationships. Let us make together again a pangea of relationships. We are all one people. We are one humanity. The whole Earth is one. We are one Pangea. Not islands, nor continents. Let us connect hearts with hearts. Let us connect pieces of the Earth with the bridges of love. Let there be no gap between Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians. One may be Russian, Chinese, African, Japanese, American, German, Iranian. All are the same blood, and the same water. Ishwar, Allah, Nanak, Christâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they all gave the same message of love and compassion. Real religion is to serve; to live with love and to share love. All the nations must learn to live in harmony. Where all are friends, and no one enemies. Not islands, nor continents. Let us make together a pangea of relationships. Let us make together again a pangea of relationships.

Made with love by Charlotte Brown and Ilana Millner AIF Clinton Fellows, Class of 2014-2015

For Priyanjana, who helped bring us together. ----------

AIF would like to cordially thank SBMA Ashram for hosting us, as well as for the delicious food and the innumerable cups of chai.

The AIF Clinton Fellowship Class of 2014-2015 would also like to thank Khushi and Mohan for making us feel at home; and Sridar, for making us feel like family.

Our Journey to APV

Illustrations by Ilana Millner

Anandji (Anand Dwivedi) The morning assembly at APV on the 6th of September made all of us—AIF Fellows and staff, APV children and teachers—experience a powerful feeling of oneness, purity, and goodness. This experience is at the core of APV's philosophy. We believe that each one of us is an energy field manifested in form. Through meditation we purify our individual energy fields and begin to contact the cosmic energy field that is infinite love and intelligence. Group meditation-sittings enable us to contact the cosmic energy field simultaneously and we begin to feel that we are all waves of the same ocean. We believe that this feeling of oneness is the quality of genuine democracy and oneness of all human beings. In this feeling forms are seen as manifestations of the cosmic energy field, which is beyond all forms, beyond time and space.

Photo by Ilana Millner

Experiencing this oneness and then expressing it through your work, sharing it with others, backing it with scientific research (when available!) is what we need in order to make a better world. I strongly feel that it is exactly this that AIF–APV partnership is doing.

AIF Clinton Fellowship Staff When the opportunity arose to complete the AIF Clinton Fellowship class of 2014-2015 Orientation at APV School, it was a moment we at the Fellowship could not pass up. The partnership between APV School and AIF has spanned 10 Fellows over the past 12 years. At the crux of the dynamic relationship between the two organizations is the mutual emphasis on community. AIF Fellows build a community, beginning with Orientation, that serves as a defining structure of their next 10 months of service as Fellows and often well beyond. APV’s use of meditation as a core pedagogy builds lifelong curiosity in students and a dedication to bettering their internal and external selves. In both organizations, it is the emphasis on a supportive community of learners that allows it to thrive. As the book will reveal, the four days shared between Fellows and the APV community left a lasting impact on the 2014-2015 AIF Fellowship class; shaping their conception of service, gratitude, and inner exploration as they began their 10 month Fellowship journey. This book captures brief snippets of memory, from the perspective of both the APV students and AIF Fellows, of what made the beginning of Orientation so notable. We hope you’ll take a moment of your day, breathe deeply, and enjoy this walk through a magical four days of collaboration, laughter, and community building. Happy reading to all! – Priyanjana Ghosh, Cassie Denbow, Eli Monroe, and Oindrilla Roy

Sridar Iyengar Every year, for the past five years, visits to APV have proven to be highlights of my year. The spectacular setting and the mindful community give me a high each time I visit. But what I look forward to most is to seeing the children. While many of them have grown since I first met them, they will always be children to me. Seeing them grow up is part of the magic of being involved with APV. I have always wanted others to experience the APV moments. In the past few years, many prior Fellows have accompanied me on my visits to APV and all have left with the same feeling of joy at what is happening here. For the past few years I have had this idea of bringing all the AIF Clinton Fellows to APV during Orientation week, so it was terrific that we did it this year. Giving forty other people the experience of Buddha Field and Chandrabadani, introducing Bijli, interacting with Sirji, enjoying sweet buffalo milk tea, etc. is something I will cherish forever. The bond between APV and the AIF Clinton Fellowship remains as strong as ever.

Photo by Indu Chelliah

Khushi Malhotra For over the past two years APV has been a strong undercurrent of my life. I came as an AIF fellow in 2012-13 and continued my journey with APV afterwards as a member of its family. Every year, the experiences of the Fellows who come to serve at APV is one that definitely alters and deeply transforms, due to the emphasis on personal development and evolution, meditation and community. The hardships and utter beauty of rural mountain life are a further cause of pause amidst the whirlwind of modern life. Being at APV instigates the dialogue of what true seva is, especially for those of us who do work in development. AIF is such a platform for reconfiguring the model of service—serving through humble understanding and observation, a thirst for growth through challenge, and the development of leaders as collaborators.

Having an enormous double rainbow anoint our temple visit spoke so clearly to the uniqueness of this place, or as Eli put it, “feeling tiny and wonderful at exactly the same time.” And that is how our kids make me feel because of their innate curiosity, and the joy that is fostered by APV’s emphasis on fearless education. For those of you who flip through these pages and see APV for the first time, my hope is that these letters, pictures and drawings will trigger the same spark deep down in you as it has in the fellows and staff of AIF who are magnetically pulled back here year after year. Khushi Malhotra APV Teacher & AIF Fellow 2012-13

I feel very blessed to be involved with two such organizations where I am asked to honestly look within to serve outwards. I feel even luckier to have been able to share my experiences as an alumni with the five AIF staff and thirty or so fresh fellows who came to APV as the spark of a ten-month transformation throughout India. I kept telling everyone that they couldn't have had a better introduction to the Fellowship and what its heart is all about. The fellows' enthusiasm amidst the difficult mountain journey, power outages, and rains made them even more eager to dive into the APV experience. Seeing many of them meditate for the first time, explore the jungle, and sing and be boisterous with our kids really was a highlight of my time here because it allowed me to do what I love: share the most special place on earth with other people, and experience APV and its magic for the first time again and again through their eyes.

Photo by Ilana Millner

Shanti Mamgain I heard last year that AIF Fellows were coming to visit our school, but for some reason they couldn’t come. Sridar tried his best but it didn’t work out. Like last year, this year I again heard that AIF Fellows planned to come to our school. First we were not sure that the Fellows would come here but at last it became sure. I couldn’t believe that they were coming! Many questions came to mind: Will they like it here? How will we feel with them? We all were excited to meet them. We prepared some dramas (skits) for them. At last the day arrived. The rain welcomed them here. That night it rained heavily. I prayed to God to stop the rain.

In the evening we all did meditation together in the assembly room. I felt very good during meditation with them; it was a different energy. They were all very serious, even though for some it was their first time. They all were very nice people. I miss them sometimes. Though they were here for a short time, it was amazing. I hope we will see each other again. It is a nice memory for me. I am so grateful to them for coming here to visit.

Next morning also it rained heavily. The path became slippery; I was worried that it would be a problem for the guests and also that the children would not come to school. When I walked down to the school, I saw all of the children except a few, and the guests. I became very happy. We all stood on the veranda and did a meditation practice. We felt our body and observed nature. A huge ocean of fog was spreading all around. We did meditation and music in the assembly room as wealways do. All enjoyed the prayers. Afterwards, the children performed their dramas. The burst of laughter made the assembly room echo. The whole atmosphere was filled with laughter. After that, Sirji taught practical algebra and some people participated. As the day passed the weather also changed its form. The rain stopped and the ocean of fog disappeared. We all went for a walk to Buddha Field. We saw different types of natural scenery. The horizon turned golden in the soft light of the setting sun. The hills became very clear after the rain. The next day we went to Chandrabadani. The environment showed us beautiful and unique scenes like a double rainbow and gorgeous valleys. I felt amazing with them.

Photo by Ilana Millner

Suman Khoyal Before the forty-five people from AIF came, the children were preparing dramas and Hindi dramas (skits) with much anticipation! All of the teachers were very excited to meet many of the visitors for the first time, and to see old friends. I had many, many questions turning over in my mind. At last they arrived! We were happy they were here, even though it was raining. Because of the rain some children in my class did not come to school, which meant we could not perform the drama we had practiced. At first I was a little upset about this, but when I saw the AIF Fellows enjoying and laughing at the older studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drama, I felt happy. I did not think that all of the people would fit in the assembly room, but was pleased to see everyone sitting and relaxing in meditation. Then the music started, all of the Fellows and staff became absorbed into the sound of the children singing and playing instruments. Some Fellows were looking around at the posters on the wall, and the Fellows who could read Hindi read the lyrics from them and tried to sing along with us. After assembly I went to my classroom and settled in. Suddenly, four Fellows entered, one with a camera! At first, I felt a little shy. But I saw that the visitors were anticipating learning something new and I felt filled with energy. I had the idea to teach division with beads. First, the Fellows were just observing, then I gave them a math problem to solve with beads, so they would take part. After that, I invited them to play a math game with role-play. Some people were bankers and some were customers, so there was a lot of interaction between students and guests.The Fellows saw many activities, some English, some dances, some dramas, and they saw how we teach playfully. They were very impressed and in awe of my class.

The next day they went to the temple and then returned to play and have a party with the children. Everyone was enjoying the party, but one event drew our attention: four students were eating from the same plate; two students were Muslim and two were Hindu. It was inspiring to see their relationship of equality. I did not want the Fellows to leave because we were learning so much from each other.

Photo by Ilana Millner

Mohan Panwar It was getting dark and we were waiting for our forty-two guests to arrive. By the time they arrived at the Ashram some of them looked tired. Along the way they had encountered delays because of a landslide, blown-out tire, and a tree fallen onto the road. That is the way to get familiar with the remote Himalayas. On the first day the weather welcomed the guests in a mysterious manner as a thick layer of clouds had covered all the mountains, hills, and valleys. Soon, it started raining and I thought these friends were only going to get glimpses of the Garhwal Himalayas. It was assembly time at APV. I thought the rain had taken away some potentially magic moments. Still, assembly started first with the observation of nature, then meditation, followed by singing with many types of instruments. As soon as the children started to sing it felt like the whole valley was resonating with their revolutionary voices. I saw many friends were so touched that they could not stop the tears from flowing. The whole room was charged with positive vibrations. Many of them did not understand what the children were singing, but they simply felt touched. This is where we go beyond language. Whenever we have guests in our school, the children want to give their 100%.

breathtaking and all the friends seemed impressed by it. I got an opportunity to share the history of Chandrabadani and the history of the late Swami Manmathan, who led many movements in this region including successfully stopping animal sacrifice at Chandrabadani. Khushi led yoga and meditation. That scene for me was very touching and it gave me the feeling that we are all the same. Then we split into two teams: one returned home by car and the others walked down the mountain. As we arrived at APV, the children were waiting for us even though it was a Sunday. So the guests played with them and enjoyed lots of food. In the evening, we had a fusion of guitar, dholak, and flute with three cups of tea. Sridarji, Eliel and myself could not stop jamming for hours and hours. It was soul soothing, indeed. For many, this was an opportunity to make new friends as we all come from different and unique backgrounds. It is interesting to know each others’ likes and dislikes, to understand each other. We don’t know how meeting new people triggers many types of waves in our minds and hearts. And we don’t know how many of them come back from touching the shore of infinite oceans. This occasion was like a celebration for me. I do not know how many of these friends I will get to meet again, but I am sure when we do meet again our eyes will wink and we will know that we have met each other somewhere in the Himalayas.

As the day progressed, the clouds slowly began to disappear and the beauty of the mountains was revealed. Slowly the small clusters of villages were visible on the small hills and the sun also came out as if to say, “have a great time!!” People were amazed by the view around Anjanisain. At night, the sky was clear and the stars were shining. I felt that the next day was going to be a sunny day, and that our friends were going to love it. We began our journey to Chandrabadani Temple the next morning. We took five cars and drove, but it was foggy all around. As we were approaching the temple, suddenly the clouds cleared and a stunning, huge rainbow appeared in the sky. We couldn’t stop gazing at it. I saw everyone taking many photos. The view from Chadrabadani was Photo by Ilana Millner

Lucky Panwar We were all waiting with anticipation for the AIF Fellows to arrive. When the Fellows came to school on the 6th of September I was so happy. That day it was raining very hard. Unlike the days before, the weather was in a different mood. Fog spread in all four directions as it rained heavily. That morning we stood on the veranda observing nature in meditation. After that, we all entered the assembly hall. Everyone felt the peace and the calm of meditation in the hall. The children’s faces were full of excitement. After singing, the children showed everyone a program full of dramas and dance. Slowly, slowly the sky began to change shape, and the sun’s rays lightly fell across the Earth.

Photo by Ilana Millner

The next day we all went to Chandrabadani with the Fellows. It was an amazing day. Some of the valleys below were covered with a layer of fog, and towards the horizon the dawn’s red light was shining. A bright rainbow covered the sky. The fog cleared and the sun began to shine. After that we all sat in a circle and meditated together. After meeting all the Fellows, I felt inside myself a tremendous inspiration that I could be something and visit other countries.

Photo Sridar Iyengar

Charlotte Brown A few moments stand out when I scan my full vault of memories from just 3 days at APV. First is the sweet memory of our arrival. We were greeted by Mohan Bhai’s infectious, unwavering energy, a power outage, and light rain. We clambered into the dining room, drawn there by the smell and promise of dinner. Immediately, the large concrete room, lit only by our joy, iPhone lights, and candles, was filled to the brim with the chatter of forty new friends. I closed my eyes for a moment and listened to this song; I felt a deep sense of connection to our Fellowship class and knew that coming to APV was a very good decision by the AIF staff.

Dear APV Students, Thank you for being such fabulous hosts. Your dramas were very well performed. You sang vibrantly and straight from the heart in assembly. Your smiles demonstrated the effortless happiness that springs from creating a mindful community. You showed off your killer confidence and mad skills via games of football and jump rope. Most importantly, your presence invited all of us AIF Fellows into the present moment with you, where we felt our capacity for connectedness and contentedness increase. You are wonderful teachers and I am so happy to be learning from and with you for the next ten months. With love, Charlotte Ma’am

The next memory-moment was in morning assembly. As Anandji warmed up the harmonium and the kids eagerly awaited their cue, I could see looks of minor confusion and anticipation on my co-Fellows’ faces. Then the moment came, the almost unrecognizable cue. The children burst into singing prayer with drums and chimes to keep rhythm. There was a wave of awe and deep emotion, which bound every person in that room to the present moment. It was so palpable. Suman Didi took my arm and I felt at home. Lastly, I have a memory of a moment that defies time: a day that began with the unspeakably precious sunrise at the temple, Chandrabadani, and concluded with a simultaneously honest, heartfelt, and mindshattering conversation with a small group of Fellows on a rooftop. As Louis Armstrong says, it was a “bright blessed day, and dark sacred night.”

Photo by Ilana Millner

Ilana Millner I tap my feet, bite my nails, and chase my thoughts like dogs their tails. I try sitting still, setting worries free, but inside I’m running constantly. I spend all day in this buzzing state, where time just never wants to wait, and so it was when we left Delhi, and began our journey to APV.

On drums our rhythm was duly set, a guide for the days ahead as yet. We filled each moment like it was three, climbing up Chandrabadani, where we saw math in a whole new light—a double rainbow to be precise! Then counted beads, and watched Anandji teach through stories at APV.

I felt restless as our cars wove round—pausing in small mountain towns; Some chai to sip by a fallen tree, a stop to wretch, a stop to pee. A hard rain fell as we arrived—eager yet nervous ‘bout what was inside; we heard sweet voices, and smelled hot tea, so we followed them both into APV.

As always, time seemed in a rush but it never got the best of us; instead we played and sang freely, not just as friends but as family. We saw new faces, met new hearts, and forgot that we were ever apart. We meditated, and steadily, we learned to breathe at APV.

Amidst big piles of wet backpacks, a candle’s glow, and shadows black, we met dear Khushi and Mohanji, who helped us settle in comfortably. We huddled close and trudged to bed, following where the flashlight led. Then I tucked myself in, and lay patiently, awaiting the dawn at APV.

When it came time to say goodbye, not a single eye was dry; with piles of bags and memories, we waved farewell to New Tehri. When most still, we were most moved— it’s a balance that shifts the whole of you. We know this now, and gratefully, I can finally sit still and think of APV.

In just a blink the sun was new! I stretched, and felt my mind stretch too. We all descended merrily, to eat sweet jam and slurp sweet tea. An hour later, stomach sated, I climbed to where the students waited; Fellows played football with muddy glee, ‘till the school bell rang at APV. We shuffled in and with crossed-legs sat, adjusting to our new habitat. We were all alert, listening carefully, for clues and cues we couldn’t see. A harmonium sighed, a tabla tapped; a tiny girl smiled, I smiled back. A hush fell soft for Anandji, and the music rose from APV. Like a wave it hit, those brilliant sounds, lifting me off newfound ground; I knew neither words, nor melody, yet both welled up inside of me. Tears rolled down cheeks like notes down scales: the precise tone made as the Earth exhales. I closed my eyes and found I could see—so it goes, at APV.

Photo by Ilana Millner

Asmita

Indu Chelliah Photo by Indu Chelliah

Photo by Ilana Millner

Visiting APV was an absolutely unique experience. Of course, it was funâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;I loved our time playing games, was impressed by the theater and music presentations and Somi's photography skills, and of course, enjoyed the natural beauty. What I appreciated most, however, was the reminder that education comes in many forms, only one of which is academic. By including music, art, meditation, and visual-style learning in the curriculum (among other things), APV students are ready to do well both in higher studies and as healthy people in the rest of their lives. Congratulations to the dedicated staff and the bright studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;I can't wait to see what accomplishments come next from APV!

Babita

Photo by Christopher Witschy

Frank Alexander From the bottom of my heart, I wish to say THANK YOU to all the teachers and students at APV School. It was an experience that I will always remember and that I will share with my family and friends around the world. I learned so many things during my short visit. During the school plays, I learned about a pigeon that flies all over India to find his home and his friends. I also learned about how villages work together to provide water for each other. There are so many great actors and musicians at APV School! Mohanji taught me how to count with beads. Many students taught me how to play soccer and jump rope. Anandji and Khushiji taught me how to meditate for the first time in my life. Now, I want to start doing meditation all the time! Thank you for welcoming me to your beautiful home in the mountains. I will always remember the fresh air, strong rains, swirling fog, epic clouds, and enduring sun. See you all again! May peace be with you, Frank 17

Adam Pearlman When I was twenty-five years old I found a book by Jiddu Krishnamurti containing a series of lectures and discussions on mindfulness, its relationship to intelligence, and the immense impact that being passively aware of our thoughts and our surroundings can have on our wellbeing and our interactions with others. I was immediately captivated by this philosophy and I read every Krishnamurti book I could find. When the AIF Fellows visited APV we were invited to participate in a morning meditation session with Anandji and the students, and I was amazed that the students were being exposed to a similar type of mindfulness in their daily routine. Having experienced some of the changes that can occur when we practice mindfulness and awareness I have a deep appreciation for it, but I cannot imagine how different my life would have been had I been exposed to this from such a young age. I think students everywhere would benefit from integrating some of APVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s philosophy into their curriculum.

Photos by Adam Pearlman

Ganesh

Golu

Photo by Ilana Millner

Sarah Machanda Nestled along the curves of the majestic Himalayas lays the treasure that is APV School. The children run up the steep hills full of life and excitement each morning. They are free to learn, play and grow in a joyful environment. The talent, heart and wisdom of each child in the school blew me away. During our visit to the school, we had the opportunity to spend two days with the children. We entered the school and were treated to several performances both musical and theatrical by the students of all age ranges. We participated in meditation with the children and staff as well. When the children broke for their individual classes we sat and observed the learning take place. The second graders I observed had the opportunity to practice the skill of division through a market simulation activity, which both they and I loved! After leaving the school and site I had an incredible feeling of peace and admiration for the work being done here. Each child that I spoke to said, without hesitation, that the best part of their day is meditation. The children here are not only exposed to learning in an interactive and meaningful manner, but are also able to practice meditation and music. The school is part of a strong and loving community in which each child is pushed to achieve at the highest level in a manner that is best suited for the individual. It was such a pleasure visiting this school and gaining inspiration from the students and staff.

Jainab

Photos by Ilana Millner

Keshav

Miriam Hartmann “Cymbals” Not having worked with kids in the past, I admit I was feeling a little unsure of myself during playtime before the start of class. We had started our day with yoga and meditation—a powerful start to our visit to APV, but one that I was unsure how to transition to this next part of our schedule. After a while, the kids gathered for open-eye meditation before assembling in one classroom for song. As we sat down around the cozy room with a floor covered in blankets, I was handed a pair of finger cymbals. Shortly afterwards, voices in the room began to rise in song and a medley of instrumental sounds filled the air. After some gentle coaching from my co-fellow, Shubham, across the room, I picked up the gist of my cymbals. Joining in the melody, I began to be overwhelmed with emotion. Even now, recalling sitting in that room, I begin to feel the warmth, love, hopefulness, and sense of community surround me. I began to cry. It’s hard to describe the full gist of what I was feeling or what made me well up with such emotion. I think it was the beauty of the moment, the beauty of being able to connect to something so special and to have that experience with my coFellows as a source of our own connection. The power of that moment continued with me throughout our visit and will forever stay with me—as a memory of the magic of APV and of my time in India. Thank you for that.

Photo by Miriam Hartmann

Photo by Indu Chelliah

Photo by Charlotte Brown

Manisha

Photo by Stephen Coger

Photo by Ilana Millner

Manoj

Photos by Ilana Millner

Mohit

Kayalyn Kibbe As we climbed up the mountains in our caravan of Innovas, I had no idea what to expect from the next few days. The views were breathtaking, the carsickness was a bit unsettling, and as the sun began to set, anything seemed possible. Before coming to APV, I had never really meditated before. I used to sit quietly and try to think of nothing and call that meditation, but I had never had anyone lead me through the experience. As Khushi talked us through our first meditation session on the first morning, I was able to let go of whatever it was that had always held me back during my previous "meditations." For the first time in months, I was still with my thoughts and feelings, without holding onto them or judging them, but simply observing them. My time at APV was so incredibly special because I was able to be still in a beautiful place with kind, loving people. The students at APV were so welcoming, and fun to play with! I felt at home the moment I arrived at APV, and that sense of belonging, and calm, stayed with me throughout my time in the mountains. My favorite moment during my time at APV was when we were able to meditate with Anandji and the students in the classroom. The energy in the room was so inclusive, and seeing how focused the students were in their practice was inspiring. I will always cherish those moments of quiet meditation. Thank you, APV family, for welcoming us with open hearts. I will never forget my time at your beautiful school!

Photos by Kayalyn Kibbve

Muskan

Photo by Vishal Aditya Potluri

Photo by Vasundhara Jolly

Photo by Ilana Millner

Photo by Laura Guzman

Larry Reinhard To the kids of APV,

Photo by Larry Reinhard Photo by Dia Das

I had an amazing weekend with you guys! It is still one of the best memories that I have made since I have been in India. I have never been to India before and I want to thank you all for making the start of my trip so memorable. I really enjoyed playing soccer, watching you guys learn, and meditating with you all. I am so excited to see the people that you grow up to be. And to Somi (my buddy), I had so much fun playing with you! I hate that you learned that I do not like to be tickled. The tickle war is not over, I will get you! Until next time, Larry Reinhard

Somi

Pankaj

Andrew Jelinek My experience at APV, even just for a weekend, was inspiring. I've worked as a teacher in the United States, and rarely have I ever seen children so happy to be at schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;singing, meditating, playing music, and learning. It was equally impressive to see how creative projects and philosophical discussion were integrated into the learning process. While some schools segregate students into different boxes with minimal overlap (some students are creative, some students are logical, some students like to read, some students like to pursue the arts, and some students like to pursue math), APV seems to view all its students as having innate creativity and capacity for music, the arts, and meditation. And all of this goes side-by-side with all subjects and exists for all students. Partly in this way, APV educates the whole human being. I hope one day to visit again.

Photo by Laura Guzman

Photo by Laura Van Voorhees

Pepsi

Stephen Coger APV School and ashram is a beautiful place, is in a beautiful place, and I think it creates beautiful places inside people. I've been meditating daily for 8 years and I can say it has made learning so much easier. Our first morning at APV, I cheated during the musical meditation and looked at some of the children. They were NOT cheating. They were really with it. Then I watched them perform their various plays and bits of theatreâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; SO focused and positive. Then, of course, playing together for hours was another way to get to know these kids and perceive a bit how their education is touching their HeartMinds. I think they learn without fear and that this is a causal factor in their confidence and ability to learn and interact with new information and people. They are taught to truly be present, as we practiced during the nature meditation when school started. With this awareness practice, my hope in a world of peace and social justice strengthened. We humans must learn to live in harmony with nature as opposed to exploiting it, and these children are always aware in a very intentional way that our lives are dependent on the environment. Before anyone ever mentioned the possibility, I was already greedily thinking to myself, "maybe I can take a 2nd AIF Fellowship at APV next year..." Thank you, Khushi and everyone at APV! Big love, and in deep gratitude, Stephen Coger Photos by Stephen Coger

Preeti

Ramesh

Christopher Witschy Staying at APV was an experience to which words can hardly do justice. Hiking above mountains, fostering a child's creative expression through enabling him to click pictures, meditating with Khushi and Anandji, and listening to all of the APV songs and performances are memories I will always cherish. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to better know my Fellows in such a harmonious and transcendent environment. I learned so much and felt that I was able to return some amount of happiness to the crew at APV.

Photos by Christopher Witschy

Reshma

Raghav Anand “Wait...it’s just been three days?” In one short weekend, a small but extremely openhearted ashram community successfully bound together a confused assortment of forty individuals from various professional, educational, and even geographical backgrounds. Coming in to the experience after three days of formalities and workshops, we were all drained both physically and mentally, but the Ashram and our gregarious hosts breathed life into the group. Over the next few days, we trekked up meandering landscapes, battled monstrous, meaty spiders, feasted on fresh organic food, befriended an amazing group of dogs, meditated, and unleashed the inner child with students on the field. We even sat in on a math class—no easy task for many of us—and soon realized why Anandji’s teaching methods are considered so effective.

Photo by Dia Das

Most importantly though, was the fact that the people at the ashram welcomed us so warmly and made us feel right at home. Khushi, Mohan Bhai, Anandji, and of course the students personify that calm contentment that we all strive for, and they tried their best to spread that feeling to us as well. Staying at APV was fun, but it was meaningful in a deeply indescribable way too. I want thank everyone that made our experience what it was, and hope to come up again sometime in the near future.

Photo by Vishal Aditya Potluri

Alia Dharssi APV is a unique and fascinating place. From the spectacular views of the lower Himalayas to eating SBMA's delicious jams, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with the other AIF Fellows. One of the best parts was meeting all of the students. The first day we were introduced to the kids and heard them singing in the school assembly was especially memorable. I was impressed with the powerful and soulful way in which the children sang. I also enjoyed meditating with Anandji and the kids. The experience was calming and made me determined to take up the practice of meditation in my day-to-day life. Sitting in on a grade 2 math class was also lots of fun. All of the students were very attentive and thoughtfully solved math problems using beads. One of them even did impersonations of movie stars like Shah Rukh Khan as he solved the problem the teacher gave him. I'm so grateful for the warmth with which the kids, teachers, and other APV staff welcomed us, and will treasure all of these memories for years to come.

Photos by Sridar Iyengar

Rajiv

Sahil

Saurabh

Photos by Indu Chelliah

Photo by Julia Wallin

Vasundhara Jolly Lyrical Contrasts in the Himalayas: Pidgeonji made his way around India, stopping in many Indian states, and was welcomed by the students in imaginative and authentic ways. The students welcomed Pidgeonji into the Indian state my family is technically affiliated to, with poignant and heavy words by a revered female poet (Amrita Pritam), called Aaj Aakhan Waris Shah Nu—a poem on the rampant violence against women during the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan. “Once, one daughter of Punjab cried; you wrote a wailing saga. Today, a million daughters, cry to you, Waris Shah.” A little later that day, I was sitting with a few students and we decided to sing songs. They sang their favorite local Garhwali song, and then asked me to sing a song from my city. I racked my brains for a song that represented Delhi. What was local Delhi folk music? Could it be the Sufi qawalis of the Nizzamuddin Dargah or a Haryanvi song of the harvest? Perhaps a Bollywood song that was written as an ode to this great city? Before I could contemplate further on which song would perhaps best exemplify the character of Delhi, the kids launched into an animated rendition of Honey Singh's “Chaar Bottle Vodka” (Four Bottles of Vodka). I laughed hysterically as I joined them for the chorus. I was amazed at the dichotomy of our days: meditation, yoga, and a song with a sad theme of violence and yet, merely hours later, we sat here and sang a popular Punjabi hip-hop song about clubbing with friends.

Photo by Vasundurah Jolly

There is no way to convey this moment to you, except if you hear this song—do pay close attention to the words—and while you do so, imagine yourself in the most serene and peaceful place in the Himalayas. (On the right: skipping with Neha - of course I lost the competition) Photo by Elaine Coloco

Noor

Eliel Talo I had no idea what to expect from APV, but it was the unexpected that made it such a consistently fun and memorable experience. Whether it was Anandji’s thoughtful tangents, the way the clouds broke across the valley, or the unexpected feelings that would well up during mediation, I never knew what to expect there but consistently felt rewarded. The enthusiasm of the students, whether playing soccer or performing dramas, working on math problems or deep in meditation, was inspiring and wonderful, no more so then when they all broke out into song to the accompaniment of Anandji’s harmonium and Mohan’s tabla. After only a few days in India, and after a long trip from sunup to sundown that carried us up, down, and around mountains along dusty narrow roads, I didn’t expect much from APV. However, each morning, no matter how early we were up, held something meaningful. Each afternoon, whether spent with the students or out hiking, left me more filled with energy. Each evening, I ate dinner amongst good people and gratefully collapsed on a rough mattress, sleeping fully. I know it must be possible to get tired of the mountains and clouds and light from APV, that seeing those incredible views out of a schoolroom window must eventually get mundane, but for the brief time we were there I found something new and meaningful in every day, and I won’t forget that.

Photo by Eliel Talo

Sunil

Photo by Indu Chelliah

Photo by Kayalyn Kibbe

Photo by Laura Van Voorhees

Photo by Kayalyn Kibbe

Sunita

Suraj

Laura Guzman Our journey from the stifling heat of Delhi, to the cool lightness of the APV School was long. The train journey, early. The roads, winding and full of unexpected impasses. There were chai breaks, landslides, fallen trees, missing drivers, and meal breaks. Each kilometer we advanced brought us closer as friends, and closer to APV. Once we arrived at the school, weary but happy, the skies opened and the rain began as night fell. It would continue for longer than we thought possible, only to break just before we commenced our hike up to Buddha Field. Those days were full of so much joy and peace. Together, we spent hours gazing at the Himalayas in the distance, such a welcome break from the sights of the cities and crowds we left behind. We spent hours talking, learning about one another, and sharing stories of lives past and dreams for the future. We connected with the teachers at APV, played jump rope, football, counting games, and more with beautiful children. Together we learned about meditation, the Himalayas, Pigeonji's travels, the dances and cultures of this vast country and more. All of this community, all of this peace and joy, was a meaningful and grounding way for me to start my time in India, and I thank everyone at APV for opening their hearts and home to us!

Photo by Laura Guzman

Photo by Ilana Millner

Sushma

Photo by Alexander Hunt

Photo by Stephen Coger

Photo by Adam Pearlman

Vinit

Photos by Ilana Millner

Photo by Ilana Millner

Photo by Dia Das

Deepak

Mrinal Mohanka We'd been told that India would surprise us, even though some of us are Indian fellows, and my first surprise came on day one of our time at APV: the confidence of the fantastic children. I've had the opportunity to work with children in India before, but I couldn't help but marvel at the manner in which these children up in the foothills of the Himalayas carried themselves. Whether it was the tremendous self-belief and confidence displayed while performing their plays for us, the swagger on the football field, the enthusiastic spirit in the classroom, or their jovial general demeanour while carrying out casual conversation with us Fellows, I know that these children never doubt themselves or their ability for a moment. It is a testament to Anandji and the other APV teachers for the values they've instilled in these children, and it opened my eyes to the power of holistic education and the real difference it can make to a child and help fulfill their potential.

Photo by Miriam Hartmann

Photo by Vishal Aditya Potluri

Alexander Hunt My experience at APV had a profound impact on me and was the perfect way to set the stage for the next ten months of service, learning, and personal growth. It is clear to me that APV's power lies in three main strengths: the people, the vision, and the setting.

Photo by Ilana Millner

Meeting the leaders and teachers of the school and ashram, I immediately got a sense of each memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal commitment to make a positive impact on Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development by preparing the next generation of mindful, socially responsible citizens. I was particularly struck by how the young students were able to focus their energy on meditation multiple times throughout the day, and how this directly influenced their work on math computations and language learning. Witnessing the success of APV's holistic approach to education made me reevaluate my own life and the role that meditation could play in achieving mindfulness in my work, my relationships, and my spiritual growth. Finally, the Himalayas were the perfect setting to inspire and facilitate such mindful living. The sweeping mountain views and crisp, clean air provided a quiet, peaceful environment conducive to learning and meditation. I truly appreciate the opportunity to experience the lifestyle that APV promotes, and I look forward to seeing how the students grow and evolve under such remarkable guidance.

Photo by Alexander Hunt

Himanshu

Sahil

Jessica Meckler What an introduction to India! My visit to APV was my first trip in India, and it was incredible. My favorite memory of the weekend is playing football. The students at APV are very talented players, and being on the field reminded me of my own childhood. There is nothing better than running around and laughing. I think that APV is a special place. The calm and quiet of the school and the Himalayas soothe the mind and the soul. Too often we are drawn into a hectic cycle that leaves little time to listen to our souls. We are distracted by work. We do not leave time to enjoy the beauty of nature and listen to our own thoughts. Visiting APV reminded me to purposefully slow down and center myself as I embark on my journey in India.

Photos by Jessica Meckler

Ranu Nath Poem for APV The roads spiraling ever so closely to the mountains The tall green trees Those rays of morning light and the grassy lanes And the sudden bursts of night breeze Suraj folding his hands and greeting us hello Neha clutching on to her jump rope ready to wow They giggle as they race one another in the field They close their eyes and sing with all their might Their spirit unconcealed Oh what a sight! These are the things I feel, hear, and see When I spend my time at APV

Photos by Ilana Millner

Jainab

Mohit

Kutika

Photos by Ilana Millner

Neha

Elaine Colaco I’m not a mountain person. From Delhi to APV, the early morning waking up and most importantly the motion sickness—3 times, no less—I wasn’t quite sure what to expect at APV. Once we were there, it was a different world. The crisp beautiful mornings—so different from humid Delhi—made it a pleasure to wake up and feel like you were part of the day. The meditation, teaching us to gather and focus our thoughts, comforted me as much as the many, many comforting cups of tea. But what struck me most was the children. As I mentioned to Anandji, each one of these children is super bright and super confident, and that confidence and cheekiness only comes when you’re secure in the knowledge that you are loved. I’d like to send a message to some of the children I spoke a lot to: Neha, you impressed me so much with your bubbly personality. You are a master skipper, the queen of Antakshari, and full of drama. I love your expressions and the emotions that you put in every sentence and I hope that you maintain your joyfulness and love for life when you grow up.

Sharmila and Golu, you guys are adorable. You’ve just joined APV and you’ve said already that this school will be much better than the one you used to go to. I hope you’ll be very happy here! This is the picture that you wanted me to send to you. Manoj, you’re so mature for a young boy and are always looking out for your brother Suraj and the other younger boys. I’m sure you’ll grow up to do great things. To all the other kids, you’re very lucky to grow up in this school. You’re taught music and meditation and how to apply all your book-learnings in a practical way. I wish I had been to a school like yours! I loved being with you all and hope I can come visit you all soon.

Here’s a picture of the best friends doing what they do best!

Photos (Left and Upper Right) by Elaine Colaco; Lower Right by Ilana Millner

Photos by Ilana Millner

Shubham Fitkariwalla The Amazing Spiritual Experience @APV, Anjanisain, Uttarakhand I remember the 6th of September when we sat with the children of APV in the early morning. They started singing prayers of nature, god, and the beautiful creation of god. This moment became nostalgic for me because I could remember my school days, singing prayers in line with my friends in school. Anandji talked about meditation enlightening us toâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;what we are, what is the purpose of our life, why we are here on Mother Earth, and what our duties are as good human beings. Meditation gave me immense pleasure and energy for the rest of the day. The climbing of hills, the plays performed by children, the early sunrise, the mountains, the presence of Bijli, the management of Mahanji and Khushi, the enthusiasm of children to mingle with us, children playing flying disc with me, sessions with teachers on jokes and stories with good moralsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all of these remain in my thoughts and memories of APV.

Priyanshu

Radhika

Dia Das When I walked into APV, it was raining. I was wet, hungry, and very tired from going up a windy hill for way too long. But within moments, all of that slipped away, like the drops of rain running across my nose, and I was filled with a sense of magic and excitement. Maybe it was the impromptu meditation session over dinner, or perhaps the cups of delicious chai in the candle lit hall, or maybe it was the crisp dewy air of the mountains that did the trick. Whatever it was, I was soon filled with a warmth in the pit of my tummy that made me want to smile all day long. And it was so easy for that silly smile to stay plastered on my face for over two days, because all around were the happiest, funniest, kindest bunch of children I ever met. They let us loud, (probably) strange-looking bunch of fellows into their lessons and hearts with equal ease, showing us what real skipping looks like (Garhwali girls can jump!) and what real music feels like. I remember on my last night before leaving, sitting on the benches that overlooked the mountains, watching the lights from the houses on the hills twinkle like stars, and thinking about all the walks taken, meals shared, and moments of silence enjoyed over the past two days. Except the two days didn't feel like days but rather entire lifetimes. For me thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the magic of APVâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;its ability to make you take the time to feel, and think, and laugh without worrying about where you should be going or what you should be doing. That and of course the wise words of Pigeon-ji.

Photos by Dia Das

Rahul

Ryan Corrigan Compassion. Laughter. Song. Anger. Sadness. Silence. The three days at APV brought on a whole spectrum of emotions, pulling our hearts and minds (and stomachs) in ways many of us had never felt before. They were an invitation. An invitation to breathtaking mountains. An invitation to witness noncompetitive, mindful education. An invitation to traverse the sometimes difficult channels of our brains yet unexplored. And an invitation to open our hearts more fully to each other. For me, the experience was profound. Morning meditation yielded powerful emotions which flooded my chest with pain. By late morning, pain turned to joy as I played, sang, and danced with all of my new friends. By the end of the week, I feel like a better person. APV students, you have rocked us.

Photos by Ilana Millner

Laura Van Voorhees “Learning to Be Still” Before my trip to APV, I did not think I could sit still. The first two times I practiced meditation, my body felt restless. I tried to sit with my legs crossed and my legs began to hurt. Then, I had to move my leg only to have it hurt again in the new position. It was a true challenge.

Photo by Sridar Iyengar

After my visit to APV School, something changed. I remember climbing the concrete steps, hearing the noises of children playing soccer, jumping rope, and swinging. There was so much activity. Then we paused from our play, everyone came together at the front of the school, and we watched the morning trees, the rain falling slightly on the branches. I remember exactly how the branches of the trees curved and how the damp morning mist felt as I breathed it into my lungs. Then we entered the classroom and sat down to meditate. I was nervous at first because I was having a hard time sitting still. I peeked my eyes open and I saw all the children sitting still and I thought, if they can sit still in one place then I should be able to sit still too. I could sense everyone sitting around me. For the first time, I was able to sit without moving my legs or feeling that I had to move. I realize now when I remember my time at APV that my memories are very clear. I remember the sound of Neha’s laughter, the smell of the rain falling on the leaves of the trees, and the colors of the sunset against the Himalayas. Taking the time to sit still helped me to be more aware of my surroundings and form stronger memories. I’m thankful that the students at APV showed me how to pause so that I can be more mindful.

Photo by Ilana Millner

Shyam

Kashish Ashwin Advani I was hooked the first time. The first time I saw her, the first time I learned about her, the first time I played with her. She brought out a feeling within me I could not escape. I could never have enough of her. She is one of my longest relationships. She appears in my dreams, I picture her while I’m gazing off into the sunset, I regularly remember old times together. She loves and she hates me. Who else could cause such heartbreak? Who else could provide so much joy? Sometimes, she brings the best out of me. Other times, she can bring the worst out of me. She is the love of my life. I spent time with her at APV in the mountains. I spent time with her in the beaches of India, in the front yard of my parent’s house in the USA, on the streets of Spain—I’ve gone everywhere with her. I am sometimes defined by her. When some friends of mine think about her, they think about me. I cannot imagine a world without her. I love her. She is football.

Photo by Indu Chelliah

Reflection on APV Every time I think about APV, try to describe it to friends and family, or talk about it with people who also visited it with me, I continue to come back to the struggle of explaining why I think APV is special. I can’t define its inherent beauty. The combination of the people and environment, merged with the attitude of the institution, have created a special place. The beautiful teachers and students, the beauty of the environment. The aura that everyone at APV has created taps into selfawareness, freedom within a certain sense of discipline, and positivity. All of it brings an overwhelming sense of warmth to me. I initially visited with Sridar and a few friends in April 2014, with the purpose of seeing Matt Kelly and this mysterious and much-appreciated school called APV. I pushed myself to adapt to the schedule set out by Sirji, to wake up early and walk in the cold to sit and “practice mindfulness” for the first time. Then I found a calling in the kitchen. Suman and Reshma taught the intricacies of their cooking methods and laughed with me (or at me) as I attempted to help cook and communicate with them. Mohan wowed me with his ability to cook an entire group’s meal in what seemed like 30 minutes. Being removed from the commotion of civilization, and immersing myself in APV’s environment, the physical and mental struggle opened my eyes and helped me reflect on my habits and my thoughts. Mostly, I loved the genuine nature there.

women. Jumping back into the struggle of sitting cross-legged wasn’t so much a struggle once the kids and teachers overwhelmed the room with their harmonious chanting and happy plays and songs. The students impressed everyone with their attentiveness and ability to understand and follow the practices of mindfulness. They share, and they seem wise beyond their years. Yet, still it was clearly recognizable that these special kids, under the guidance of Anandji, are still kids. Kindergarteners are Kindergarteners. They want to jump around, play games, and consume the unknown. Kids playing football at recess are excitable and passionate. Whatever this is at APV—Is it a philosophy? A way of life? An Educational approach? I don’t know, and I don’t think it should be, or need be explained or defined. Who is teaching whom? When I spend time at APV I’m reminded again that “learning” and “education” are constant states, and that the “teachers” and “students” are learning from each other, learning from the environment, and learning from themselves. We’re always learning.

Although I did not continue to actively practice sitting alone to focus on my breath when I returned to my life in Mumbai, I found myself recognizing the act of recognizing my thoughts and being aware. What maybe I had done passively, I respected and understood more actively while I was alone or even talking with friends. Six months later, as we pulled up for the new class Orientation, I was surprised that Mohan recognized me immediately and said something to make me laugh. I shouldn’t have been surprised. That same recognition and happy faces were repeated with Lucky, Suman, and Reshma. I appreciate the stealing of smiles for no particular reason with those Photo by Ilana Millner

Shamila

Photos by Vishal Aditya Potluri

Shreya

Photos by Ilana Millner

Photo by Ilana Millner

Photos by Vasundhara Jolly

Suhani

Photo by Lara Van Voorhees

Photo by Ilana Millner

Photos by Ilana Millner

Farewell, APV! See you again soon!

Illustrations by Ilana Millner