Where Passion Meets Education - Amardeep Singh

Amardeep Singh by Sandeep Dutt

Where Passion Meets Education

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Passion, purpose, and what is work?
Work, eat, sleep, recharge, and get to work again! The world is all about consumption; for Amardeep, Passion must work like the sea waves—ebb and tide. He shares what Passion means for him, his life, and his work, leaving a poignant message for young people. Amardeep is a harbinger of ‘Oneness’ and shares Guru Nanak’s life and work. He moved from being a banker to an avid traveller, tracing the footsteps of Guru Nanak.

We must go beyond the life of building bank balances to find fulfilment in life, what Passion means to us, and any activity that resonates within oneself and acts as a catalyst for developing one’s mind to achieve what your heart wishes. We pursue things close to us, do not mindlessly follow emotions, take activities, and yes, you are uncontrollable beyond reasoning. Overcome barriers, and when you pursue a passion, you will unfurl your life's purpose.

Where Passion Meets Education (WPME), the host, Sandeep Dutt, converses with passionate educators only once a month.

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Reflection of the week - Sunday 14th July 2024

Agochar (Seeing the Unseen): At the confluence of the seen and unseen waters, Guru Nanak, the discerning motivator, inspires to connect with the invisible flow within. "Allegory - A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels", a 24-episode docuseries, sequentially explores Guru Nanak's life events to unfurl the deep imports of his messages. This docuseries is filmed at over 150 multifaith sites in 9 countries. 

Notes courtesy Otter AI:
The conversation delved into Guru Nanak's life, teachings, and impact, exploring his philosophy and how it has been interpreted and accepted by different faith groups. Speakers also discussed Guru Nanak's spiritual journey, including his visit to Nizamabad and Allahabad and the significance of the Gagra River. Additionally, they shared insights on the path to spiritual growth and self-discovery, emphasizing the importance of being a learner at every moment.

Bhagat Kabir's philosophy of questioning societal norms can be applied to modern issues in several ways:

1. Challenge rigid thinking: Like Kabir challenged superstitions, we can question outdated beliefs and practices that no longer serve society.

2. Promote inclusivity: Kabir's message transcended caste and religious boundaries. We can apply this to fight discrimination and promote equality.

3. Simplify life: Kabir advocated for simple living. In modern society, we can question consumerism and materialism.

4. Seek inner wisdom: Kabir emphasized looking within for truth. We can encourage critical thinking and self-reflection instead of blindly following societal expectations.

5. Use creative expression: Kabir's poetic style made complex ideas accessible. We can creatively use art, music, and literature to address social issues.

6. Embrace diversity: Kabir's teachings were adopted by various communities. We can celebrate diversity and promote cultural understanding.

7. Question authority: Kabir challenged religious orthodoxy. We can encourage questioning of power structures and promote accountability.

8. Focus on essence over form: Kabir emphasized spirituality over rituals. We can prioritize core values and principles over superficial practices in various aspects of life.

By applying these principles, we can address modern issues like social inequality, environmental concerns, and political polarization with a fresh, critical perspective.

Some key takeaways from Guru Nanak's teachings about achieving spiritual growth include:

• Focus on inner transformation: Guru Nanak emphasised orienting oneself internally rather than relying on external rituals or formalities.
• Practice equipoise: Tranquility can be achieved by maintaining a balanced mind in all situations.
• Overcome inner obstacles: Guru Nanak taught that shackles of lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego are barriers to attaining peace of mind and experiencing bliss.
• Live simply: Guru Nanak emphasized the importance of simple living and evolving through proper actions.
• Cultivate noble intentions: Our intentions shape our destiny, with noble intentions leading to peace and lowly intentions to distress.
• Seek experiential wisdom: Guru Nanak valued direct spiritual experience over blind adherence to religious customs or self-affliction.
• Recognize the divine within: He taught that God is within us, and we should look inward to connect with the divine.
• Embrace oneness: Guru Nanak promoted the unity and oneness of all creation, transcending religious and social boundaries.
• Be a lifelong learner: He encouraged maintaining a mindset of continuous learning and growth throughout life.
• Practice remembrance: Regular meditation and remembrance of the divine facilitates the union of the mind with consciousness.
• In the second part of the session, we touched upon trees' remarkable intelligence and adaptability, highlighting their unique sensory perception and ability to respond to changing seasons.

- From Guru Nanak Docuseries- 

1. What was your takeaway from the session today? 

2. What did you learn from the episode, and does it relate to you in any way?

3. Rules and norms

4. Kabir and Guru Nanak. Are there any dohas that are close to your heart?

5. Rationality and common sense in the society

6. Where is this oneness lost today? 

-From Hidden Life Of Trees-     

1. Why do we read about trees in the first place?   

2. Did the story connect with you today, and why?     

3. What learnings can we take away from the story today?   

4. Which part is known as the brain of the tree?

5. How do forests grow and connect with external factors?

 These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections! You can email your reflections to - nk@learningforward.org.in. For any assistance, please feel to WhatsApp or Telegram us at +919811133900 (no phone calls)

Action Item

1. Schedule the next screening date in August. Rishona will follow up with Amardeep.
2. Participants should research Kabir's teachings, especially his Dohas.
3. Read the assigned chapter from "The Hidden Life of Trees" and discuss.
4. Publish a blog post reflecting on the discussion points from the episode.
5. Share the reflection blog post on various online platforms once published.

Reflection of the week - Sunday 16th June 2020

-From Jataka Tales-      

1. Why do we read about the Jataka Tales?     

2. Did the story connect with you today, and why?      

3. What learnings can we take away from the story "The Pigeon and the Crow"    

4. The POP movement   

5. What does a guildmaster mean?   

6. Greed and its adverse effects   

7. Would you rather be the crow or the pigeon in your life?  

 - From The Guru Nanak Docuseries-      

1. What did you learn from the chapter today?      

2. Time is just a dimension    

3. The Present is what matters   

4. Why do you think the chapter is named "Paheli"?  

5. The blessing of life  

6. Righteousness of the human mind is what really matters and makes the difference. 

7. Wisdom, Ignorance and Devotion   

8. What is religion and its true meaning 

The Good Schools India Journal: https://www.gsi.in/   

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!      

You can email your reflections to - nk@learningforward.org.in

Episode 6 Docuseries from TheGuruNanak.Com, concluded with a beautiful poem:

क्या फ़र्क पड़ता है इससे, अयोध्या में पद की जगह कोई शब्द गाये।

दूर ननकाना साहिब में मतवाला जपुजी छोड़कर कव्वाली ले करके आये।

फ़र्क तो इस बात से भी नहीं पड़ता, हम बाला और मरदाना से पूछ सकते हैं।

नानक के वचनों पर गुल उकेरने वाले, उन दोनों के हाथों में एक तारा था,

अक्सर सुर छेड़ते समय, खुसरो और कबीर के घर क्यों घूम आते हैं?

फ़र्क तो आज यह भी नहीं पड़ता, बात-बात में रदीफ़-काफ़िया मिलाने वाले,

हर चीज़ में फ़र्क को पहचानने वाले, शायद ही कभी झगड़े हो इसके लिये,

राम की पहुँच डागरों की हवेली और ख़ान साहिब की बंदिशों तक क्यों है?

और क्यों बैजू से लेकर, आज तक, बावरी होने वाली कला की नवीनतम पीढ़ी भी,

आगे बढ़कर सबसे पहले, रहीम और रसख़ान से दोस्ती करती है।

English rendition

How does it matter if, in Ayodhya, one sings ‘Padh’ (poetry) or ‘Shabad’ (verse)?

In distant Nankana, an elated being, instead of ‘Japji’ (Guru Nanak’s verse) sings ‘Qawwali’ (Sufi rendition).

It does not matter if we can ask from Bala and Mardana, the ones who pick flowers from the words of Nanak, with a one-stringed instrument in their hands.

Often while striking a note, they even visit the homes of Khusrau and Kabir.

It does not even matter that today, in every conversation, if people add poetry for unity.

Those who find differences in everything maybe they never put an effort to fight for unity. 

Why is it that the reach of Divinity is confined to the mansions and verses of noble beings?

And why, from past to present, the new generation of the elated artistic beings take the first step forward, to make friendship with the compassionate and nectar-filled ones.

Thank you, Amardeep Singh of Lost Heritage Productions, for being our Mentor at My Good School.

Allegory - A Tapestry of Guru Nanak’s Travels

Guru Nanak, an embodiment of Oneness, is a revolutionary spiritual teacher. Born in 1469, he traversed vast geographies for over two decades to visit congregational sites of diverse faiths with a noble interest in seeking and imparting universal fellowship.

“Allegory - A Tapestry of Guru Nanak’s Travels”, a 24-episode docuseries, sequentially explores Guru Nanak’s life events to unfurl the deep imports of his messages.

Filmed at over 150 multifaith sites in 9 countries, the docuseries is available in English, Punjabi (Gurmukhi), Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi (Shahmukhi).

Opening on Sunday, the 7th of January 2024, we will screen one documentary every fortnight at My Good School. Join us as a student/teacher of a GSA Members School or even as an individual. You can sign up from www.SchoolEducation.com.

The Lost Heritage - Amardeep Singh

Learning Forward with Amardeep Singh is the co-founder of Lost Heritage Productions and the Oneness In Diversity Research Foundation.

‘Lost Heritage Productions’ is a Singapore-based visual media production house led by a Singapore-based couple, Amardeep Singh and Vininder Kaur. It is focused on research and documentation of forgotten legacies.

Born in Gorakhpur, Amardeep Singh attended The Doon School. He studied Electronics Engineering at the Manipal Institute of Technology and Masters in Business Administration at the University of Chicago, USA. He now lives in Singapore. Having worked in the Financial Services sector for 25 years, he has led the Asia Pacific Region at American Express for Revenue Management of the Credit Card business.

Since 2014, he has dedicated himself to visual ethnographic research. He has authored two books, ‘Lost Heritage, The Sikh Legacy in Pakistan’ and ‘The Quest Continues: Lost Heritage, The Sikh Legacy in Pakistan’. He has also made a few documentary films on the remnants of the Sikh legacy remnants in Pakistan.

Amardeep has led a cross-border team to create a 24-episode docuseries, “Allegory, A Tapestry of Guru Nanak’s Travels, " available on www.TheGuruNanak.com.

Guru Nanak glided across distant lands for over two decades on a selfless pursuit. He engaged in philosophical and social dialogue to relate with people of diverse cultures and belief systems. Through words and music, he gracefully imparted experiential insights, fearlessly challenged the binary constructs of society, and relentlessly opposed gender, religious, racial and class inequalities.

The work put forth by Mr Amardeep and his team is truly inspirational. Guided by Guru Nanak’s philosophy and inspired by historical texts, “Allegory, A Tapestry of Guru Nanak’s Travels", a 24-episode docuseries, sequentially presents the life events of Guru Nanak.

Tune into this beautiful conversation where Anvesha is conversing with our guest, Mr. Amardeep Singh. Listen to this meaningful and engaging discussion where Mr Amardeep explains the purpose behind his endeavours, dwells upon the beauty of taking up such journeys and contemplates the effect of this magic upon the followers of Guru Nanak. Trace along with us as we travel the same path, turning the stones unturned.

Thank you, Anvesha and Saikiran from Gyanshree School at Noida, India.