Oneness to Me - Shambhavi Nautiyal

What does oneness mean to you? What is its true meaning and why is it relevant in today's times?

Oneness means being there for each other, being each other’s guardian angel and to me, it means seeing yourself in other people and deciding your consequent course of action. Oneness is the opposite of jealousy because you can feel happy for people, which truly marks self-love. If you feel happy for others, then you will be able to feel happy for yourself. 

I’ve been tested as to whether I believe in oneness by god and now I don’t feel bad for anything that happens to me anymore because if I don’t feel bad for deprivation, discrimination and other things happening to other people, then I don’t have the right to feel bad for myself either. All I can and should do is ‘embrace’ it all. Since the past can’t be changed but can be, I choose to let go of it. 

If you want to become like Lord Buddha, you have to have a sense of oneness. Oneness is feeling others’ pain and knowing that their win is your ‘win’ too. Brotherhood and sisterhood are the actual true essence of our being. Oneness is not denying or neglecting the Truth in you, but rather unleashing it. Comparison is not the key, acceptance is. 

It’s relevant in today’s times because it helps us find our set of people, who care about us and are ready to understand us. Oneness is a motivation to uplift each other and try to do what’s meant for each other’s good on an emotional level since we come from one Source and then merge into it.

Shambhavi Nautiyal

Ahlcon Public School

Beaver Dams - Arfa Khan

Illustration- Arfa Khan 

Beavers have incisors as strong and sharp as a chisel. They gnaw the bark of a tree (most of it) while the wind helps in taking down the rest. They use the bark and stones as the base of the dam and then pile up mud and sticks to finish it off. These dams play a vital role in cooling the forest down.

Arfa Khan

Grade 9

Ahlcon Public School

Thinking hastily and thinking wisely - Nishan Karki

It is human nature to think wisely and act in an absurd fashion.

― Anatole France

There is a big difference between thinking hastily and thinking wisely. Everyone in the world has a different way of thinking. Thinking depends upon experience, state of mind, situation, education, etc.

Firstly, let's talk about thinking hastily. Thinking hastily means thinking in a hurry without being very careful. Hasty thinking is not prevalent in our daily lives. We do not tend to think in a hurry while doing our daily work. We take time to think and make desirable decisions. Hasty thinking may ruin our decisions which will hamper our daily work and routine.

However, if we are stuck in a situation where we have to make split-second decisions, hasty thinking helps a lot.

Secondly, talking about thinking wisely. Thinking wisely means taking time to think carefully and make desirable decisions. Thinking wisely is prevalent in our daily lives, business environment, family, career, etc. This type of thinking helps us a lot throughout our lives to make sound decisions, tackle challenges and head to success. It is a very essential and necessary part of our lives. 

We have to think wisely to choose our career, future and family member's welfare. Entrepreneurs also have to think wisely and make sound decisions relating to their work and business. Wise thinking also helps them to compete with other businessmen.

On comparing these two, we come to the conclusion that thinking wisely is more important than thinking hastily. Thinking wisely is prevalent in our lives but thinking hastily occurs just at some point in our lives. Thinking wisely gives us a proper result or outcome. Thinking hastily leads to unsound decisions, errors and unintended consequences.

Nishan Karki

Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

What really matters? - Rishona Chopra

“As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.”

- Seneca 

Life is a precious thing. Perhaps, one of the most precious things on Earth. But what really matters in this life? Does it matter how long we live, or how we live? It's the tough question of Quantity or Quality. What matters more? But, what is the point of a long life if that life lacks quality? Lacks happiness, peace and content? If life has quality, then no matter how short, it does leave an impression and a good one. What's the point of a long life if it's full of sorrow? 

Life is like a book. Just like in a book, its quality matters. Its humour, mystery and uniqueness matter more than how big it is. It doesn't matter if a story is long, but if it has that quality, we turn back to read it again and again. 

Ultimately, we need to ensure that we live our lives to the fullest. This world is full of risks. Our life can take unexpected turns so we must live every moment. We struggle to live with content and happiness but a simple way is to look at all the good things in life. Let's count our blessings instead of focusing on the little wrong things. 

A moment without happiness is a moment wasted. And with a precious thing as life, we really can't afford to waste any. 

Rishona Chopra 
Grade VIII 
Gyanshree School

Leader - Arfa Khan

The leader should be chosen by their intellect, not by their looks- The partridge was the smallest in size yet it was chosen as the leader.

Self-realization and Respect- The animals realized that considering themselves superior is not going to work out and decided that there should be an authoritarian figure whom they will be willing to respect. 

Mutual agreement is necessary- The animals made a collective decision to choose the leader based on who the oldest was. Mutual agreement promotes harmony, fairness, and cooperation in various aspects of life.

Importance of leadership- Leadership provides guidance, vision, and direction to individuals and maintains order. Without it, there is a possibility of mishap. A true leader will work with the people to inspire and motivate them to achieve their full potential.

Arfa Khan

Grade 9

Ahlcon Public School

Solace in Books - Ishika Shrivastava

"Books" are that one constant companion throughout the whole life and "Reading" is that one habit which brings joyous colours to your life. 

People who understand the art of reading will always find peace in it because books aren't only for reading but can also act as a safe place for many people. 

The enhancement of vocabulary and good communication skills are some of the important skills that one can have which is actually a necessity in the real world, they can also make your point of view even larger and you get to understand people and your surroundings more properly and in an adequate manner. 

With clarity in mind and diverging eyes to the sites,

there you are with a gift of seeking out the beauty in the darkest of times 

with all the prowess in your hands,

embrace the shower of familiarity that has been long forgotten.

Here I am, resting my words by resonating that reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary 

Ishika Shrivastava

Grade-12 

Sunbeam Suncity School and Hostel

True Happiness is living in the present - Rishona Chopra

We spend our time, thinking relentlessly, 

Thinking about possibilities endlessly. 

What is to come? What had happened? 

These questions cloud us day and night. 

Thinking about the future and the past, 

All about what has passed. 

In this vast world, we forget,

That we haven't touched the present yet.

All forgotten about who we are,

We start thinking of the far.

Yes, we must learn from the past, 

But not live in what has passed. 

A wise person is content with their lot, 

Not wishing for what they have not. 

Being lost in hopes and fears, 

Doing the same for years and years. 

True happiness isn't in these wishes and wants, 

Not in these useless thoughts. 

Never do we enjoy what we have,

With the future, we always began.

It's to live in the present that is the true art, 

It's what really pleases the heart. 

Rishona Chopra 

Grade VIII

Gyanshree School 

Reflection of the week - Sunday 26th May 2024

 

 ~ What does oneness mean to you? What is its true meaning, and why is it relevant today?  

 

 -From Jataka Tales-   

1. Why do we read about the Jataka Tales?  

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

3. What learnings can we take away from the story "The Oldest Of The Animals"?  

4. Value of respect in our life 

5. Draw and describe a partridge. What makes it different from other birds?  

6. Why do we celebrate biodiversity day?  

7. Commanding and leadership. What's the difference?  

 

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees-   

1. What did you learn from the chapter today?  

2. What impact does this book have on you?  

3. Research on coniferous forests 

4. Relationship between weather, climate and trees 

5. Forest ecosystems and how they work 

6. Decomposition of trees 

7. What are chaffinches, and how are they nature's "weather reporters"? 

8. Research about beavers and their stories 

 

Watch the video below and share your thoughts about our Oneness Curriculum.

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!   

   

You can email your reflections to -   

nk@learningforward.org.in

Cosmic Fireworks: The Fascinating World of Solar Flares - Yashraj Sharma

 

What are Solar Storms?

Solar storms occur when the Sun emits enormous bursts of energy through solar flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). These phenomena send a stream of electrical charges and magnetic fields toward the Earth at about 3 million miles per hour!

• What are solar flares and CMEs?

A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation caused by the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots. It is one of the most significant explosive events in our solar system. Flares are seen as bright areas on the Sun and can last minutes to hours.

Coronal Mass Ejections are large plasma and magnetic field expulsions from the Sun's corona (outermost layer).

Effects of the Solar Storm on Earth

1. Public and amateur radio (used by citizens) is frequently disrupted. Communications, navigation, and even land surveying via land, water, and air use global positioning systems (GPS) to determine routes and locations based on satellite radio waves. These waves are disrupted and/or interrupted by the geomagnetic waves from the Sun.

2. Blackouts and power outages 

If a significant solar storm were to hit the Earth, the worst-case scenario would be the damaged power grids, resulting in blackouts. The geomagnetic currents induced by a solar storm can overload power grids and potentially cause transformers to fail, leading to widespread power outages. 

           One example of such a black is the Canadian blackout of 1989. 

This geomagnetic storm occurred on March 13, 1989. It caused a nine-hour outage of Hydro-Québec's (largest power utility in Canada and a significant player in the global hydropower industry) electricity transmission system.

The ever-so-mesmerizing ‘Northern Lights’

Earth’s magnetic field shields our planet against solar flares and CMEs. 

When a solar flare reaches Earth, as it is about to collide, it meets with the magnetic field and spirals around it. It then goes down into the poles of the Earth. This area is known as the 'Aurora Oval.' When these flares collide with the atmosphere's particles, they excite and cause them to rush. This excitement causes the particles to light up!

Hence, giving us wavy patterns and 'curtains' of light, these are commonly known as ‘Auroras’

Yashraj Sharma

Gyanshree School

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Compiled from reading and sourced from references on Google Search.

Refelctions & Questions - The Doon Girls School

Jataka Tales & The Hidden Life of Trees

How can trees create their own microclimate?

The author explains that trees create leafy humus that can store moisture, and their branches can slow winds and create calmer air within the forest. Over time, these conditions reduce evaporation and create moist soil with better water storage, allowing more trees to thrive.

 by (Sanskriti- VI)

In "The Peacock Wings," what I gather is that our life choices should prioritize goodness, embracing both the flaws and beauty of others.

by (Aadya- VI)

Woody Climate Control

When the annual leaffall of beech trees occurs, it creates an alkaline humus that has the capacity to store a significant amount of water.

by (Ibadat-VI)