SUBODI - Bawa styled retreat for soul

Ishara Jayawardane

There is a certain sense of tranquility and calmness in the environs of Subodi. The place has an effect on anyone who enters it. It gives one a certain peace of mind. The beautiful natural surroundings are so soothing and peaceful. It was designed that way by the famous architect Geoffrey Bawa.

It is a retreat for a different kind of learning and Daily News recently went there to interview father Mervyn Fernando, the priest in charge of Subodhi, Institute of Integral Education, Piliyandala.

The main purpose and goal of Subodhi is to contribute to society by putting young people on the road to a meaningful life. We live in a world with so many problems and conflicts such as crime, broken homes, corruption and drugs. Father Mervyn envisions an education beyond the school curriculum centering on the spiritual and other aspects. He feels that there is something more than exams.

Self understanding

"We have not only a head, heart and mind, but also a spirit. These dimensions of life must grow together. In a rose bud all the petals have to open up nicely. If out of 15 petals two or three are broken and the other are curled up and only four or five petals open out. It can't be a nice flower. That is what we try to do here at Subodi. We examine all the aspect of a person's life. We get them to look at all the aspects of their life and get them to experience the different aspects of life.

For example one session was on - Self Understanding, Who am I? Without understanding who am I, my weaknesses, strengths and abilities and talents how can I make use of them? Another aspect is maturity. Are you a mature person ? So we have a full session on maturity. Then there are attitudes and values. We live according to our values, if our value system is poor then we are in trouble. Are they in conflict with social values? Then there is one on sexuality. Not so much the physical bodily aspect of sexuality, but emotional aspects, sexuality in terms of relationships and love affairs and so on; moral and spiritual aspects.

Then there are Human Relationships. About 80 percent of any body's life is human relationships. So we have a session on human relationships.

Communication

The importance of relationships and how communication comes into relationships. Another one on your future, what are you going to do? What kind of a profession do you want to do?," said Father Mervyn Fernando.

Father Mervyn Fernando Pictures by Sarath Peiris

Father Mervyn's students have told him that his courses have made a big difference in their lives even a four or five day course. They have really appreciated what they have been taught. "They have given us a very good feedback. So this is my idea of an integral and holistic education. In other words, education must include all the aspects of life. I would also like my teaching system to be of benefit to schools. We have two or three types of programmes. One is the Education for Life Program which is four or five days. We have a shorter one for leadership training for the school prefects, where we focus on what is leadership. And how a prefect can be a leader in a school and when he/she leaves can be a leader in society. Although it is short it has quite a big impact.

They say that it has benefited them well. We are also building a program for teachers. Because children are in the hands of teachers, we must get teachers to understand how important they are and help them grow with human values.

And I have received a lot of positive feed back from the teachers. Some of the teachers find my courses very useful. We feel that our children can benefit from our programs"

Father Mervyn feels that everyone can be fine people and great human beings. "Even if you haven't passed your exams very well, all of you may not be able to get A's and B's, but all of you can be fine people. You may not be very good at mathematics or science.

Asset

"What is more important is that you become a fine human being. You must be an asset to you and your country and not be a burden. We take people of all religions. Whatever be the religion all religions say the same thing. Be a fine high quality person. Be a fine human being."

Father Mervyn Fernando is also into Astronomy as well. He got interested in Astronomy as a student. "I happened to read one or two books in our school library. And I got very interested in Astronomy. And so I then kept reading. Astronomy is a subject I have studied on my own. It is self study. I haven't faced any exams or anything. I was the president of the Sri Lanka Astronomical Association for many years. It is a personal interest, a serious hobby.

When I was abroad I followed a few courses. And when I came to Sri Lanka I joined the Astronomical Association. Now they have appointed me as the chairman of the planetarium advisory committee. I have set up as Astronomy club here for students. Every Saturday they meet from the surrounding areas. We have about 25 members with two hour classes on Saturday afternoon," he added.