Support Creative Lives' Pioneering Whole-Child Approach

Creative Lives Inc. shares a revolutionary framework for education that draws on recent discoveries about the human energy (chakra) system and its fundamental role in development.

"If I could wave a magic wand, I would place this framework in the hands of every parent and teacher around the globe. It's that important." -Liz Wiley, Executive Director of The Marion Institute

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Greetings! My name is Maureen Burford. I am the Founder and Executive Director of Creative Lives Inc., a nonprofit organization devoted to helping children thrive and reach their unique potential. I looked outside the box for new solutions to pressing concerns for youth, who are in a crisis of mind, body, and spirit.

I found what I believe to be a missing piece in our collective work on behalf of the young. The positive outcomes for children and adults have been astonishing as we integrate new understandings about this mechanism we all have but little understand: the chakra system.

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The Missing Piece

Creative Lives trains adults in A Framework for Wise Education by educator Ellen Tadd. The premise of this approach is simple but profound: honing good function across the seven main chakras supports optimal learning and development for every individual.

While this is a bold statement, Tadd's premise bears out in our experience with thousands of young people and the adults who teach and guide them.

"After learning about the chakra system, and the seven Framework categories based on them, my question is why we would use any other approach?" - Sean Dubois, early educator

Why would an approach based on the chakras be relevant today? Tadd has explored the very practical side of the chakra system. Over decades of study, she found that each of the seven main energy centers deals with specific attributes of our essential nature or spiritual core. These include our innate capacities for wisdom, caring, sense of connection, and discipline. Conversely, poor function in specific chakras directly corresponds to serious challenges such as depression, anxiety, and even cruelty.

Our Training

In our online training programs, educators and parents learn concrete, practical tools and strategies anyone can implement to support every child's potential and purpose.

"Without teaching my students anything about chakras, or becoming a therapist in my classroom, I have used Framework strategies to improve significantly how my students focus, relate, and develop their unique gifts. I still work hard, but now, I work smart."

-Middle School Educator Elise Troy

The Framework helps children and adults connect with and express their most essential nature, or spirit experience a corresponding sense of purpose.

Here are some of the topics we cover in a our workshops and classes:

1. The keys to inner happiness and enthusiasm to learn

2. The mechanics of focus and wise decision making

3. The roots of abiding self-esteem

4. What it really means to want the best for ourselves and others

5. Transforming anxiety into empathy and emotional well-being

6. The balance of our directive and receptive selves

7. Confidence with others and relationship skills

8. Disciplines that give legs to full potential

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New Science

Research on whole child learning affirms our own findings in the field.

"...Research shows that natural spirituality, if supported in childhood, prepares the adolescent for critical developmental tasks of that age. If supported in adolescence, natural spirituaity deepens and can become a significant resource for health and healing through adult life." -Miller, L. (2015). The Spiritual Child. New York. Picador. p 28.

Miller defines "natural spirituality" as an inspired and personal sense of connection with something larger than oneself, which individuals may experience as God, spirit, higher power, oneness, or nature. In the chakra system, the crown chakra is the center that most deals with this experience of connection.

The brain responds to these experiences by a thickening in the outer cortices, which has been shown to be the single most preventative thing against depression and suicide, more effective than medication.

Importantly, 95% of learners in our programs report an increase in their ability to access joy and inspiration in their work with children through strengthening their crown chakra. As one learner shared:

"In this course, I have become a better version of myself -- and far more able to help my children do the same."

--C. Nolan, parent

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Become a Supporter

This year, we have trained people in the Framework of Wise Education in seven States, with 65% receiving financial assistance.

With plans to expand our reach through new self-paced trainings in 2025, we need your help bring this approach to child development and learning to the world.

Your generosity will allow us to continue offering tuition assistance to our learners and keep the cost of our training manageable for teachers and hardworking parents.

Remember, when you donate, you are not only supporting the learning and well-being of children, but also the adults who teach and guide them.

Make your tax-deductible donation today and help us train those who are educating and raising today's youth.

Thank you from all of us at Creative Lives!

Maureen Burford, Executive Director

Creative Lives

Children around the world are struggling.

Join us this Giving Tuesday and be part of the solution.