Reflection Sunday 17th November 2024

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Sunday School No. 163

Guru Nanak Docuseries-

1. What was your takeaway from the session today? 

2. What were the key points in the episode? 

3. Wisdom, Right Knowledge, and Intellect- How can you connect with these?

- From Hidden Life Of Animals -
1. Did the story connect with you today, and why?
2. Find out about-
a. biological automatons
b. Leipzig and what it is famous for?
c. magnetic resonance imaging
3. What is instinct according to you?
4. How can we compare animal emotions with human emotions?
5. How are humans different from animals?

Key Takeaways

• The documentary series on Guru Nanak's travels highlights the interconnectedness of different philosophies and cultures across India.
• Recent school visits, especially to Doon School, provided valuable learning experiences for students and teachers from rural areas.
• There's an emphasis on regular reflections and sharing of learnings among the community members.
• The group uses various WhatsApp groups and online platforms to facilitate communication and learning.

Guru Nanak Documentary Discussion

• Explored Guru Nanak's travels through Assam, Nagaland, Bangladesh, and West Bengal.
• Highlighted similarities between Guru Nanak's philosophy and local traditions in these regions.
• Discussed the concept of oneness and the universality of emotions across species.

Recent The Doon School Visit

• Students from Arthur Foot Academy visited Doon School, marking their first trip to an urban area.
• The visit highlighted the disparity in exposure between rural and urban students.
• Emphasized the importance of such experiences in broadening students' perspectives.

Reflection Practices

• Encouraged regular reflections from all participants, including teachers and students.
• Discussed various platforms for sharing reflections, including WhatsApp groups and online diaries.
• Stressed the importance of consistent engagement and sharing of thoughts.

Community Structure and Communication

• Explained the purpose and use of different WhatsApp groups:
• My Good School: For general discussions and reflections
• Teachers Academy: For teacher-specific content
• Impact Team: For assessment and evaluation
• Joy of Giving: Focused on Arthur Foot Academy project

Book Discussion

• Reviewed chapters from a book discussing animal emotions and instincts.
• Drew parallels between animal and human behaviors, emphasizing the universality of emotions.

Next Steps

• Participants to send reflections on recent experiences, including the Doon School visit.
• Continue regular engagement in various WhatsApp groups and online platforms.
• Implement learnings from recent experiences in respective educational settings.
• Improve the technical setup for future online meetings based on today's experience with new equipment.

Action Items

• Create reflection piece with probing questions from The Doon School visit. Add to Joy of Learning Diaries. 
• Write/send reflection on The Doon School visit to Manisha. Post in My Good School WhatsApp grp. 
• Write/send reflection on Doon School visit to Manisha. Post in My Good School WhatsApp grp. 
• Post announcements for upcoming sessions in My Good School WhatsApp grp. 

Students and teacher may create a school newsletter incorporating Joy of Learning content.

These are some suggestions. We're looking forward to your excellent and thoughtful reflections, which you can email to mk@learningforward.org.in

In case you missed the session today, reply the video:

Reflections - My Good School Retreat 15th November 2024

My Good School Retreat 2024 - November 15

To conduct a My Good School retreat session focused on discussing animal behavior and emotions through the book "The Inner Life of Animals" by Peter Wohlleben.

Key Takeaways

• The group explored the concept of animal emotions, particularly maternal love, through the first chapter of the book
• Participants learned about squirrel behavior, including their nesting habits, food caching, and interactions with other animals
• The discussion highlighted how human perceptions of animals are often influenced by emotions rather than objective observation
• The session emphasized that maternal love is not exclusive to humans and exists across species, though with variations in its expression and development

Topics

Book Introduction and Context

• The group is reading "The Inner Life of Animals" by Peter Wohlleben
• The book explores animal emotions and behaviors, challenging assumptions about human uniqueness
• The author uses scientific research and personal observations to illustrate animal experiences

Squirrel Behavior and Survival

• Squirrels demonstrate maternal care by carrying babies on their necks
• They build nests (dreys) in trees, using soft materials for comfort
• Squirrels cache food for winter, but often forget locations, leading to natural tree planting
• Their survival strategies include spiral descent to avoid predators like hawks

Animal Emotions and Human Perceptions

• The group discussed how humans categorize animals based on appearance and perceived usefulness
• Squirrels were used as an example of how perceptions can shift (e.g., from cute to predatory)
• The discussion emphasized that animals act primarily for survival, not to be "good" or "bad"

Maternal Love Across Species

• The chapter explored whether maternal love is innate or learned
• Hormones like oxytocin play a role in bonding for both humans and animals
• Human capacity for learned love (e.g., adoption) was contrasted with more instinctive animal behaviors
• Examples of interspecies bonding were mentioned (e.g., cats caring for human infants)

Next Steps

• Participants encouraged to watch related movies/documentaries (e.g., Born Free, Lion King)
• Research Jane Goodall's work with chimpanzees for further insights on animal behavior.
• Reconvene at 5:30 PM for the Teacher's Academy session to continue book discussion.
• Local retreat participants to engage in a treasure hunt during the break.

Think it over

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

2. Find out about- 

a. dreys

b. nests of animals

3. How do animals prepare their nest? Which material is required by the animals to make their nest?

4. Winter, however, is more devastating than any predator. Who does the writer refer to ?

5. What will happen if there will be no food chain?

6. What is selfless mother's love according to you?

Two men looked out the prison bars; one saw a mud, one saw stars - Pasang Sherpa

Life is strange, and so are the humans. We have very different perspectives and ways of doing things. Some people get up and continue their journey even after knowing their chosen path is difficult. But some people seem to be hopeless. Likewise, this quote emphasises the different perspectives of two people for one thing. As it is said, "Two men looked out the prison bars: one saw mud, one saw stars". The first person who saw mud was hopeless and thought whatever he was doing was futile, while the other had an optimistic feeling that one day, like stars, he would attain glory and freedom.

Name-Pasang Sherpa

Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

Image Courtesy- Flickr

All Lives Have Equal Value -Tenzin Jambey

Inspired by reading the book at our Sunday School.

Shouldn't we treat all living beings equally? Don't you agree that animals, plants and insects deserve respect?

If you think that they should not, then tell me the reason for that. We, humans, are exploiting wildlife, hunting and poaching animals and trading their body and their body illegally for the sake of earthly things called "money". What harm have they done to us? For what reason are we hurting them? Shouldn't we care for the cow which gives us milk? Shouldn't we care and protect the forest that provides us with a source of living?

Plants, flowers, trees and grasses all have equal value in life. If we pluck or take them, they will die like us. We pluck their leaves, and they will get hurt like we get. If we love and care for them, they will grow like healthy human beings. 

We don't like plants and animals. And we feel like they shouldn't exist in this world. For example- Mosquitoes and weeds. Similarly, now place yourself in an animal or a plant like a goat and Sundari tree and ask yourself- 'Would you let a human live who is exploiting you for their means and for earning money? Ask this yourself twice, thrice and thousands of times. And you'll get the answer by yourself. Next time, before killing an insect or before harming a plant, you will think thrice.

At last, life is tough for everyone, whether rich or poor, animal or human. Sometimes we feel like becoming a bird or sometimes a butterfly. But they have their life challenges. 

If poor people think rich men live a luxurious life, he is wrong. It's the rich man's hard work day and night that the poor man didn't do, but we cannot blame the poor people for being poor. As I have told you before, life is tough for everyone. There can be many causes that led him to poverty.

Tenzin Jambey

Pestalozzi Children's Village, India.

People are more important than things - Tenzin Jambey

Reflection from Sunday School

Some people will choose expensive things, luxury items and valuable commodities over human beings, and some will give more importance to humans than any other things, even over the bag of gold and diamond. We all know very well that everyone is not the same. And therefore, one person can not change or bring goodness to others. First, we should be one to improvise our mindset, and we should be the ones to bring a good change in ourselves.

It is so true that people who have been close to death always give importance to other humans. These people respect all classes of people- from young to old and from poor to rich. I still remember the tragedy of my uncle, who once almost lost his life after being stuck under a rock while working. Nowadays, he is earning his life by serving as a driver. He has a very kind heart. He respects everyone. And sometimes he gives a free ride to the labours and workers as he has also been a labour and he knows their conditions of working and the level of physical hard work they do. 

If we are kind to others, then goodness comes to us through 'Karma'. When we give others love, care and importance, we get it all back from others. Having a great affection towards earthly things like gold and diamond would make your heart much like coal. But if you give importance and are affectionate towards humans, your work and contribution will always be remembered and told. It is not only the humans to whom we should give importance but also the animals, plants and our mother Earth, as in this world, everything is interconnected to each other in some way or the other.

At last, I want to bring up a powerful thought to acknowledgement- "When we were born the world rejoiced while we cried. Therefore, do a work that the world will cry when you die with rejoicing and happiness”.

Written by-

Tenzin Jambey

Pestalozzi Children's Village, India.

Appreciation - Tenzin Jambey

Image courtesy Pestalozzi World website.

Regarding appreciation, the image of people clapping for you and words like thanks and thank you come into our minds. Almost every people appreciate others by saying thanks and thank you. Some people think that only getting the word of thanks from others is an application, but I don't think about it that way.

Regarding my application work, I have done numerous good jobs. Whenever I do any good job or something, I first appreciate myself because it doesn't bring me any sadness or down feeling because of not being appreciated for my good work by someone; we should be the first to enjoy ourselves if we do any kind of work. Doing an excellent job in the presence of someone can be seen, and others might praise you for that, but being yourself without anyone's presence is a different thing; at that moment, there is no one to clap for you, and that's the moment when we should pat on our back for doing a good job. We should be good and kind to all humans, but what about plants and animals? They, too, have the right to live a long peaceful life. Humans are taking so much from nature and animals; in return, we are doing nothing helpful but destroying, killing and taking their life.

We should be kind to the plants and all the animals around us; in the hostel, I have planted varieties of flowers and plants since I am so attached to nature and the environment, and sometimes I water them in the evening. When I see that the soil level is unequal, I add soil and organic fertilizer like cow dung and decomposed vegetable peals. After returning from my vacation, I found that the plants had dried, and some had even died. I felt sad about that as I cared for them with my heart, I watered them, and the next day I saw them growing again, which thrilled me. No one appreciated me, as none saw me doing that, but when I appreciated myself, I heard the soundless appreciation of my plants and flowers. As the wind blew, they began to move, and I imagined they were dancing and singing with joy because I had watered them after so long.

We must come out of the mindset that being only kind to a human does not bring us appreciation, we must equally respect our mother earth and all the components of nature like air, water, land, soil, fire and even the dumb stones that stays in a fixed position and says nothing but we use it for many purposes.

Tenzin Jambey
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Being Human - Veda Varshita Marrivada

Being human is something which everyone cannot do. It depends on whether an individual is human, but what is being human? It means being a very generous human being. It is also a part of Humanity. Being human can also reflect on the character of a person. Donations, Charities, Adoptions, etc., come under the category of being human. A person requires a pure and kind heart to be human. Being human gives a feeling of satisfaction and happiness and teaches us to be good human beings.

The reality of the world hides in a mask where most people claim the good deeds and blame the bad deeds, but rare people are good humans from the inside. People show off their acts for the sake of status but not with good intentions. Humanity is becoming extinct, and many people hate each other. The percentage of cruelty in the world is at a high intensity.

Everyone should be treated fairly and equally. ALAS! I am still a child, but once I grow up, I shall donate money to old age homes and orphanages, give money to the poor and help anyone I see in trouble without hesitation. Also, I shall try my best to be a good human being as an honourable citizen of India, but my parents currently arrange food banks at orphanages and old age homes on our birthdays. Helping them gives us a feeling of happiness and joy. My parents always help others, inspiring and motivating me to do the same.

Helping others makes everyone happy. Humanity is an essential virtue which we should follow for a better world. Being human also applies to animals. Treating them fairly is necessary too. Many people torture animals such as horses, elephants, lions and other animals for entertainment.

In conclusion, everyone should do their best to be a good human being.

Veda Varishta Marrivada
Grade 5 Hyderabad Public School Begumpet

Listen to my reflection

Being Human - Tenzin Jambey

Having a good brain, two hands, two legs, two eyes, and a good outlook doesn't make you a human. Being human means being kind to humans and other living beings like animals, birds and insects. Being human means having a kind, gentle heart and personality with a  positive attitude toward everything. Some people have no mercy and love for people, and they do kidnappings and murders. People are killing people than just thinking about the way of treatment given to animals; these people are no less than a monster who has no mercy and love for anything except themselves. A good human has a kind and open heart that accepts other living beings as their own family, and they give love and care; they have mercy upon all living beings, even microorganisms.

I remember the saying of a great monk who once said that he feels sad and pitied to take steps because it kills microorganisms which can not be seen. 

We can not be called human until we feel humanity, humanism and tenderness upon living and non-living. We all should have mercy and love upon everything. At least let's be human with a kind and soft heart with gentle behaviour rather than being a monster with no compassion and love. 

Tenzin Jambey
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Being Human - Keyura Rao Cheeti

My school, The Hyderabad Public School Begumpet

Human beings are unique. But what are the qualities that make us so? Our intelligence and qualities, such as kindness, compassion, love, care, and empathy, differentiate us from other living beings.

We can use these qualities to improve the world by improving our and others' lives. We humans also have a responsibility towards Mother Earth. Some of the little things around me that I observed where I feel humanity can be put to use are children in the neighbourhood can learn to be compassionate towards the stray animals, friendly with other children, adults can be empathetic towards the beggars and the poor.

We must let go of our jealousy, pessimism, greed and pride that will stop us from seeing the good in others. We need to set an example for others to learn from us. We need to bring change in the world to make it harmonious for all of us to coexist.

Keyura Rao Cheeti
Class VI
The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet

Being Human - Aria Gupta

This is an illustration on the cover of The Little Book Of Values

This simple definition often needs to be more complicated.

It is sometimes said that there are specific types of humans, although it’s not true. Humans cannot be categorised into specific boxes like objects can. There is nothing such as cruel and kind, ugly and beautiful, pessimist and optimist, extraverted and introverted, etc.

All of that is just some thoughts in our minds. In reality, we all are unique and special in our own way. If there really were specific types, each would only contain one human. But because of these non-existent types, there is a lot of judgement by many people.

If someone appears cruel to you, they face an internal problem we cannot see from the outside. We all should try not to be prejudiced and fair to anyone, no matter who they are.

Aria Gupta
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Being Human - Amaira Bhati

Being a human, I feel proud but also crib about things a bit. I can tell the advantages and disadvantages of my life.

Had I been another human, I would like to carry my same attitude, feelings and thoughts. There are two types of humans, a cruel human and a kind human.

Our world's population of cruel people is growing, not knowing how many sins have been attempted. As a human, I have started exploring the world ahead of me even more.

With such small eyes of a human, the human can see the limitless skies. I see humans pulling and cutting trees and plants off their roots daily when we should care more for our dying earth.

Being a human is a beautiful journey. Some humans look at the negative side, while others look at the positive side. We humans only achieve something when we look at the positive side.

I feel proud to be a human by looking at the positive side, following kindness and expressing my thoughts and feelings to other humans who genuinely believe in themselves. Last but not least, I want to be a human who can understand everyone politely and kindly. Amaira Bhati Grade IV - C Gyanshree School

Mindful living is important in present time - Tenzin Jambey

With time everything is changing; we see development and new infrastructure set up. The living standard of people is also changing, and with the way of living standards, people's minds and the method of executing actions are too changing. We must be very mindful about our activities and words in today's world. 

Our one action can cause heavy destruction; with one step, our identity can change. With one step, we lose our trust, friends, and loved ones. Before doing any work or even speaking to somebody, we should ask ourselves whether we are doing the right thing. We should consider the effects and consequences, but many people still do something wrong even after knowing it is wrong. 

Humans get many emotions like greed, selfishness, and desire to possess. That's why it becomes difficult sometimes to have control over our actions. How strange we human beings are. Aren't we just for the sake of fun and enjoyment? We put everything, even studies, aside? This all originates in the mind, and we should adopt good habits so that lousy thought can die at the place where it was created. 

Good thinking leads to the execution of good actions, and good actions would lead you to a happy life. Indeed, we don't have control over our emotions but can control our actions.

Teenzin Jambey
Pestalozzi Children's India Village

Understanding - Shambhavi Nautiyal

Understanding is one of the traits of the most beautiful human beings on this planet. It revolves around several other values and virtues as well. To be understanding, one needs to have the will to do so, to be empathetic, considerate, caring and compassionate. Understanding one another’s feelings is the foundation of relationships, which creates wonders. Making someone feel understood makes them feel loved and gives them the feeling that they aren’t alone. Other people like them are there to stay by their side.

Understanding someone inculcates one of the prettiest feelings in our hearts, feelings of concern, love and kindness, which make humans human. Understanding strengthens unity. We should all try to understand each other’s feelings at the very least instead of poking fun at each other for that or making judgements about them.

When we allow ourselves to do so with an open heart and mind, we can talk things out properly and strengthen our bonds even further. Thus, we should all try to understand each other’s feelings and decisions instead of hating each other impetuously.

Shambhavi Nautiyal

Ahlcon Public School

Understanding between animals and humans

As we know, an understanding person can understand how others are feeling and forgive them if they do something wrong. The four steps of understanding are " know, use, expand and surpass". We should also understand the feeling of animals as they can't speak for themselves in our language. As we studied in our Sunday School, many animals want to share their emotions with us.

The relation between animals and humans in which man understands the feeling of an elephant. The emotional state of many animals is easily recognizable by their faces, eyes and how their muscle-tone changes, eye size and gaze. Many animals need help and are in danger because people are trying to kill them. That is why they became man-eaters; we still don't understand them. Instead of making them comfortable and able, we are killing them. So we should respect wild animals by keeping a safe distance away, not approaching and removing their environment. If you are scared of wild animals or found while travelling, just don't chase them, stay quiet and calm, and don't touch or get close. So we should also understand the emotions of animals.

Aayushma Gaha

Understanding has a unique value that other epistemic states, such as knowledge, do not. This fact threatens the justification for the focus on knowledge that the history of epistemology displays. Elsewhere it has been argued knowledge does not possess this exceptional value. There are a couple of lines of argument, however, that threaten to extend and denial of this unique value for understanding. Underlying all such challenges is the apparent fact that the language of knowing and understanding are closely related. This discussion argues that the kind of understanding we prize most is immune from the concerns plaguing the theory of knowledge. Animals don't understand the language in a language,  but they understand what you want to mention by your gestures, body language, and tone. These are animals like parrots, monkeys, dogs etc.
Sunita Bk

Understanding is that without which you cannot be a good human being. To be a better human being, one should have understanding. Understanding can improve explanatorily when one has more true beliefs of fundamental epistemic value. Stepwise, we should have an understanding of animals. In understanding animals, Lars Sevendsen teaches us how humans can attempt to understand the lives of other animals. We should understand the feelings of animals then. Only animals and human beings can have a good relationship between them. Let's take the example of a dog and how a dog understands us. Dogs read more into our tone and body language than actual words. They focus on us and observe our physical clues to determine what we want them to do. Understanding why some animals help others at the potential cost of their own survival and reproduction, for example, not only gives us insight into their behaviour but could also help us understand our species' ideas of altruism and sacrifice.

Samarika Karki 

Since humans are more advanced and social, we should have empathy. We should be understanding, caring and loving not only between us and the other person, but we should be understanding, caring and loving to animals also, as they have feelings too. If would be trust between the animal and humans, the world would live in peace. We should betray animals that rely on us; only then will there be a bond between that animals and humans.

Ngawang Lhamo

Humans have various ways of survival. Animals are only dependent upon nature. So, they do not have any other means of survival. Humans have become much more advanced and know several ways to survive and sustain themselves. Animals do not have such survival techniques; therefore, they only depend on nature for food. We can speak a complex language. We use our logic. But animals only do their actions based on instincts. Apart from the differences, humans and animals are similar in certain aspects and have an outstanding bond. Their bond mutually benefits people and animals and is influenced by behaviour essential to health and well-being. This includes, among other things, emotional, psychological and physical interactions between people, animals and the environment. 

Akshra Singh

As we know that the human and animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between humans and animals that is influenced by behaviour to the health and well-being of both. This includes, among other things, emotional, psychological and physical interaction of people, animals and the environment. 

Animals have been protectors, companions, co-workers and even best friends. Humans need animals in their lives to stay healthy, mentally and even physically. Animals are used in standard therapy to increase movement in the handicapped. We should also understand animals' feelings. They can't speak or show their emotions as we can; it doesn't mean we will not respect or treat them however they want. Because they are also like us, they also have feelings. 

Shraddhanshi Rawat