BUILDING LEADERSHIP
in the
CONSCIOUS PRACTICE
of
EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION
Helping educators bring
joy, attention and choice
into learning . . .
In classrooms with or without walls when working with children and adults.
A place for Teachers, Trainers, Educators, Outdoor & Adventure enthusiasts, Community workers, NGOs, Parents
Diploma in Experiential Education & Practice
DEEP14/Module-1 starts 6 July 2024
DEEP is an In-person course run out of Pune, India. The 10 session course happens on the first weekend of every month and has 3 modules. You can join a module and do it in isolation, or do the entire course. To know more about the modules, click on the title.
'Register' if you want updates on other courses (about 3 a year!)
What people are saying . . .
DEEP
Hello! There's many things that I can say about me, but let me let you in on what brought me to DEEP. Im a mother to an 18-year old. A few years ago when I saw him breakdown while facing challenges such as navigating relationships, and with no skills to do so, I decided to dive in to the space to see how I could help. What I found about adolescents and teens astounded me. And to date it still does. Long story short, I had to lay my hands on everything possible that would prepare me for the space. And DEEP was a recommendation from a fellow partner in the space. And my gosh, while you come prepared to learn skills to teach others, it is unnerving and yet so profound to discover that you only teach who you are. So you better get that right. And that's what DEEP does, so so beautifully! It forces you to ask questions! And not easy ones! And before you ask the world a question, you need to address the ones staring you in the face! Ones you didn't know you'd left unanswered for eternity. Above all, it rekindles curiosity! How did we forget that? We were born with it! And it is such a simple yet powerful fix! There's no one thing that DEEP does. And yet the one thing that it does do is uncondition you! How that can be such a start to all things bold and beautiful. It takes courage to sink in, drown, struggle. But what emerges is so completely worth it. And the bonus of it all is doing it in a space that surfaces the power of community, safety, non-judgmental'ness' and fun! Vishwas, will forever remember your silent, non-interferring yet vibrant presence. XOXO
Kaajal Ahuja
Advocate for Teen Mental Health
DEEP10
He is different...Haven't met an educator like him. You can't tell whats happening to you while in the session with him but his subtle talks makes you think about yourself the way you haven't thought before and that makes the difference !!! Before you know , it's already started happening.
I call it AWAKENING.
He skillfully touches your inner places of mind which you didn't know in there. He makes you believe that you are different , every single person is different , and every single person is capable of and made to do things differently. DEEP10 as process gave me tremendous confidence as being unique person and made me believe in myself all over again.
I believe Patience and Power of listening are two qualities he transferred in me. I'll consider myself proud and lucky if I can do at least once of work what he have done :)
Ninad Redij
Exploring Outdoor Ed
DEEP 10
I lived my life believing "there are some things you can only learn in a storm" and enjoyed embracing risk and challenges turning battles into war.
It all changed the day I completed this course. I love to read this quote from Aristotle once a day "knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom".
The day my daughter was born, the first thought that came to my mind is to give her joyful and memorable childhood experiences. I have started searching for a course that would help me achieve it. I found Vishwas's profile and course details online and decided to do this course.
As usual, I thought work and life took precedence over the course.
I thought it is necessary to complete it as my child is growing. She is 2.7 years now. (If you read this paragraph after attending this course, you would enjoy reading it from a different perspective).
The discussions we had over several weeks have initiated my journey for "self-exploration".
First aid kit, Shoelace and conflict management are game-changers for me.
Vishwas, thanks for providing me the bundle in a single course. I loved the way you made me explore and experience it all through the sessions.
Santhi
"what I want to be" and "what I am"- Enjoying self-exploration. In the process of discovering the natural me.
DEEP10
Vishwas showed a picture of a forest fire on the first day and asked what does the picture mean to us. On that day I did not know what to say and now after completing the course, that's exactly what I relate myself to. He lit this fire in me which is burning my old biases and perceptions and a re-birth has happened which has helped me to look at things around me in a new and different way.
My husband enrolled me in the course( i am so eternally grateful that he did) and I went with a certain expectation and from there Vishwas took us on this roller coaster ride to help me look into myself and be a better human.
Now anything and everything that's anyone says around me I end up reflecting on what Vishwas would have said. Earlier the things that went unnoticed and now it's becoming clearer as each day passes.
It's so hard to say that this course is just for experiential educators, personally, I feel this course is for anyone and everyone, helping us to become better and grow.
All in all, thank you, Vishwas. You are an amazing role model with some outstanding patience and for being such open and warm-hearted. Thank you so much for the ELI team, without you folks in the background, this experience would not have been so great. I love you all :)
Naada Nag
Trying to be the best version of myself and inspire others along the way(Outdoor Educator)
ee2Go-3 | DEEP-10
Guruji
You made me go through a lot of inner journeys in last few months. The more I dived, I could realise how little I know about myself. Thanks for igniting the curiosity. Hungry for more, will keep on coming back to you
Now I understand why you kept on repeating “this is a lifetime’s journey”.
I do confess that though I barely think that I have control on any of the skills yet, I’m ready to make a mess out there. Thanks for giving the knowledge & courage to ease out of them gracefully.
For me it is the DEEPEST education till now.
Thanks ELI Team for your untiring & continuous support. God knows where do you find such fantastic graphics 😊
Akhil Saraf
Experiential Educator | Executive Search
DEEP
I signed up for DEEP at a friend's insistence, but I really didn't know what to expect. Right from the first session in April 2021, DEEP has been life-changing for me in many ways. He is not like the rest of the educators you meet. He has his own style and a method that really helps you connect with yourself and those around you. All my life education has traumatize me with the way it is delivered, but DEEP is nothing like those traumatic memories.
I used to be (still am at times) a nervous wreck, but DEEP has helped calm those nerves. The sessions are like chicken soup for the soul. It's brightened my day on so many days. It has also changed the way I parent my child. I'd like to think that this course has changed me in some ways. And this really is just the beginning. Cant wait to see what happens next!
As I look back at all those 12 sessions I've had at DEEP - my mind goes back to the Shoelace story. That was your Sermon on the Mount, Vishwas! That one session pretty much sums up everything the world needs today.
Thank you for everything. Eternally grateful. :)
Jincy Varghese
Still figuring out. But mostly, a dreamer.
Facilitation for Transference
Even after sailing for a decade in the learning space, I have always had questions about the standard practices, Industry expectations and my own approach towards design and facilitation of learning. The course answered so many questions for me! Throughout the course, I was shedding skin like a snake, unlearning so much and soaking in the new from the vastness of Vishawas's wisdom on transfer and learning. I wish the course never ended! My learning in this course was more than what I had gathered in a decade! In the Industry where so many people claim content dumping to be learning, Vishwas makes so much sense as he helps us learn how to make connections between what is taught in the classroom and how to apply that learning in the experiences they have. Blown away, bowing down to this masterful facilitator! Pure Gold!
Surbhi Sharna
All Things Human - Behavioural Facilitative-Trainer, Life & Leadership Coach, Learning Experience Journey Designer, Content Stitcher
DEEP, Facilitation for Transference
After years of dead bore classroom education in school, I joined DEEP when I was still in college and had my first "aah! now I get it" moment when Vishwas was talking about different learning needs and styles.
Since then, I worked in various countries as an Outdoor Educator and kept re-visiting Vishwas's words whenever I was stuck in life or with a group. Amazingly, my biggest difficulty faced with a group got answered when I attended a second course in 2020 way after my first one in 2016.
It is definitely not a coincidence that I learn and feel ready to experiment the same in field every time I'm around him.
To put it simply: he is amazing not because he says a lot of important stuff, but because he actually shows relevance of that 'stuff' in life and never forces it on anybody. What is better than being able to choose your own lesson? :)
Hitaishi
Pursuing Master of Teaching
DEEP, Faciliation Continuiation, EE2go
I have been on this journey with ELI since 2016 and it has profoundly changed my life. No matter how many times i revisit the content with the guidance of Vishwas and the ELI team, there is always something new to learn and there is always a shift - a deeper understanding of this line of work and my self is achieved
It is a beautiful shared journey and i cannot recommend any course with Vishwas enough. What are you waiting for? Sign up now!
Sukriti Gupta
Experiential Education Consultant -
ee2go - 2
The ee2go (- 2 ) course seemed like a wonderful learning opportunity, which came highly recommended by my peers in the Outdoor Education field; but I was nervous and unsure about how effectively I would be able to learn via the online medium.
8 weeks later and I feel the course was pure gold in its rich content, in its deliverance, and its level of online interaction. A big thank you to Vishwas, Chetan, and Madhavi for making this so comfortable on the online medium.
I have so many takeaways from this course and as I'm at the very start of my journey on the path to an educator, I feel that I've built a considerable arsenal of efficient learning tools from this course. Be it whole chapters of content or Vishwas's one-liners in the middle of his ever stimulating dialogues, I found great value across these sessions.
I used to be in a rush to pen down his words before he would move onto something else which would be equally important, but the recordings of the session came to my rescue. I could play it over and over again to comprehend better and thus I could study at my chosen pace if I felt that a topic needed a revisit.
It feels like a valuable concrete addition to my groundwork as an educator. Thank you for this opportunity Vishwas.
Dhruv Vishwasrao
Outdoor Educator in the making
CEEP | DEEP (multiple times)
DEEP is home-coming for me.
As Rumi said, "There is no path, the path is paved by walking".
Not, only did I not have a path, I didn't even have the legs to walk or pave it for me. DEEP did come at this juncture of my life and gave the resources to build my legs and pave the path into Education.
I owe my career in Education to Vishwas and DEEP. The experience influenced me to rethink what Education is and What it can be! Opened up my mind and the world of meaningful education. The beauty of the course and why we keep coming back to it is it evolves, no DEEP is the same:) every year it is different, better and evolving.
Also, what stands out is the "becoming" piece in DEEP. Nobody comes to DEEP and leaves the same! and something about every DEEPer changes DEEPly within. I did, too.
As I always say, "I joined to DEEP to learn Experiential Education but I learnt about myself".
You will, too:)
Heart swelling Gratitude to Vishwas and DEEP
Ashwini Govind
Experiential Educator | Arts Based Therapy Practioner
EE2Go (1)
I have been hearing about Vishwas and his DEEP course for the past few years from so many different resources, yet have never been able to join.
When I heard about EE2Go I thought that's probably the best time to get engaged in something online, not to just brighten the pandemic time and feel more connected to fieldwork, but also a great opportunity to deepen the knowledge.
The course offered some amazing, visual presentations and concepts which not just shifted my perspective in professional life but also brought new insights into personal space.
Along with the content provided live, there were some great readings recommended and forwarded which inspired me to look deeper into it. All sessions were beautifully interconnected.
The course gives me time and space to rethink my role as an educator, facilitator and human being. It helped me realize the importance of living consciously.
I highly recommend to anyone interested to learn something new, to dwell deeper into Experiential Education, to bring a new perspective to work and life.
Monika Piasecka
Facilitator / Educator / Dreamer / Outdoor Enthusiast / Lifelong learner
Ee2Go (July-Sept 2020)
I was introduced to Vishwas through a friend who had done DEEP and was insistent that I must get touched by his way of being. So, although online is just not my forte, as there was no other way out and I was struggling to train teachers online. How can one deliver online and yet let the whole experience be experiential was get challenging for me. So with this agenda, I reluctantly joined Ee2Go.
In the first session itself, I was bowled over by the beautiful Powerpoint presentation (again not my way of delivering). I guess the artist in me connected to the aesthetically done slides and I started paying attention. I found Vishwas very easy going and so relaxed in his demeanour, that it caught my attention too and gave me several clues of how one is as a facilitator.
Session after session, what flowed were numerous theories and models leading to gain a mature thought process, but again what caught my eye was the personal touch. His sharing of his personal stories, asking people to hydrate themselves, and breaking the monotony by several energisers was what kept me sticking initially.
And then there were many things more...The flow theory, the three C's, Reflective practices, Invitational theory and A look at conflict, really made so much sense as it added richness to not only an accumulation of mental processes but also added riches to Life itself.
In the format of Colin Beard, Viswas as a facilitator created a sense of Belonging and led the learner to one's Being. I think it's a huge investment that I have made and am glad and in gratitude for that!
Priti Umamahesvaram Mandi
Educator, teacher trainer, artist
DEEP 9
I have been dawdling on writing this for a while now. That's simply because writing about one or two things from an ocean of ideas feels difficult.
In 2008, I went to see the beautiful Andamans. When I dived in the lovely turquoise coral reef waters, I couldn't see the colours and the beauty of the coral reef. All I saw was muddy murky water and bland corals till the time I donned the snorkeling gear. Through that I could appreciate the colourful fish and the variety of corals. What Vishwas gave me was this snorkeling gear to help me see my life, and what I do as a parent, an educator, a friend or a family member more clearly. The concept was 3Cs or in simple terms what is known as consciousness, awareness, or mindfulness. I am still in that ocean trying to navigate my way through tricky waters, but it helps to understand my being and my actions from time to time.
I came as an educator with years of experience and I thought I knew quite a bit about teaching. DEEP just showed me how little I know. More importantly, it showed me how much role do control, perfectionism, and conditioning play in my life - both personally and professionally.
Signing up for DEEP opened a lot of doors for me - one of them was an invitation to a join a community of educators. This community keeps discussions alive and it has been a source of stimulating ideas and questions which have given me a much needed distraction from dreary and overwhelming work during this lockdown.
I find it fascinating how Vishwas can leave a learner in discomfort, allowing the learner to explore and to figure out things for himself. It is not easy to get answers from him. Whatever you get from him may not please you but there aren't many people who will be able to tell you that. Stay with the frustration and the discomfort long enough and understanding starts seeping in like rays of sun.
And it is not empty philosophy that Vishwas offers, he can flood you with enough research, experience and activities to back up his arguments.
I was looking forward to attending DEEP 10. (He allows ex DEEPers as observers.) DEEP 10 didn't happen because of covid 19 situation but I hope that I will get an opportunity to delve deeper into EE philosophies with Vishwas sometime in future. 🤞✌️
Janhvi A Nanavati
Mom to a dog and a human. And an educator, hopefully :)
ee2go
I joined this course to learn tools/techniques for creating experiences for my students. In just one session, i realized i am here to learn, unlearn much much more. Each session has been a revelation, offering new perspectives, challenging my beliefs, showing me whole new way of looking at education.
What i have learnt in these 10 days is not just limited to education, i see it applicable to life in general. It sure has widened my perspectives.
I am grateful to Vishwas for sharing nuggets of his wisdom so simply with us.
Madhu Maddipatla
Teacher
ee2go
Being from the world of design I had never really thought of doing a course in Experiential Education/ learning. I guess we limit ourselves :)
So when my senior ( @work) introduced me to this course I had my own doubts, but after some research and what I heard from her (about her experience ) I dived right in.
The first session I must say left me a little confused or should I say in 'disequilibrium', not sure why, cause I definitely had an engaging session.
The second and third was loaded with content, and had some post-session assignments too. Some I enjoyed doing some I couldn't devote enough time to. However I realized I had happily started taking notes
(writing some memories that connect, adding an idea that clicked and so on).
The fourth session however was a lot more interactive, with role play and analogies. Somewhere in my mind I started building the web connecting my past experiences, reactions, beliefs and values. Some I questioned while some I was proud I got a term to associate ( I'm not sure I'll remember those terms though). But I've slowly started pausing to think whether a few changes here and there in my actions / reactions will make a difference ?
I think that's what this course does. Makes you think, believe in yourself more, shows us perspectives we thought we knew and helps us learn / unlearn in the process.
It kinda grows on you...and me being just half way through I'm sure there's a lot more to come.
Bindhu Madhu
I'm into Designing for children / Content Design / Innovation in Education and ready to grab more on thw way !