Shinrin Yoku - Rishona Chopra

Shinrin Yoku is the Japanese art of forest bathing. To simply be in the forest, to take its many gifts and allow it to suffuse us with its healing properties, is - Shinrin Yoku.

This reminds us of our timeless connections to the natural world and the vital importance of rediscovering those ties through touch, smell and mindful presence in the here and now. 

Being with nature awakens a new self in us.  

Nothing in nature is perfect; the trees are not shaped up, and the flowers wither, but either way, nature is beautiful just the way it is. Spirit is finely interconnected. When it rains, the flowers blossoms; when the wind comes, the trees sway to the wind's beat, and when it's a storm, the trees are sad and break down. These little lessons that we learn from nature help us a lot.

Let aside the lessons, being with nature, in a forest, hearing the birds chirping gives such a wonderful feeling.

This is also why most spiritual leaders like Buddha sit under a tree because it helps calm their minds.

Rishona Chopra 
Grade VI 
Gyanshree School

Haiku - Rishona Chopra

A haiku is a Japanese poem with 3 lines of 5 syllables, then 7 syllables and then 5.

Some famous haikus are as such - 

Birds singing their song,
Wind caressing passers by,
Clouds wander the sky!
- Alma

Tree branch sways slowly,
As a child, sing a sweet song,
Gracefully it goes.
- Donna Brock

Here is a haiku made by me:

Stop worrying, friends,
Good things are coming our way,
Have fun and relax!

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

We Were Only Playing - Rishona Chopra

Playing is probably the best thing about childhood. I love playing, going out in the sun and running and having lots of fun; that is childhood. Here's a thing about playing - you don't need toys to play with. All you need is a friend, and that friend can be you.   

Making games to play with yourself is the art of playing. When I am bored, I make some slime and squish it with some chemicals and do experiments or while studying, I act as if I am a teacher and teach all concepts to imaginary children and sometimes to my parents too! 

Totto-chan had a pet. A pet comes with a lot of responsibility, but you always have a partner to share your feelings with. I sometimes wish I had a quiet puppy, but I am not ready to take the responsibility, and I think that if we keep a pet, we shouldn't keep it in a cage and bring it with its sibling or mother, so we don't separate the pet from their family.

The innocence of a child is all about their selfless compassion - In Japan, they call it - Omoiyari, a section of Ikigai. In the chapter, even though Totto-chan was bitten by Rocky, she cared even more and ensured he wouldn't be scolded.

Selfless compassion was mastered by Totto-chan at such a young age. But as we grow, we often start to think more about ourselves and not about others, but I bet when Totto-chan grows up, she will have mastered Omoiyari!

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Omoiyari - Rishona Chopra

Omoiyari is the Japanese art of compassion. It is a form of selfless empathy and compassion. It is when you put yourself in their shoes. Japan uses Omoiyari as in their country; care, consideration, and kindness underpin all aspects of daily life in Japan.

The most important part is that they don't force anyone to do it it is simply their lifestyle. It is just about making others happy and comfortable, and as they say, "Make Others Happy, and you will be happy too"!

"Know the pain of others by pinching yourself."

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School