Member Spotlight: Vishwas
Date postedJuly 10, 2024
Meet Vishwas Parchure!
Vishwas grew up mostly in a boarding school environment from age 6 to 16 and now lives in Pune, India. At the Experiential Leadership Institute, Vishwas's "title" can be summed up by, "whatever catches my fancy! I find I spend most of my time teaching some aspect of EE." Tell us a bit about what you do at your organization.
My organisation has a floating membership. They are around as long as they have something to learn, and then they go away. Most keep returning to have more fun! So there are always a few members keeping the spirit of inquiry and curiosity alive!
Most of my energy and time is spent in thinking about how this field of EE can be simplified for people to learn and apply it better. So i read, and when something catches my eye, i try to simplify it so i can understand it better. These pieces could include lines from podcasts, books on education, fiction, biographies; almost anything. My current fancy is a book on Bruce Lee's philosophy that i find a wonderful guide to facilitation practices - Be Water, My friend.
Most of my energy and time is spent in thinking about how this field of EE can be simplified for people to learn and apply it better. So i read, and when something catches my eye, i try to simplify it so i can understand it better. These pieces could include lines from podcasts, books on education, fiction, biographies; almost anything. My current fancy is a book on Bruce Lee's philosophy that i find a wonderful guide to facilitation practices - Be Water, My friend.
Tell us more about yourself!
I spent the first 35 years of my life wandering. Boarding school from the age of 6, so i never really knew what 'family' meant till i had my own. Even that has a lot of confused elements! My father had said he would fund my education as long as i wanted to study. After that i would be on my own. Graduating from college was a struggle! Just made it! Started working when i was barely 21 (thats too young in my cultural context).
Worked in sales and marketing for the first 9 years. When i felt completely disillusioned by money, fame, status and comfort, i retired to teaching at a boarding school. Life has never been the same! That was 40 years ago, and i continue to take and give energy to this learning process.
Worked in sales and marketing for the first 9 years. When i felt completely disillusioned by money, fame, status and comfort, i retired to teaching at a boarding school. Life has never been the same! That was 40 years ago, and i continue to take and give energy to this learning process.
What excites you when you think about the future of Experiential Education?
I just see a lot of resistance to any methodology that does not have Control as a major aspect of the process. That implies every gathering of people - institutions, organisations, society itself - needs to have somebody at the helm who dictates and controls.
At the heart of EE is this idea of 'Choice'. It means very different things in different cultures. I think as long as there is someone wanting to Control, there will be resistance. To allow for choice means many more centuries of experimenting with what it means, and what shapes it could take. While that means resistance from the system, it also means immense opportunity! May the battle continue!
At the heart of EE is this idea of 'Choice'. It means very different things in different cultures. I think as long as there is someone wanting to Control, there will be resistance. To allow for choice means many more centuries of experimenting with what it means, and what shapes it could take. While that means resistance from the system, it also means immense opportunity! May the battle continue!
Who or what inspires you?
Too many names and faces to list here. Yet i think what really inspires me is not people, but what they say, what they do, and who they choose to BE. So i listen and watch for things so that i can kick my own ass into either submission (showing me how my thinking is old and over!), or action (to bring the spirit of what i see/hear into my own life).
This could come from people, books, podcasts, movies . . I just love that i get at least 1 thing to think about every day!
This could come from people, books, podcasts, movies . . I just love that i get at least 1 thing to think about every day!
In your free time, we can probably find you:
Soloing on a motorcycle ride, or napping (love those!)
How long have you been involved with AEE?
Conference of 1999, Rochester. Desire to learn more. I had just discovered a copy of JEE, and i went nuts over it. Applied for a Scholarship, and AEE gave me full waiver. Every place i went to that was connected to AEE - people were so kind! Individuals opened their homes for me to stay, shadow their work and learn! Sam Tower, John Guarrine, Laurie Frank, Michael Terrien, Craig Dobkin, Project Adventure . . The list is long, my heart is full of gratitude.
I have been to 6 International conferences, and 2-3 regional ones since. Done workshops.
And yessss! Took back Play for Peace to India in 1999, which has now reached many millions in India alone!
I have been to 6 International conferences, and 2-3 regional ones since. Done workshops.
And yessss! Took back Play for Peace to India in 1999, which has now reached many millions in India alone!
What is the most rewarding part about being a Member of AEE?
Access to the JEE - such variety! I dont understand half of it, but it certainly shows me what possibility exists!
Any specific moments at AEE that have impacted you?
1999. I had just flown in from India to NY. I was tired, jet-lagged, and the conference was starting in the morning. Excited, shy, guarded, open - all at the same time. After attending as many workshops as i could, by the evening i was gone! Exhausted.
Walking out of the centre, with the intention of hitting the sack, i noticed much laughter and noise coming out of a room ahead. I stopped at the door - curious, tentative. I saw about 50 full-grown adults moving, singing, dancing, laughing! It didnt seem odd, because i guess they were in some kind of rhythm together!. It certainly brought an awkward smile to my face.
Laurie Frank noticed me, and said "come on in!" An invitation i could not refuse - it was so simple, short and powerful! My first encounter with Play for Peace.
At the end of an hour of play, i couldn't resist asking Laurie and Michael Terrienn - "Can i take this thing back to India?". I expected other answers. Documentation, agreements, signatures . . .money? All they said was "Sure! Take it where ever you go!". The rest is history.
I think i have taken it everywhere i have gone, and given it to whoever wanted to carry on the spirit of it.
Walking out of the centre, with the intention of hitting the sack, i noticed much laughter and noise coming out of a room ahead. I stopped at the door - curious, tentative. I saw about 50 full-grown adults moving, singing, dancing, laughing! It didnt seem odd, because i guess they were in some kind of rhythm together!. It certainly brought an awkward smile to my face.
Laurie Frank noticed me, and said "come on in!" An invitation i could not refuse - it was so simple, short and powerful! My first encounter with Play for Peace.
At the end of an hour of play, i couldn't resist asking Laurie and Michael Terrienn - "Can i take this thing back to India?". I expected other answers. Documentation, agreements, signatures . . .money? All they said was "Sure! Take it where ever you go!". The rest is history.
I think i have taken it everywhere i have gone, and given it to whoever wanted to carry on the spirit of it.
Contact Vishwas here: +91 9096000121. challops@gmail.com.
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