The term matrix is derived from the Latin word mater, meaning mother or womb.
In essence, a matrix is the environment or condition in which something undergoes
development. It serves as a space for the growth of living beings, including teachers,
children, management, plants, and habitat. The matrix plays a crucial role in
fostering the development of consciousness. Learning and education take place
within this matrix, primarily through experiential means. Learning is a comprehensive
process involving the internalization of what we perceive—seeing, feeling, and
hearing—in other words, the assimilation of information to respond to life conditions
in a fulfilling and creative manner. Learning encompasses emotional, physical,
intellectual, and, fundamentally, spiritual dimensions. It is an integrative process
where the learner experiences the harmonization of their emotional, physical,
intellectual, and spiritual aspects. Therefore, the matrix needs to facilitate the
physical, emotional, and intellectual development of an individual. This perspective is
referred to as an Integral learning matrix, emphasizing wholeness and unity rather than fragmentation or division.
The matrix extends beyond just the children in a school; it encompasses the learning
community of teachers, parents, and children collectively. A learning community
includes everything that finds a place within this matrix. At the school level, the
matrix is fundamentally the consciousness, the underlying foundation of life. It is the
force that binds life together, evolving over millions of years from protozoa to the
present human species and further evolving towards what Sri Aurobindo envisions
as a Superman—a being with enhanced mental and physical capacities, capable of
transcending current human limitations.
This Superman is not envisioned with physical wings or advanced technology but
possesses heightened mental and physical capabilities. It goes beyond mere
perception to enter realms foreign to the current human species—realms of a higher
and intuitive mind, where direct access to true knowledge exists. Despite having a
wealth of knowledge readily available, the world finds itself at a tipping point, facing
an existential danger, which is indicative of an evolutionary crisis.
This crisis, upon reflection, is traced back to the school system and the prevailing
understanding and thinking paradigm about education. The conventional approach,
focused on stuffing the child's mind, coupled with inadequate policies, has led to a
dire situation. To address this, there's a need for a new matrix, a fresh birth that
allows the human soul to take center stage. This matrix envisions a space where the
mind can develop to its highest potential, the physical body becomes more flexible
and robust, emotions express genuine beauty, knowledge is complete, reason is
sound, and actions are impactful.
To build this matrix within existing structures, old systems must give way to the new.
Physical space must be created for authentic learning, with a shift from concrete
walls to spaces allowing natural elements. Aesthetically appealing schools, where
beauty, order, and perfection are integral to the culture, are essential. The
classroom, as part of the matrix, should not merely accommodate children but
empower them to engage in activities they love, fostering an environment of order
and space. Embracing technology where needed, the systems should be simple,
clear, futuristic, progressive, and transparent. The comprehensive elements of the
matrix are detailed in the diagram below.