On February 14th, the Mount Madonna School senior class will embark on the 2025 Learning Journey to India as part of their Values in World Thought class. They chose to name their trip “Shunyata.” Shunyata means, “True nature of reality” or “emptiness.”
As part of their trip preparation, the seniors were asked to reflect on the purpose of their upcoming trip and to set intentions and goals. Here are excerpts from some of their writings. – Shannon
Shunyata is a Tibetan word that means “Emptiness.” More precisely, empty from an independent reality. In Buddhism, it is interpreted as the “true nature of reality.” We chose this name because we wanted the theme of the trip to be centered around being in the present, accepting change in perspective, and openness to the unknown. These are all aspects of traveling to a new country, especially one as vibrant and culturally diverse as India. We will be subject to new experiences and pushed out of our comfort zone in many ways.
“For me, this learning journey will be a test of my capability to be open to experiences, as well as a lesson and gift that will teach me things about myself. This is something that I will not take for granted or forget. I am excited for the journey ahead.” – Manumailagi Hunnicutt
“While on this trip, I hope to fully immerse myself in the culture. Everything is going to be different, but that’s what makes it exciting. The food, the places, the people, the clothes, the art, and such a rich history. The preparation for our interviews has been an amazing experience. I have learned so much about the organization CORD. Doing research on Dr. Metre and learning about her passion for doing good has been essential in grasping the intricacies of CORD’s mission and its effects on local communities. I’m particularly impressed by their approach to rural development, which tackles healthcare, disability rights, education, economic opportunities, social justice, and women’s empowerment. I’m eager to hear Dr. Metre’s stories and connect what we’ve learned in class with her real-world experiences.” – Chloe Smith
If we want to go back far enough, I guess you could say that the concepts and ideas that have contributed to my preparation for the trip have been told to me since I could understand words. Keeping an open mind, being present, listening to others, being kind, being prepared, and knowing yourself. That’s one reason why I resonate with “Shunyata.” All the things that have prepared me have been with me since the start. They’ve just been re-interpreted as I’ve grown and have taken on more complex meanings.
“I resonate with the name of our trip because it acknowledges that there is no single existence and that all things are connected and give each other meaning. This is something I hope to solidify in my mind with the added experiences of a new culture. Overall, I want to keep an open mind and try everything that is offered to me.” – Mordecai Coleman
In addition to visiting many sites, such as the Taj Mahal, and interviewing individuals such as Dr. Metre and Lama Chogyal, we will spend time at Sri Ram Ashram, and visit organizations, such as CORD, Aasraa Trust, and CED Society.
For more information about the organizations we will visit please follow these links:
The seniors are raising money to donate to organizations they will be visiting. You can support their efforts by donating directly and/or buying trip merchandise.
To purchase t-shirts and tote bags, please use the Google form linked here.
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