Nelunika Gunawardena Rajapakse is a proud citizen of her world. Mentored all along by her resolutely dedicated Montessori pedagogue mother—a member of the original circle of Dr. Maria Montessori in 1943—and having worked in partnership with her for three decades, Nelunika is a proud beneficiary of her own experientially founded, intellectual legacy. She boasts a rich history of authentic Montessori in practice for over four decades, having been the head directress, and chief operating officer of the much admired Bainbridge~Solon Montessori School (1970-2012) that served scores of children and parents in Ohio, USA.

The author, above all things, cherishes her morally grounded 'lived and learned' upbringing under the nurturing guidance of her parents. Nelunika's life idols, needless to say, are her parents—Dionicious and Mildred Gunawardana—who epitomized, through every breath of their existence, the compassionate values that remain central and universal to the great scheme called 'existence.' In observation of this view, all things, indeed, possess intrinsic substance; they call for equal value and respect—shunning egocentric norms, labels, and attitudes.

Nelunika, in turn, reflects on living a spiritually poised life through every breath of her own existence. She realizes that improvement and enrichment in sustaining values 'as a help to life'—to all that compose life—requires patience and mindful effort, hand in hand. Hence, maintaining a selfless cultivated awareness is crucial to life's overall success. The aspiration to guide others in the direction of true peace and eternal joy, thus, is Nelunika's life wish.

Presently, she lives her renewed and pioneering vision along her steadfast mission to 'Raise the Position of Today's Child and the World' while sharing her 'Vision for Intellectual Wellness for all Ages'. As such, she disseminates her wisdom and expertise through the creation of invaluable time-stamps of her life-experience.

In this day and age of confused human values and ideals, Nelunika stands passionately upon her convictions—to improve the human condition by way of books, videos, blogs, and dedicated websites.

Additionally, Nelunika is a devoted professional trainer, and a mentor for parents, engaged in sharing her expertise by way of lectures, seminars, consultations, and continuous guidance to organizations, schools, individuals, and diverse social groups.

Nelunika's cherished offerings may also be found in the form of inspirational e-books geared to all ages.

Please visit her duly dedicated website at: http://www.shop.greetingsofdharma.com in addition to amazon.com/author/nelunikarajapakse

Testimonial

Parenting as 'a Help to Life' draws on Nelunika's deeply considered experience as a mentor to generations of parents and children. To write about her is to write about dedication: to her principles, to her family and to all those who cross her path. Her vision for learning is the very essence of life itself. Her devotion is a journey of love, a mission to help others, and a life of true spirituality under an ever-expanding horizon of knowledge.

This book explores the importance of nurturing certain essential qualities in children: a sense of respect for others, for life, and the environment, a sense of independence and self-confidence to live fully and usefully, and the cultivated ability to make conscious and wise decisions, while standing behind them. These - being fruits of Nelunika's spiritual vision - are sturdy props for our children in a world filled with challenges.

Whether or not you share this LOVE, you cannot help but be refreshed by it, intrigued by it, and sometimes engulfed by it. Such has been my experience as her colleague of many years. Her words in this book are a faithful reflection of her life's work, and I am delighted to see them spread beyond boundaries to reach out to thoughtful parents around the world.

- Sawssan Khoury