5. A Space of Love

It is the intention of New Earth Institute to create and maintain a Space of Love. Our first priority as an educational institution is to commit to love as best we can at all times. For an environment of loving acceptance that encourages intelligence to function unimpeded by fear, by censure, by ridicule, by rebuke, all participants agree to honor and respect themselves and others.

In this Space of Love natural affection (hugging, touching with permission) is not regarded with suspicion, but deemed appropriate to loving individuals. It’s a sign that love, not fear, rules, that demonstrations of love are natural, not evil.

In a climate of love, life flourishes in the open rather than hides in the shadows. This is a climate. of brotherhood and sisterhood. Love, not fear, protects us like a gentle lioness.

FREEDOM
The Space of Love is also a pledge to freedom of thought, freedom of feeling, and freedom of expression. But freedom is not license to harm; At NEI we forfeit our right to harm others in overt and subtle ways. Here we are accountable for our words and deeds. Here we learn how to communicate non-violently and non-aggressively. We agree to honor others at all times. We learn to communicate our negative emotions --- anger, hate, jealousy, fear, suspicion --- in a way that communicates our truth, but preserves respect for the other.

Free people occasionally make waves. Except on the basics about how we treat each other, there is room for disagreement, for difference of opinion, for eccentricity, for individuality, for originality.

ORIGINALITY
At New Earth Institute the spark of originality is celebrated. Love does not accept mediocrity; conformity is not the norm. We applaud the genius and creativity of everyone. The fires of enthusiasm and passion shine brightly here. Flowers only bloom in the presence of light and love.

TEACHERS
Teachers here are not authority figures. They do not pretend to, and are not expected to know all the answers; they are capable of routinely admitting their ignorance. Questions, not answers, is the name of our game. The dominant question is not “Who knows the answer,” but who is interested in discovering the answer. Inquiry is our modus operandi.

Here there is no hierarchy, breeding fear and retribution. A teaching style that depends on earned authority rather than artificial authority teaches a different lesson to students, a lesson of freedom and respect; arrogance has no legitimacy in relationships among free people. At NEI the title does not possess authority; the individual who merits authority may.

Teachers are not in a class by themselves. Since they have no automatic and instant authority, they can be openly criticized and challenged.

TEACHERS AS STUDENTS
Unless teachers are avid students themselves, they fail to fulfill their role.
To ensure our Space of Love, it is expected that each teacher makes a regular practice of expanding his or her consciousness, discovering and coming to terms with his or her shadow self, so that he or she does not contaminate students with unresolved issues and well-disguised negativity.