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

X-D
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)

The Key Endeavour of Jataka Tales - Sanvi Rai

The key endeavour of the Jataka tales is to teach people the value of a good life. Every jataka tale teaches the people the values of mankind and humanity in various aspects. The message conveyed by Buddha in these tales has great significance. 

From the story “The Fowler and the Quail” we can witness the power of unity and oneness the cooperation and the strength unity lies within is remarkably evident. Yes, the story did connect me today and taught a mesmerising lesson about being in a team and we should not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs. 

In essence, oneness is a feeling of interconnectedness and being spiritually related to one’s soul and heart. We gain the supreme power to see tranquillity and beauty around everyone and embedded in each soul. Religion is a complex system of beliefs and practices concerning the universe's existence, nature, and purpose. It typically involves devotion to a higher power. 

Sanvi Rai
Class 9
Sunbeam School, Bhagwanpur

Spirituality- Prapti Rai

Spirituality, to me, embodies the exploration of the deeper dimensions of existence beyond the confines of the physical world. It's about seeking a connection with something greater than ourselves, whether it's through religious practices, meditation, nature, or acts of compassion and kindness.

Modern spirituality centres on the "deepest values and meanings by which people live".It often embraces the idea of an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality. It envisions an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his or her being.

Not all modern notions of spirituality embrace transcendental ideas. Secular spirituality emphasizes humanistic ideas on moral character- qualities such as love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, responsibility, harmony, and concern for others.

These aspects of life and human experience go beyond a purely materialist view of the world without necessarily accepting belief in a supernatural reality or any divine being. However, Guru Nanak's documentaries likely portray spirituality as a universal quest for meaning and transcendence, showcasing diverse perspectives and practices from around the globe.

Through storytelling and insights from various cultures and traditions, these documentaries likely illuminate the common threads that unite us in our search for purpose and understanding in the vast tapestry of existence.

Prapti Rai

Sunbeam Bhagwanpur

The Gurunanak Docuseries - Simar Kaur

The concept of oneness, often symbolized by "Ik Onkar" in Sikhism, is a profound idea that teaches us about the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. It's like recognizing that each piece of a puzzle is important because it contributes to the bigger picture. In Sikhism, this principle promotes harmony, equality, and compassion among people, regardless of their differences in religion, culture, or background. It encourages us to see beyond these surface-level distinctions and recognize the deeper unity that binds us all together.

When we watch the Guru Nanak docuseries, we can see how this principle plays out in real life. It likely shows us stories of people from different walks of life coming together, respecting each other's differences, and working towards common goals. This could be anything from helping those in need to protecting the environment. By embracing diversity and recognizing our shared humanity, we can create a world where everyone feels valued and respected.

Moreover, the practice of yoga is another way to connect with this sense of oneness. Yoga is more than just stretching and breathing exercises; it's a way to tune into our inner selves and feel connected to the world around us. When we practice yoga, we're not just doing physical movements – we're also tapping into a deeper sense of peace and harmony within ourselves. It's like a reminder that we're all part of something bigger than ourselves.

So, by embracing the concept of oneness and practising yoga, we can cultivate a greater sense of compassion, empathy, and unity in our lives. We can learn to see the beauty in our differences and work together to create a more inclusive and harmonious world for everyone.

By -Simrat Kaur

Class-9th

Sunbeam Bhagwanpur

The forge of life - Saikiran Sahu

                                                      Illustrated by Christian Espinosa

In the forge of life, we're tested, tried,

Through every hardship, we abide.

Though storms and thunder may 

rage and winds may blow,

Our strength within begins to show.

With every stumble and every fall,

We rise again; we stand tall.

Each challenge faced, each fear unchained,

Our resilience is surely gained.

From struggles faced and fights won,

Our endeavour's just begun.

With every stride, we grow stronger yet,

In the face of adversity, we'll never forget.

Because our motive is to rise, conquer, endure,

And become stronger evermore. 

                                                                                                      -Saikiran Sahu XC