This curriculum is based on an understanding of the mind and the human experience and can be explained through three universal principles: Mind,Thought and Consciousness. First articulated by Sydney Banks, these principles have been taught throughout the world to relieve human suffering and cultivate human potential in the fields of community mental health, education, social services, corporate training, consulting, psychiatry, and drug and alcohol treatment systems.

The 3 Principles, as defined by Sydney Banks, and how this curriculum references them:

“The Universal Mind, or the impersonal mind, is constant and unchangeable. The personal mind is in a perpetual state of change. All humans have the inner ability to synchronize their personal mind with their impersonal mind to bring harmony into their lives.”

Throughout this curriculum, Mind is identified as the source behind all things in life: everything seen, felt and experienced. Through Mind, everyone has access to an innate wisdom. This is our SPARK inside that guides us naturally. This SPARK may also be called intuition, instinct or common sense.

“Thought is the creative agent we use to direct us through life. Thought is the master key that opens the world of reality to all living creatures. Thought is not reality; yet it is through Thought that our realities are created.”

Throughout this curriculum, thought is identified as the power to evaluate, imagine and remember. Unlike many teachings surrounding thought, the focus is not on positive or negative thinking. Instead, the focus remains on the fact that as human beings we were created with the free will to create our reality through our thinking.

“Consciousness is the gift of awareness. Consciousness allows the recognition of form, form being the expression of Thought. Mental health lies within the consciousness of all human beings, but it is shrouded and held prisoner by our own erroneous thoughts. This is why we must look past our contaminated thoughts to find the purity and wisdom that lies inside our own consciousness.”

Throughout this curriculum, consciousness is identified as the awareness and experience of life around us, our personal life, personal thoughts and our access to our SPARK inside.

This curriculum is specifically designed for youth, ages 12-22. Each lesson takes a deep look at how the human experience works and how we can use this knowledge to cultivate human and creative potential within all lives. Throughout this curriculum, facilitators and participants, alike, will be guided toward their inner brilliance in order to maximize their personal potential, giving them the Optimism and Confidence to Achieve Amazing Things!