As director of Global Village School in Ojai, California, I recently had the opportunity to host Nepali teacher and visionary, Chintamani Yogi. Yogi Ji visited us as part of his six-week tour around the U.S. He shared chanting, stories, and reflections; told of his work in Nepal; and left everyone with much food for thought. His presentation truly did take place in ‘sacred space.’ There was such a special loving feeling in the room. It was a magical evening.

Yogi-Ji has had ample opportunity to reflect on educational strategies during his 25 year tenure at HVP, during which time enrollment has grown from seven students to 1,200 students. He has come to the conclusion that the kind of education a child receives matters a great deal. Truly engaging and informative education needs to value culture. Education that does not address a student’s culture takes learning out of context, which makes it difficult for the child to relate information to their daily lives or to value their own traditions.
Yogi Ji also reflected on how his perception of the US has changed during his trip across the country. He spoke of how he saw a different America – very different from the way most Nepalese see the U.S. So many dream of coming to the U.S., imagining that life is like what they may have seen in movies: money and Manhattan. Yogi Ji said they would be amazed to see people practicing yoga in places like the Sacred Space Studio.

Mr. Yogi also met with staff at Krotona and the Ojai Foundation, where he found many parallels to his own vision of service, sustainable living, and creating community mindfully. He stated that, “All the good people whom I met here have touched my heart. I feel a great joy and satisfaction. All the good people have broadened my vision and energized me a lot; their love has become like a blessing for me.� Yogi Ji was also struck by the natural beauty of Ojai, saying that it reminded him in many ways of the Nepalese landscape.

Yogi Ji went on to share information about Nepali culture and traditions. He explained how, in Nepal, a visitor is treated with infinite respect, like a god. He invited people to visit him in Nepal, saying, “Give me a chance to serve you as a god. I would be so happy to show you around.�

He told us that NEPAL stands for Never Ending Peace And Love. Yogi Ji spoke about how in order to truly understand something it is important to listen to the heart. Through words we can communicate, but for transformation one needs heart. Speech is not needed, as transformation can occur through a touch, or a smile.

Yogi Ji spoke of the contrasting types of poverty he has observed. “In Nepal,� he said, “the stomach is empty and crying. In America, the heart is crying; there is an emptiness of culture.�

Those assembled were reminded of the words of Mother Teresa who said, “In India people are poor; they have nothing to eat. American poverty is more terrible – there is no feeling.� Yogi Ji challenged the audience to ponder which is more important: living more productively (much emphasized in the West) or living more beautifully?

In closing, Yogi Ji told the audience a story about a student who went to his spiritual teacher, saying, “I want to do something for humanity.� The teacher said “Become a good human.� He noted that it’s easy to follow a particular religion. It is more difficult to become a good human.

I was inspired and re-energized. For me, Yogi-Ji’s visit was one of those spaces in time when you step back and say, “Ah, yes, life is good.�

Sally Carless, M.Ed., Executive Director
Global Village School
P.O. Box 480, Ojai, CA 93024
Phone/fax: (805) 646-9792 www.globalvillageschool.org
Educating for a better world, one person at a time

Chintamani Yogi, a long-time Heaven subscriber, is the founder and principal of Hindu Vidya Peeth (HVP) - Nepal, a not-for-profit school that focuses on educating children from financially challenged families. He is also the founder of Shanti Sewa Ashram in Kathmandu, a common forum of 21 social, cultural and educational organizations that focus on selfless service. In addition, Mr. Yogi is a patron for the youths involved in Nepal’s Youth Society for Peace.