Reflection Sunday 9th March 2025

Sunday School # 179 

Summary of Episode 15: Suddh Uddesham from Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels:

In this episode, Guru Nanak emphasizes the importance of purity in intention and action. Suddh Uddesham (pure intention) refers to acting with a heart and mind free from selfish motives, aligning oneself with a higher spiritual purpose. Guru Nanak teaches that actions performed with pure intentions can lead to spiritual enlightenment and a deeper connection with the divine. This episode reflects Guru Nanak's teachings on how true purity is not just about external rituals but is rooted in the inner state of one's mind and heart.

Guru Nanak's travels in this episode highlight how pursuing a higher truth requires shedding personal desires and ego. It is not enough to follow external practices or customs; one must cultivate sincerity and a clear, unselfish purpose in all actions. The story encourages individuals to examine their intentions, emphasizing that purity in one's heart can lead to true spiritual fulfillment.

Guru Nanak's message of oneness and interconnectedness was key in integrating diverse saints' teachings in the Guru Granth Sahib. Amardeep explained that Guru Nanak traveled across the Indian subcontinent and engaged in dialogues with spiritualists from different traditions. He emphasized the concept of Ek Niranjan, the belief that the creator and creation are one, transcending religious boundaries. This philosophy allowed Guru Nanak to recognize the common threads in the teachings of saints like Bhagat Namdev, Bhagat Trilochan, and others and incorporate their verses into the Sikh scripture. The Guru Granth Sahib became a unifying text that celebrated the diversity of spiritual thought while highlighting the underlying unity.

In summary, Suddh Uddesham is about transforming one's internal state to reflect divine qualities through genuine, selfless action.

Reflection Question - Reflect on when aligning your actions with a deeper purpose brought clarity or transformation to your path.

Chapter 1: A Man for all seasons from The Door to Door Bookstore:

1. The Power of Books

• Question: What does the character's fascination with books tell us about the importance of reading in their life?

2. Personal Connections

• Question: How do the interactions between the main character and the people they meet in the bookstore reveal the significance of human connections?

• Question: In this Chapter, what changes or discoveries does the protagonist experience, and how might these shape the story's progression?

4. Finding Purpose

• Question: How does the main character seem to be searching for something more in life, and how might the bookstore be a part of that journey?

5. Mystery and Curiosity

• Question: What elements of mystery or curiosity are introduced in the first chapter, and how do they make you want to keep reading?

You can email your reflections to mk@learningforward.org.in or post them as comments below!

Reflection Sunday 2nd March 2025

 Sunday School # 178

Reflection questions based on Chapter 1: "A Man for All Seasons" from The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn:

1. First Impressions: What do you learn about Carl from the first chapter? What kind of person does he seem to be?

2. Carl's Routine: Carl has a routine for delivering books. Why do you think routines are important in life? Do you have any daily habits or routines?

3. Bookstore & Books: The bookstore is important to Carl's life. What is your favorite place to find or read books? Why do you like it?

4. Character's Mood: Carl seems content but also a little lonely. Have you ever felt lonely even when doing something you love? What helped you feel better?

5. Curiosity & Change: The chapter hints at changes in Carl's life. How do you feel when something unexpected happens? Do you like surprises, or do you prefer to plan everything?

• Reflection questions based on the chapter "Just for Fun" from The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben:

1. Playful Animals: The chapter talks about animals playing just for fun. Have you ever seen an animal playing? What was it doing?
2. Why Play Matters: Why do you think animals like to play? Does it help them in some way?
3. Your Own Fun: What do you do for fun without a goal or reason? How does it make you feel?
4. Animal Games: If you could play a game with any animal, which one would it be, and what game would you play?
5. Surprising Behavior: Did anything in this chapter surprise you about how animals have fun? Which part did you like the most?

The My Good School retreat is scheduled from April 11th to 14th. Art and music sessions are under consideration for the week, focusing on engaging a broader audience. Finally, plans for the Art and Music Sessions on Monday and Tuesday respectively, with Wednesday as a weekly off.

Meeting Purpose:  Discussed The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben and began reading The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn.

Key Takeaways:
Animals experience emotions, play, and form social bonds like humans.
Reading offers healing and new perspectives, sometimes in unexpected ways.
Technology and individualism are reshaping human interactions and behaviors.
Bookstores are evolving by diversifying products to attract customers.

Topics Covered:

Animal Emotions & Behaviors:
Crows engage in playful activities like sliding down roofs.
Animals form cross-species friendships, challenging instinct-based assumptions.
Mating behaviors involve complex emotions and hormonal responses.
Ravens form lifelong partnerships.

The Power of Reading:
Books provide healing and personal insights.
All types of literature contribute to reader development.
Strategic book placement can encourage reluctant readers.
Karl, a bookstore employee, strongly believes in books' transformative power.

Societal Changes:
Shift from outdoor to indoor activities due to technology.
Transition from joint to nuclear family structures.
The growth of senior care homes in India is less common than in the West.
Increasing individualism affects social bonds and family dynamics.

Bookstore Operations:
City Gate Bookstore diversifies with CDs, stationery, and chocolate.
Karl carefully wraps and delivers books to customers.
Running a bookstore is challenging in the digital era due to lower demand.

Next Steps:
Continue reading The Door-to-Door Bookstore in future sessions.
Participants will share personal experiences of how reading has influenced them.
Review upcoming My Good School events.
Interested participants to register for the retreat at Arthur Foot Academy (April 11-14).

You can email your reflections to mk@learningforward.org.in or post them as comments below!

Session recording:

#ThoughfulThursdays - Poetry Sessions

The sessions at hosted at 5:30 PM on Thursdays our universal evening #JoyOfLearning time! Ms. Brinda Ghosh curates the poetry session, in which we discuss the importance of sharing personal compositions and exploring different poetic forms.  

If you wish to join us, please join the GSI Jounal Group in the GSA Whatsapp Community. For assistance, kind send a WhatsApp Message to +91 9811133900 and quote #ThoughfulThursdays

My Good School · GSA Poetry Session 27th February 2025