Our Vision
PranĀm Collaborative Learning Services…
provides modular, learner-centered programs designed to help disciples of Jesus holistically understand and value the complexities and beauty of Hindu culture. These programs facilitate critical self-reflection and humble co-learning for those living alongside the Hindu diaspora and for professionals abroad who interact with Hindu communities where they work.
What does Pranām mean?
Pranām is a traditional greeting within Hindu culture that is usually accompanied by a humbling posture when coming before someone to show reverence, respect, or honor. That posture can range from fully prostrating oneself to simply pressing your palms together at your chest and bowing your head. This is often done at a temple during darshana. One of the most common forms of pranām is charanasparsha which includes bending to touch someone’s feet. This posture puts the other person in the place of honor above yourself, and is often done towards elders, teachers, or gurus.
Our desire for ourselves and our clients at Pranām Collaborative Learning Services is to posture our hearts like this, in reverence before Lord Jesus as we seek to follow Him and in humility before our Hindu friends as we seek to honor their culture and learn from them.
Program Design
Our programs are modular, which means they are made up of a sequence of self-contained learning modules focused on specific topics. Each module has its own assigned material, activities, purpose statement, and learning objectives.
Our programs are multi-level, which means modules are grouped into self-contained sequential levels, so that each level can function as a separate program.
Our programs use a cohort model, which means a group of 6-12 colearners progresses together through a set of modules or an entire level as a shared learning experience.
Our programs are portable, which means they can be organized and hosted in any location that meets two simple requirements: There must be at least one large Hindu temple and some local disciples of Jesus living respectfully alongside Hindu communities in which they have developed a good relational network.
Our programs use collaborative learning methods, which means groups of colearners must work together through a sequence of group learning activities. Collaborative learning methods are learner-centered rather than teacher-centered or lecture-centered. The traditional role of the teacher or instructor who lectures as an expert is replaced by the role of the facilitator who guides the progression of group learning activities as an experienced colearner along with the cohort.