Reflections Sunday The 13th October 2024

Sunday School No. 158

-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?

4. What could be the true meaning of worship and religion? 

5. Importance of reflection and clear thought 

6. According to you what is the real meaning of the "essence"? 

7. What is the real purpose of a "pilgrim"? 

8. Would you learn the Gurumukhi script to better understand Guru Nanak's teachings? 

9. What importance does Guru Nanak's "message of oneness" hold? 

10. Have the boundaries divided us or made us even stronger? 

11. How did Dakha get its name?

Rishona added: What's evident in the series is, first, the feeling of oneness and the true belief in oneness. Today, it isn't the physical boundaries that divide us but the emotional boundaries we make and the beliefs that we make that may divide us. This sense of oneness is essential in today’s world. Second, the fact that Guru Nanak goes beyond religion. The true meaning and accurate understanding of it. That belief that religion is beyond prayers and names is lovely. Reflect on this.

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees –

1. Why is the forest known as the epitome of healthy air? 

2. What is your takeaway from today’s session? 

3. What happens when a thicker coat is formed on leaves? 

4. How does a tree breathe? 

5. How do trees survive? 

6. What would happen if tree roots don't breathe? 

7. Role of algae activity in the ocean 8. Do trees sleep and how?

Thanks to Rishona Chopra for the valuable inupts.

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections! You can email your reflections to - mk@learningforward.org.in

My Good School Sunday 13-10-2024

Key Takeaways

• Explored Episode 10 of Guru Nanak documentary, covering his travels from Bihar to Bangladesh and Assam
• Discussed key themes: oneness, women's empowerment, breaking religious boundaries, self-reflection
• Read chapter on "Healthy Forest Air" from "The Hidden Life of Trees", examining trees' role in air purification and oxygen production
• Promoted upcoming retreat at My Good School from Nov 13-16, featuring forest immersion and book discussions

Topics

Guru Nanak Documentary Discussion

• Amardeep Singh provided context on Episode 10, covering Guru Nanak's journey from Bihar to Bangladesh and Assam
• Highlighted Guru Nanak's teachings on:
• Oneness and universal brotherhood, transcending religious boundaries
• Women's empowerment, advocating for gender equality 500 years ago
• Self-reflection and wisdom as tools for spiritual growth
• Discussed lasting impact of Guru Nanak's philosophy, with followers still present in Bangladesh today
• Explored metaphorical interpretations of stories, e.g. Bhai Mardana's "transformation" representing loss of rational thinking

The Hidden Life of Trees - Forest Air Chapter

• Trees act as natural air filters, trapping 20,000 tons of particles per square mile annually
• Forests produce 29 tons of oxygen per square mile daily during summer
• Trees need rest and are negatively impacted by constant artificial light
• Discussed importance of allowing indoor plants to rest at night and have access to natural light
• Explored how trees "breathe" through leaf stomata and roots

My Good School Retreat

• Upcoming retreat from Nov 13-16 at Khan Farm, Dehradun
• Features forest immersion, book discussions on "The Inner Life of Animals" and "The Hidden Life of Trees"
• Cost: 15,000 rupees per person, all-inclusive for 4 days/3 nights
• Fireside chat with Krista from Canada on Children's Day (Nov 14)
• Limited to 50 delegates; open to principals, teachers, and students

Next Steps

• Participants to reflect on self-reflection techniques and importance of oneness
• Research phytoncides and their effects on human health
• Consider registering for the My Wood School retreat (Nov 13-16)
• Read posts on Joy of Learning Diaries, including Rishona's reflection on oneness
• Manisha to compile reflections from participants for blog post

Action Items

• Write & submit reflection on women's empowerment message from Guru Nanak documentary to Manisha for blog post
• Write reflection on self-reflection concept from Guru Nanak documentary for Joy of Learning blog
• Research & add info to reflection post on how Dhaka got its name (beyond what was mentioned in documentary).
• Compile reflection post for Joy of Learning blog - include Rishona's quote on oneness, add prompts from Sandeep Dutt's telegram msg.

God & Belief - Samriddhi Banerjee

Guru Nanak Ji believes in one God but I believe that God provides a framework for understanding the world and our place within it. It provides a sense of purpose and meaning in life. The belief in one God can teach a person to believe in your own self and make a better world for themselves. 

Samridhhi Banerjee

Grade-IV 

Sunbeam Hostel Lahartara

We are all connected and we are one - Nishan Karki

“The most important things in life are the connections you make with others.” – Tom Ford 

All the human beings living in this world are connected to one another. Despite differences in race, religion, colour, custom and language, we are all one. We are somehow directly or indirectly connected to each other.

Connection with other people makes our life easier and happier. If we are connected to one another, it means we have someone to share our happiness and sadness and other emotions. We can help people in times of their distress and also get back help from others.

People who are lonely are lost (mentally) and do not seem very active. They do not indulge in conversation and do activities with other people. These people are not well connected to one another. 

Maybe, the lives of people who are not connected to others are not fun. But from many people's point of view, it may be fun.

Sometimes, I sing a song in my mind. Then after a few seconds, I hear another person singing the same song. This makes me wonder whether our minds are connected or not. This has happened several times.

"Oneness" to Me: Tenzin Chonzom

Oneness shows us the meaning of connection, in every sense of the word. Oneness is a feeling of interconnectedness. It is usually experienced as an intense heart-opening and awareness of the goodness in all beings

Once Guru Nanak said, "God is neither Hindu nor Muslim”. He emphasized that there is only One God who has created the entire universe, including human beings. According to me oneness means unity of thought, feeling, belief, aim, etc.; a strong feeling of closeness and union.

Oneness is a usual attitude towards life, and it's the belief that everything is connected in the natural world.

Tenzin Chonzom, Grade 9
Pestalozzi Children Village Society, India  

What Is Age! And many more - Sunbeam School & Hostel Lahartara

Image from the RoundSquare.Org website 

WHAT IS AGE!
My life is still valuable even if I cannot help others. I can explore new hobbies, enjoy moments with family, and learn exciting things. Being kind to myself matters. I can find joy in little things and create happiness within and for others. My worth isn't just about helping others but embracing who I am.
- Anmol Kashyap VIII B 

Oneness In Diversity

1. Age is just a number. If you dare to do work, which means that even if you are 80 years old and sitting at home, which makes you feel bored and want to do something, then age does not matter.

2. "What is my life if I am no longer useful to others?". This means we should always help others if we can do that and relieve our lives in others with compassion.

3. Anyone who stops learning is old, while one who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in your life is to keep your mind young.

- Mridul Maheshwari IX-D

In the 21st century, religion is not just a path to follow; it is an agenda to cause trouble for the world. In the 15th century, Guru Nanak Ji travelled half of Asia and gave his own philosophy of oneness in diversity. He talked to Muslims, Christians and every religion, and still, after the gap of six centuries, the Muslims of Afghanistan remember and respect his ideology.  

- Shaurya Chaturvedi VIII-B

To maintain a tricky balance.

Money is not bigger than life, and it's an opportunity to create has no money; it's an opportunity to make meaning. The worst invention is money.

The barter system was the best as it exchanged love.

So we should maintain a balance between our work life and our personal life.

Power should not be a thing to curse but to cure others.

Keep trying many things as we don't know the emergence of anything in life.

Because our exceptions have no bounds.

-By Animesh Kashyap Class VIII-B

.

Listening comes before speaking.

By listening to others, we gain a deeper understanding of their perspective and discover the best way to deliver the message we need our audience to hear. Guru Nanak says that deep listening opens sensitivity and gives us knowledge. Doing this will allow us to consciously shape our destiny, a fundamental human capacity. It is not a small thing. It is a state in which we exist in a creative polarity with our own infinite self and God.

-  Pranvi Chandra - IX D

PURVEYORS OF HOPE

A WHOLE STACK OF MEMORIES NEVER EQUALS LITTLE HOPE.

HOPE ENDS FEAR IN YOUR HEART, AND WHEN WE DO THE BAD THINGS, THEY SOMETIMES BECOME UNBEARABLE UNTIL HOPE MAKES THEM DISAPPEAR IT IS THE ONE THING THAT KEEPS US GOING WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH AND ROUGH. IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO FOCUS ON, AND WHEN WE DO BAD THINGS, THEY SOMETIMES BECOME UNBEARABLE. HOPE MAKES THEM DISAPPEAR, AND WHEN WE DO BAD THINGS, THEY SOMETIMES BECOME UNBEARABLE UNTIL HOPE MAKES THEM DISAPPEAR.

A GOOD TEACHER CAN INSPIRE HOPE, IGNITE THE IMAGINATION, AND STILL A HOPE OF LEARNING.
VAIBHAV JAISWAL (9D) 

Jai Hind - Pasang Sherpa

 

'Jai Hind' is not just a word; it's an emotion, a feeling of oneness and patriotism amongst the people, whether in or outside India. 'Jai Hind' is not just a slogan but an expression of love for the country of India. 'Jai Hind' is not just a sentence; it's the source of unity among all the citizens of India, whether he or she is of any religion, caste, colour, or gender. 'Jai Hind' remained, remains, and will always remain in the hearts of Indians. 'JAI HIND'

Name-Pasang Sherpa

Pestalozzi Children's  Village Society

Every Breath - Poem by Shivpreet Singh

Shivpreet Singh · Every Breath (Poem)

Every breath. 

This word 

reminds me 

of your name 

every breath. 

I imagine you unseen

From the little that I see 

And inhale your wonder 

in every breath. 

O resident 

of every atom 

O enlivener 

of every motion

Every breath 

O pervader

Of every direction

O permeator

Of every conscience 

Every breath

I have felt

your power 

in every breath. 

Your hue 

in every color, 

Your essence  

In every perfume

Your whisper 

In every breath. 

Brings 

This word 

From numb chaos 

To a vibrant stillness 

This oneness 

Instills my breath 

In every other breath

Every breath

Saas saas. 

Incessant Remembrance of Oneness: 

Truth, Love, and Beauty

Refer to:

https://www.shivpreetsingh.com/2016/06/saas-saas-simro-gobind-translation.html

We have invited Shivpreet Singh to My Good School, do enjoy his compositions.

Friendship - Anusha Jain

The beautiful story of Lord Krishna and Sudama shows friendship's love, and bond.
Name: Anusha Jain
Grade: 9
Ahlcon Public School