The CbE Principles of Teaching and the Fundamentals of Education

At Maharishi School, all teachers follow a set of professional standards based on the CbE Principles of Teaching. These principles guide teachers in bringing the CbE Fundamentals of Education to life for pupils while delivering their own subjects.

The five Fundamentals of Education are: Receptivity, Intelligence, Knowledge, Experience, and Expression. Together, they form the foundation for effective teaching and deep learning.

Receptivity: The Foundation of Learning

A strong teacher-pupil relationship is built on receptivity. The ideal teacher is fully receptive to the educational needs of the pupil, while the ideal pupil is fully receptive to the knowledge and guidance of the teacher. When both are open to learning from each other, education becomes more engaging, meaningful, and successful.

Intelligence: The Guide to Learning and Action

Intelligence is at the core of every meaningful action and decision. It moves in two directions within consciousness:

  • Outwards – Intelligence flows from within to guide actions and decision-making.
  • Inwards – Intelligence processes new experiences, shaping what we perceive and understand.

When intelligence flows freely in both directions, it constructs knowledge, sharpens perception, and leads to purposeful action. At Maharishi School, we nurture this process to help pupils become confident, capable, and independent thinkers.

Knowledge: More Than Just Facts

Knowledge is not just about what pupils learn, but about how they engage with and apply what they know. It consists of three key elements:

  • The Knower – The pupil, as the owner of knowledge.
  • The Known – The subject or information being learned.
  • The Process of Knowing – How pupils think, explore, and develop understanding.

Teachers play a crucial role in designing learning experiences that inspire curiosity, activate intelligence, and help pupils take ownership of their learning. Through regular Transcendental Meditation (TM) practice, pupils develop a heightened awareness that strengthens all three elements of knowledge, enabling them to engage more deeply and see learning as an interconnected whole.

This reflects our school motto: “Knowledge is structured in consciousness.”

Experience: The Bridge Between Knowledge and Life

Experience shapes understanding. The quality of a pupil’s experiences influences how they learn, act, and respond to the world. At Maharishi School, we encourage pupils to explore four interconnected worlds of experience:

  1. The Physical World – Interacting with the environment through movement, activity, and practical learning.
  2. The Mental World – Developing thoughts, emotions, and cognitive skills.
  3. The Social & Cultural World – Understanding relationships, values, and human connections.
  4. The Transcendental World – Experiencing Restful Alertness through Transcendental Meditation, which unlocks creativity, balance, and self-awareness.

By integrating experiences from all four worlds, pupils develop a complete and well-rounded understanding of life.

Expression: Turning Learning Into Action

Education is about more than just absorbing knowledge—it’s about expressing it. Expression allows pupils to bring their creativity, intelligence, and personal insights to life.

  • Expression fuels creativity.
  • Creativity needs intelligent direction to be meaningful.
  • Meaningful expression completes the learning process.

At Maharishi School, pupils are encouraged to express themselves in many ways—through speech, writing, art, music, movement, and problem-solving. When pupils develop confidence in their ability to express ideas intelligently and creatively, they gain the skills needed to succeed in the real world.

Education That Develops the Whole Person

By focusing on Receptivity, Intelligence, Knowledge, Experience, and Expression, the CbE Principles of Teaching create an education that is both deeply personal and highly effective. Pupils at Maharishi School don’t just gain knowledge—they develop the ability to think, reflect, and apply what they’ve learned to every aspect of their lives.

This approach ensures that pupils leave school not just well-educated, but well-prepared for success, happiness, and fulfilment in whatever path they choose.