Special Post: Screening of Episode 17 “Allegory - A Tapestry of Guru Nanak’s Travels”

My Good School (05/18/2025)

We commenced with a brief on the upcoming episode of a docuseries about Guru Nanak's life and teachings, covering his spiritual journey, philosophical messages, and visits to significant religious sites. Participants explored key concepts from Guru Nanak's philosophy, including the interconnectedness of all existence, the importance of introspection, and the distinction between spirituality and religion. The discussion also touched on the historical context of languages and scripts in Punjab, as well as the interpretation of spiritual concepts and their relevance to personal growth and understanding.

Next steps

• Students will write reflections on the session, which will be published and shown in the next meeting.

• Manisha will collect and review student reflections before the next meeting.

• Students to research and learn more about the concept of "monism" as mentioned by Amardeep.

• Students should watch previous episodes of the Guru Nanak series on www.thegurnanak.com for better context and understanding.

• Amardeep will continue producing future Guru Nanak series episodes in multiple languages.

Summary

Guru Nanak Docuseries Episode 17

The meeting discussed the upcoming episode of a docuseries on Guru Nanak's life and travels. Amardeep, the executive producer, introduced the series, emphasising its focus on understanding Guru Nanak's philosophical messages and his journey across Asia. He explained that the series aims to convey the concept of the entire creation as one ecosystem, rather than promoting human supremacy. The episode to be discussed is the 17th in the series, and Amardeep highlighted key messages that will be covered, including Guru Nanak's journey from Chittorgarh to his birthplace, Nankana Sahib. The meeting also touched on the availability of the series in multiple languages on the website www.thegurnanak.com.

Journey of Spiritual Growth and Balance

Amardeep discussed the spiritual journey depicted in the episode, focusing on themes such as introspection, prayer, and mindfulness. He explained how the movement of the Earth around the sun compares to personal growth and the importance of reflecting on one's actions. The discussion included visits to significant religious sites in India and explored philosophical concepts from various spiritual texts. Amardeep emphasised the need to understand these stories symbolically rather than literally, highlighting the message of achieving balance and empathy.

Guru Nanak Pilgrimage Sites Discussion

Amardeep explained the significance of various pilgrimage sites associated with Guru Nanak, including Ajmer, Pushkar, Mathura, and other locations in India. She explained these sites' historical and spiritual importance and mentioned the presence of a gurdwara in Pushkar. The conversation included references to religious practices and the cultural significance of these locations. Amardeep and Jugjiv joined the discussion briefly, but the transcript does not provide clear context for their contributions.

Journey of Spirituality and Ego Submission

Amardeep shared the spiritual journey through Delhi and into Pakistan, highlighting key sites and messages from Guru Nanak's teachings. He explained the concept of building mental "dikes" to control negative thoughts and the significance of bowing as an act of ego submission. The discussion covered comparing the body to a farmland and the importance of the thoughts and crops planted within it. The journey concluded at Nankana Sahib, where Guru Nanak was born, with a message about gathering like-minded spiritual individuals and the importance of conquering one's mind to achieve victory in the world.

Guru Nanak's Life and Teachings

The meeting focused on Guru Nanak and his teachings, including his philosophy on charity and the importance of clean actions. The discussion covered Guru Nanak's travels, his companionship with Bhai Mardana, and his interactions with various historical figures and places. The presentation included details about Guru Nanak's visits to Sultanpur Lodhi and his teachings on devotion and service. After the presentation, participants were encouraged to ask questions, and some viewers requested access to the video or documentation of the presentation.

Punjabi and Urdu Script Evolution

The meeting primarily focused on discussing languages and scripts, particularly the evolution of Punjabi and Urdu scripts. Amardeep explained how the Persian script was used for official purposes in Punjab under British rule. In contrast, the Landa script (later known as Gurmukhi) was used to address the spiritual needs of the Sikh community. The discussion also touched on the historical context of how Urdu, developed in the UP and Bihar region, was introduced to Punjab due to British influence, leading to the replacement of Persian script in the school system.

Interpreting Guru Nanak's Spiritual Teachings

The meeting focused on discussing spiritual concepts and their interpretations, particularly through the lens of Guru Nanak's teachings. Amardeep explained key terms like 'ghosty,' 'kalandar,' and 'rohanyat,' emphasising the distinction between spirituality and religion. Khushi and others asked questions about specific words and phrases from a video, which led to detailed explanations about thoughts, actions, and the human spirit. The discussion highlighted the importance of being proactive, observing one's thoughts, and recognising the spiritual aspect within everyone, as Chetan Khosla shared insights from Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People." The session concluded with reflections on the universal nature of spirituality and the need for respect and learning from diverse ideas.

Guru Nanak's Philosophy of Oneness

The discussion focused on Guru Nanak's teachings and their interpretation, particularly around Ek Onkar (Oneness) rather than monotheism. Amardeep explained that Nanak's philosophy emphasises the interconnectedness of all existence, viewing creation, sustenance, and destruction as different forms of energy rather than separate entities. He clarified that Nanak's message is about understanding the oneness of creation, with "Satnam" representing the reality of this interconnectedness, rather than focusing on religious differences. The session concluded with students being encouraged to write reflections on the episode, which would be shared in the next meeting.

AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy.

My Good School, Sunday the 6th April 2025

Sunday School # 183

Episode 16 – "Gyan Bohit: Boat of Wisdom" from the Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels series:

"Inner Awakening Through the Wisdom of the Guru"

This episode explores the metaphor of the Gyan Bohit—a wisdom boat that carries seekers across the ocean of illusion and ignorance toward truth, understanding, and liberation. The boat represents Guru Nanak's teachings, which guide individuals through the storms of life with clarity, courage, and compassion.

In Episode 16, Gyan Bohit: Boat of Wisdom, Guru Nanak's journey is shown as a physical exploration and a deep spiritual voyage. He meets people caught in rituals and superficial religious practices, and through dialogue and song, he gently steers them toward inner reflection and truth. The Gyan Bohit (wisdom boat) symbolises his teachings as a vessel to cross the worldly ocean (bhavsagar), freeing individuals from ignorance and leading them to a deeper purpose. The episode emphasises introspection, ethical living, and the transformative power of wisdom.

Reflection Questions:

1. What does the 'Boat of Wisdom' symbolise in your own life? What helps guide you through difficult times?

2. How do Guru Nanak's teachings encourage us to question blind rituals and seek truth through self-awareness?

3. Can you think of a moment when knowledge or insight helped you overcome a personal struggle?

4. Why is wisdom considered more potent than mere information or tradition in life?

5. How can we become 'boats of wisdom' for others around us—family, friends, or community?

Summary of Today's Session:

Amardeep led the session, focusing on Episode 16 of the 45-episode documentary series on Guru Nanak's travels. The key highlights included:

• The teachings of Guru Nanak emphasise respect for nature and understanding the symbolic meanings of natural elements (like rivers, trees, and mountains).

• A strong message on the importance of inner purification and genuine spirituality over mere external rituals.

• Coverage of Guru Nanak's journey from Bharuch, where he engaged in meaningful dialogues with saints and visited spiritually significant sites, promoting interfaith understanding and universal values.

The session encouraged reflection on spirituality, simplicity, and reverence for all forms of life—core themes in Guru Nanak's philosophy.

I am looking forward to our continued discussions. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need clarification. 

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

 

The Guru Nanak Documentaries Episode 8- Advika

Reflecting on the screening of Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels on Sunday the 18th of August 2024.

Today's episode of "The Guru Nanak Documentaries" taught us what our rituals were about. They were merely not for external use or washing in a holy river; they meant cleansing yourself of your sins, wrongdoings, and bad karma. 

This session was deep and spiritual and raised awareness of how our thoughts and ideologies have changed over the years. People bathe in the Ganges, thinking it will detox them. They shall attain salvation, but in reality, as Guru Nanak Ji said, our self-reflection, acting upon our sins, and rectifying what we did wrong and who we hurt is true detoxing and will lead you to salvation, not some mere external activities that are futile in the end. 

The reality is that people nowadays travel miles to go to Varanasi and other spiritual places to reach God, purify their souls, come back to their homes, and repeat the same toxic life. What is the point of even going to these places when we do nothing to act upon ourselves? 

True devotion never lies in just bathing in rivers. It lies within the soul. Purity, correcting what we do, and making ourselves better people, while helping others. Love God, love yourself, and make yourself into a better person.

This is true devotion. 

Advika Khanna 
Gyanshree School

The Unforgettable Journey 🚙 - Oshi Singh

Image courtesy https://blog.klm.com/, used by Oshi Singh for representation only. 

This poem is an inspiration from the poem, ' When I Set Out For Lyonnesse' by Thomas Hardy. There are two interpretations of his poem.

First, he was out to a new land for his work, and over there, he met a girl and fell in love. Later they got married, and then he wrote this poem as he believed his marriage changed him for the better. Although the second interpretation is that when he went to the new land, which he refers to as Lyonnesse, he went through a drastic spiritual change, and after he came back, everyone could see he returned a better man. So his poem was about his journey from ignorance to enlightenment. 

This poem that I have written captures the emotions felt by Thomas Hardy throughout his journey to the far-off land of Lyonesse. It captures how he was unsure before setting out on his journey and how he changed for the better. 

When I set out to Lyonnesse, 

A hundred miles away. 

I had doubt in my mind,

But I knew it was high time. 

So I set out to Lyonnesse, 

A hundred miles away. 

Little did I know, 

The miracle of life would drive me away. 

When I came back from Lyonnesse, 

A hundred miles away. 

I had magic in my eyes, a glow on my face, 

Which, unlike time, shall never fade away. 

When I set out to Lyonnesse, 

A hundred miles away. 

Little did I know, 

The miracle of life would drive me away. 

Now I return a better man, 

And no one shall take it away from me. 

When I set out to Lyonnesse, 

A hundred miles away. 

Oshi Singh
 VIII D
Gyanshree School 

Reference: https://blog.klm.com/klm-podcast-the-journey/ 

The Worm I want to be: Story Reflection - Anusha Jain

My reflection from the story Ignorance, Evolution and Avatar

After reading this beautiful story about enlightenment and awakening, I think most people would want to be like the last group of worms which grow wings and fly away from the canal, those yogis, saints and sages who raise beyond the belt of ignorance to the supreme freedom of spirit.

It is wiser to first be the initial group of worms who represent the first stage of ignorance, those who cross the physical and vital evolution phase and rise to the higher mental being and live content and satisfied. It is because we live in a world where we run an endless rat race and chase after money.

We are told to make a promising career and think about our aspirations. So, practically, if we can become like the first group of worms, we would be able to decide about our future in a better way whilst living up to society's expectations. By doing so, we would be able to help other people attain enlightenment and make a difference.

Anusha Jain, X-D
Ahlcon Public School
I am very fond of reading; Harry Potter is my favourite series.

The worm I want to be - Rishona Chopra

 I want to be a worm who grew wings and flew away from the canal.

They didn't think they were more extraordinary because of little light but tried to attain peace and freedom and did not let pride and ignorance touch them.

The first group of worms represents the first stage of evolution in ignorance. They are those human beings who have crossed the physical and most crucial phase of evolution and risen to the consciousness of the higher mental being. The second group of worms represents the next stage of evolution in which human consciousness or the mind opens itself to a higher light beyond the rational mind and receives intuitions and inspirations from it but still lives within the world of ignorance. 

The last group of worms which grow wings and fly away from the canal are those human souls who proceed further and rise beyond the belt of human mental ignorance to the supreme freedom of the spirit. 

I want to be like the last group. That person who would raise beyond the belt of human ignorance and go beyond the sky. In the wheel of life, I want to be free from suffering and desire like Buddha. All stages represent the worms, and in the end, the first two stages still desire more and live in human and mental ignorance.

I want to be like the last group who open their wings and fly in the spiritual world with a smile.

Rishona Chopra 
Grade VI 
Gyanshree School

International Yoga Day - Ritu Parihar

International Yoga Day

Today our school celebrated 7th International Yoga Day. Everyone participated with great zeal and enthusiasm. The session was conducted by Rahul Sir and Abhay Sir. It was started with our Principal Ma'am's message to practice yoga in our daily lives. Then, we performed several asanas virtually, and the benefits were explained. 

Yoga is the only process in which you can exercise without any equipment. The light that yoga sheds on life are something special. Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines originating in ancient India. It is an art and science of healthy living.

There are lots of benefits to practising yoga. It increases your flexibility and helps you to build strength. It improves your posture and helps to keep your joints healthy. 

Yoga is a powerful mindfulness practice. It reduces stress and lowers blood pressure. In addition, yoga's incorporation of meditation and breathing can improve a person's mental well-being. Regular yoga practice creates mental clarity and calmness, increases body awareness, relieves stress, relaxes the mind, centres attention, and sharpens concentration. Therefore, yoga should be part of our daily routine to live a happy and healthy life.

Ritu Parihar

Class  IX A

The Fabindia School