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.

Life Lessons with Amardeep Singh - Tenzin Jambey

Tenzin Jambey of Pestalozzi Children’s Village India shares his reflections from the Sunday School on 24 December 2023, when we hosted a Meet and Greet with Amardeep Singh Rangar. Tenzin shares with us what being human is, how we yearn for peace, why money, perhaps the biggest sin for mankind, has made us lose our value system and much more. Please listen to his maiden podcast and share your love with him by posting your comments for the episode.

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) 

Reflections for today's meeting - Tenzin Chonzom

Sunday School 24th December 2024

We watched a video of an American woman who is 92 years old and an advocator of social justice, an incredible woman who encouraged me and taught me that it's never too late to start something.

•⁠  ⁠Having an extraordinary meeting with Amardeep sir was the most significant opportunity I had; with the help of his advice, a lot of things struct my mind

The following are:

 1.⁠ ⁠Not to follow a passion; create your passion.

 2.⁠ ⁠Never chase recognition (you'll not achieve anything). Create your content.

 3.⁠ ⁠Keep trying many things because we don't know the emergence.

 4.⁠ ⁠Everything in life is a means to an end, and there will be a chance to excel.

 5.⁠ ⁠Religion is a subset of legacy.

 6.⁠ ⁠Dreams are supposed to be filled with challenges and obstacles.

 7.⁠ ⁠Learning is feet for every individual.

Amardeep sir, In his documentary, The Tapestry of Guru Nanak:

I highly appreciate his hard work of 30 years and self-discovery. His interest in going to every risky area shows his passion and bravery.

My takeaway from this meeting is that he motivated me through all situations 🙏.

Tenzin Chonzom (Girl) from 9th grade 
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Belief - Rishona Chopra

 

In our present world, we believe several beliefs but, to be honest, one of them, which is the most popular one, is not valid. This is the belief of religion. We think going to places like Amarnath makes us pious, but that's not true. Being religious is mainly about following that path of God and respecting one's religion, right? 

So let me tell you that this is not what God wants. We think that going to temples and depositing money will give us blessings from God but it really doesn't. 

What God wants us to do is just to know who we are. A peaceful and powerful soul. The child of God. He never wanted us to pray to him or pray to his statues and photos. He simply wants us to know who we are, which, like I said, we are powerful and peaceful souls. We are the children of God, so once we know that, we just treat God like our very own parent, and that's what he wants. That is what will give us inner peace.

So why not focus on reality rather than believing these beliefs because, after all, it's just a belief.

Rishona Chopra
Grade V
Gyanshree School

A new world to bring - Rishona Chopra

If you look at the world now compared to the past, you might find the present life easier, but you will also notice that the world's culture and spirituality are lost. 

There was a lot of respect for culture and religion in the past. Everyone looked forward to religious festivals and ceremonies, but most of us hardly care about culture and faith in the present world. Most of us have forgotten that we have a family to spend time with. We look up to social media to communicate and share things. Most of us have forgotten that social media is just an app. We have our family and friends, some real people that actually understand our feelings. 

Apart from that, there is also a lot of unemployment in the world. People are greedy for money, even businessmen! Despite having more than enough, they still want more! People with greed pay less to their employees and don't control their spending. 

Now, it's your choice. What would you like - a spiritual and happy world or a lost and greedy world?

Every small step can make a big one.

Rishona Chopra

Grade V

Gyanshree School