EDUCATION FOR LIFE RESOURCES FOR INDIA
Updated 22 September 2024
THE EFL INTERNATIONAL WEB SITE: https://edforlife.org/
Comprehensive information about EFL for educators and parents worldwide, including articles and videos on EFL topics; courses and conferences; and links to EFL schools on three continents
THE EFL INDIA WEB SITE: https://edforlife.in/
Under construction as of this update, but already has several EFL resources posted.
PUBLICATIONS
EFL publications are available in paperback in many bookstores. The easiest way to purchase EFL books in India is through either Ananda Sangha Publications or Amazon India. Paperback purchases cost less from Ananda Sangha Publications, as it’s the publisher of EFL’s resources in India. Amazon India’s titles are imported.
Electronic versions of many EFL publications are also available in India through EFL International and Amazon India eBooks in Kindle format.
For those in the USA, purchase of EFL publications can be done through Crystal Clarity, publisher of EFL resources; EFL International; and Amazon US.
Below are brief descriptions of EFL publications, as well as:
• Links to sites where they can be ordered in India
• Prices as of the date shown at the top of this page
EDUCATION FOR LIFE: PREPARING CHILDREN TO MEET TODAY’S CHALLENGES (2nd edition)
The ‘EFL Bible’, authored by J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda), co-founder of Education for Life. Originally published in 1986, the 2004 edition includes additional information that give this edition even more value for teachers and parents than the already ground-breaking earlier one.
- English
Paperback: Rs 300, Ananda Sangha Publications
https://anandasanghapublications.com/products/education-for-life?_pos=1&_sid=057ac8dc5&_ss=rPaperback: Rs 2,038, Amazon India
Kindle: Rs. 210, Amazon India
https://www.amazon.in/Education-Life-Preparing-Children-Challenges-ebook/dp/B07W4DDBZ7/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lB4gVf4c5x5pRHuNXfWyzg.yyobgu5yivIg57Wj8BzvZg3X2GnN87mF0zmXE4-7InU&qid=1726041020&sr=1-1
- Hindi
Paperback: Rs 295, Ananda Sangha Publications
https://anandasanghapublications.com/products/education-for-life-hindi?_pos=2&_sid=057ac8dc5&_ss=r
HEAD & HEART: HOW A BALANCED EDUCATION NURTURES HAPPY CHILDREN WHO EXCEL IN ACADEMICS AND LIFE
A multifaceted account of EFL as applied at one of EFL’s most successful schools (Palo Alto, California), co-authored by three longtime EFL educators (George Beinhorn, Helen Purcell, and Gary McSweeney).
Free PDF download, Palo Alto Living Wisdom School:
https://livingwisdomschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/head-and-heart.pdf
Paperback: Rs 1,582, Amazon India
Kindle: Rs 195, Amazon India
https://www.amazon.in/Head-Heart-balanced-education-academics-ebook/dp/B01M6CTKZG
Free PDF download, Palo Alto Living Wisdom School
https://livingwisdomschool.org/happiness-success-at-school/
Kindle: Rs 521, Amazon India
https://www.amazon.in/Head-Heart-balanced-education-academics-ebook/dp/B01M6CTKZG
THE ROAD TO MATURITY: A GUIDEBOOK FOR EDUCATION FOR LIFE TEACHERS
A guide to help teachers apply six major skills for successful implementation of the EFL approach: entering the child’s world; clarifying awareness through meditation; assessing student consciousness; providing effective guidance; choosing curriculum to meet students’ needs; and cooperating with natural law so as to encourage learning from life.
Co-authored by EFL co-founder Nitai Deranja and long-time EFL teacher Irene Schulman.
Electronic version: Rs 840, EFL International
https://edforlife.org/the-road-to-maturity/
AWAKE AND READY: HOW TO WORK WITH ENERGY
AND MOTIVATE ANYONE
Eight ‘keys’ for directing the invisible flow of energy under-lying human interaction, not only in the classroom and home but even in the world of work. Distilled practical wisdom from the per–sonal experience of long-time EFL educator and teacher trainer Susan (Usha) Dermond, with highly engaging real-life examples.
Paperback: Rs 2,175, Amazon India
Kindle: Rs 1,316, Amazon India
LIFE SKILL ACTION CHARTS
A set of 15 cards with charts created by EFL co-founder Nitai Deranja to help foster development of skills for navigating many important areas of life. Gaining these skills in childhood carries over to adult life, as often testified by former EFL students in later years.
On each skill card appears an animal representative of the skill; a physical pose and an affirmation that coordinate with the skill; an inspirational quote and suggested activities to foster development of the skill; and a chart to use to plan which activities to work on as well as to keep track of carrying them out during the coming week.
Along with each set comes a parent and teacher guide for using the charts with children. Among the ‘little extras’ included: the Awake & Ready exercises and food choices that coordinate with each skill.
Paperback: Rs 450, Ananda Sangha Publications
https://anandapublications.com/products/life-skills-action-charts-1?_pos=1&_sid=f761b273d&_ss=r
Electronic version: Rs 1,008, EFL International
CALM AND COMPASSIONATE CHILDREN : A HANDBOOK
An excellent resource for developing character and universal values in children, especially centeredness and empathy. Author Susan (Usha) Dermond is a longtime EFL educator and trainer of EFL teachers.
Paperback: Rs 1,760, Amazon India
https://www.amazon.in/Calm-Compassionate-Children-Susan-Dermond/dp/1587612763/
FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE: SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND TEENS IN DISCOVERING LIFE’S HIGHER VALUES
Another excellent resource for developing character and universal values in children, both very young ones and teens. Author Michael (Nitai) Deranja was co-founder of EFL.
Many of the activities in this book have been incorporated into EFL’s Life Skills Action Charts.
Paperback: Rs 370, Ananda Sangha Publications
https://anandapublications.com/products/for-goodness-sake-by-michael-nitai-deranja?_pos=1&_sid=04d6a585d&_ss=r
Paperback: unavailable as of EFL Resources’ updating with no information about restocking, Amazon India
https://www.amazon.in/Goodness-Sake-Supporting-Children-Discovering/dp/1565891937/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1632567662&sr=1-1-catcorr
I CAME FROM JOY! : SPIRITUAL AFFIRMATIONS AND ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN
Originally created by longtime EFL teacher Lorna Knox as a non-sectarian resource for those who help in developing children’s inner life in spiritual education programmes or at home, this resource is also used in secular classrooms. Although 5 to 11 is the targeted age range, the activities are adaptable for other ages.
Paperback: Rs 950, Ananda Sangha Publications
https://anandapublications.com/collections/new-releases/products/i-came-from-joy-1
Paperback: Rs 5,156, Amazon India
https://www.amazon.in/Came-Joy-Spiritual-Activities-Affirmations/dp/1565891465
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD’S INNER LIFE
Advice for parents to help their children to develop awareness of their souls. Toby Moorhouse, the author, is one of EFL’s earliest and most respected teachers, with a main role in shaping the EFL curriculum.
Paperback: unavailable in India
Free download, EFL International
https://www.ananda.org/free-inspiration/books/supporting-your-childs-inner-life/
ANANDA YOGA FOR KIDS : AWAKENING CALMNESS, CONFIDENCE & JOY
(Originally published in Italian, entitled Il Piccolo Yogi). A book for guiding children up to age 12 in yoga that goes much beyond the physical body, beautifully explaining the poses and their benefits for the ‘energy body’ and the ‘spiritual body’. Included: 45 colour cards that each demonstrate one yoga pose.
The author, Arathi Sabrina Giannò, is a member of the European Academy of Ananda Yoga.
Paperback: Ananda Sangha Publications:
https://anandapublications.com/collections/new-releases/products/ananda-yoga-for-kids
OUT OF THE LABYRINTH : FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BELIEVE, BUT CAN’T
A demonstration of the true compatibility of scientific and religious values, and how science and cherished moral values actually enrich and reinforce each other.
It was the wish of author J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda), co-founder of Education for Life, that everyone involved with EFL become familiar with this book.
Paperback: Rs 100, Ananda Sangha Publications
https://anandapublications.com/products/out-of-the-labyrinth?_pos=1&_sid=96cb0510e&_ss=r
Paperback: Rs 230, Amazon India (be sure to get the 2014 edition, as Amazon also sells the earlier one)
Other EFL Resources
1. Children’s Music
Education for Life has many songs and chants written by its co-founder J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda) that are specifically for children, as well as a few by other Ananda members. All are ‘catchy’ as well as high in consciousness, loved by youngsters often into their later teens.
Ananda Sangha Publications also has many recordings of instrumental music by the same composer that are perfect to accompany quiet time or simply provide uplifting background music during activities.
https://anandasanghapublications.com/collections/chanting-cd-series/Audio-Chants
I CAME FROM JOY! CD
Some of the songs suggested by the author of the book of the same title, encouraging happiness and self-worth in children throughout the pre-school and primary years. Words are included for the songs, as well as helpful suggestions on how to use this music effectively.
CD, Rs 200: Ananda Sangha Publications
https://anandapublications.com/products/i-came-from-joy?_pos=1&_sid=865c81e08&_ss=r
YOUNG ANANDA SONG & CHANT BOOK
A collection of many children’s songs and chants written by Swami Kriyananda and several other Anandans, as well as cherished camp songs from around the world.
Free download, EFL India
https://edforlife.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Young-Ananda-Song-Chant-Book.pdf
YOUNG ANANDA GUIDE TO MUSICAL SELECTION, USE, & LISTENING LINKS
A guide to help music leaders, especially those in EFL, to work with the songs and chants in the above publication. Grouping of the songs and chants has been made according to type of music and fit with children’s stages of maturity. Also included: online links for listening and learning.
Free download, EFL India
2. ELF Curricula
MATH FOR THE FEELING YEARS
Authored by EFL math teacher Rachel van Boven, for math teachers to make their subject a little more ‘user-friendly’ for children 6 to 12: the stage of life when the children’s most common tool with which to learn is their feelings.
PDF, Rs 588: EFL International
BEARS IN FACT AND FICTION
Authored by long-time EFL teacher Karen Bharati Busch. Illustrated lessons showing how a child-friendly theme like bears can be used to introduce such prosaic topics as Venn diagrams and measurement to children ages 6-8. Also provided: a model for Flow Learning.
PDF, Rs 504: EFL International
https://edforlife.org/bears-in-fact-and-fiction-curriculum-packet/
I AM MASTER OF MYSELF, I AM CONNECTED TO ALL
Games, strategies, and activities for children 4 to 10 with which to nurture personal development and cooperation — including the mind/body connection, self-control, using will power to accomplish goals, community awareness, and other higher aspirations.
Mostly created by teachers at several EFL schools, with a few adapted from other sources.
PDF, Rs 336: EFL International
https://edforlife.org/i-am-master-of-myself-i-am-connected-to-all/
3. The Sharing Nature Programme
Sharing Nature Worldwide is a world-renowned nature education programme created by Ananda member Joseph (Bharat) Cornell. Its publications and resources, which have won many awards, are widely used in EFL.
At the programme’s website is a treasure trove of nature education resources, including activities, games, videos, and articles.
All the Sharing Nature books below were authored by this same author — other than the last, which was co-authored.
SHARING NATURE: NATURE AWARENESS ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES
The book that ‘sparked a worldwide revolution that connected millions of parents, educators, and children with nature’. A collection of Sharing Nature’s best-loved nature games for both children and adults.
Of particular interest for EFL is the book’s delineation of Flow Learning, an instructional strategy for engaging young learners in any new subject.
Paperback, Rs 530: Ananda Sangha Publications
https://anandapublications.com/products/sharing-nature-by-joseph-cornell?_pos=1&_sid=17ac5d853&_ss=r
Paperback, Rs 2,970: Amazon India
Kindle, Rs 315: Amazon India
http://www.amazon.in/Sharing-Nature-Awareness-Activities- Ages/dp/1565892879
DEEP NATURE PLAY: GUIDE TO WHOLENESS, ALIVENESS, CREATIVITY, AND INSPIRED LEARNING
As the introduction explains, the book is for ‘…those who perhaps have forgotten how to play, or who wish to incorporate more play into their lives, and for educators who want to teach their subject matter with greater impact and inspiration.’
The book is also ‘for parents and early childhood educators who desire to nourish and keep alive their children’s innate curiosity and playful spirit. Most of all, however, it’s for all those who want to touch and feel life deeply.’
Paperback, Ananda Sangha Publications
https://anandapune.org/product/deep-nature-play/
Paperback, Rs 3,430: Amazon India
Kindle, Rs 315: Amazon India
https://www.amazon.in/Deep-Nature-Play-Wholeness- Creativity/dp/1565893220
FLOW LEARNING: OPENING HEART AND SPIRIT THROUGH NATURE
Flow Learning is an instructional process relevant to all educators, not just nature educators, as it’s a magnetic way to engage learners.
Anyone who has ever used Sharing Nature activities or followed the Flow Learning process will find the author’s latest book a revelation as to the depth and full potential of this teaching approach.
Paperback, Rs 2,343: Amazon India
Kindle, Rs 1,763: Amazon India
https://www.amazon.in/Flow-Learning-Opening-Spirit-Through/dp/1565890957
LISTENING TO NATURE: HOW TO DEEPEN YOUR AWARENESS OF NATURE (2nd edition)
Although for more of an adult audience, much can be used from this book for children to help them experience the natural world’s serenity and mystery. Included, for instance: exquisite photography, nature awareness activities, and inspiring quotations from well-known naturalists.
Paperback, Rs. 2,047: Amazon India
THE SKY AND EARTH TOUCHED ME: SHARING NATURE WELLNESS EXERCISES
Also for a more of an adult audience yet can serve as a helpful resource for nature programmes with children.
Paperback, Rs 475: Ananda Sangha Publications
Paperback, Rs 3,590: Amazon India
Kindle, Rs 368: Amazon India
https://www.amazon.in/Sky-Earth-Touched-Me- Exercises/dp/1565892828
JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF NATURE
Stories from the lives of Jim Corbett, John Muir, J. Allen Boone, and other adventurers with many engaging activities. Although primarily for young adults, the book also offers adults opportunities a way to share adventures with older children, as well as for personal use.
Co-authored by Joseph (Bharat) Cornell, founder of the international Sharing Nature programme, and Michael (Nitai) Deranja, co-founder of the international Education for Life programme.
PDF, Rs 588: EFL International
https://edforlife.org/journey-to-the-heart-of-nature/
Paperback: unavailable as of this EFL Resources update with no information about restocking, Amazon India