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!

 

No job is menial, no work is small - Rishona Chopra

Image sourced from Google Search by Rishona

When one has to choose a career path, one would often think of the following things: "Doctor, Engineer, Astronaut, Scientist" but would never dream of saying "I want to be a plumber, an electrician, a restaurant waitress, a security guard for a local shop". Why? Because these jobs are what we think of as "menial". Ask the people around you if they would ever want to be a plumber, a house nanny, a school bus driver, etc, and the answer will be out instantly.

This whole perception of how these jobs are "inferior" is just a societal stereotype. The truth is, we NEED these people. Yes, we need doctors and scientists, but we need these workers just as much. We rely heavily on those who do these so-called "menial" jobs. We rely so much on them to fix our home wiring, solve the issue of a clogged toilet, clean our home, and cook our food. Yet, for some reason, we can't imagine being a hotel receptionist and being proud of it.

Another reason for this is the job pay that comes with it. We don't respect these workers and their worth in our lives. Hence comes the low wage. Their work requires hard work, patience, strength, and much more. It's tiring and taxing and, unfortunately, not as rewarding. And where is this constant negative energy about these "menial" jobs leading us? Unhappy workers. Workers who aren't happy in what they do and don't know their value and society is to blame for it.

Why should a factory worker be paid minimum wage while a CEO is paid millions? Those factory workers are the backbone of that place, and in the end, those workers have to bear the brunt of it all.

The problem is that we don't realise that we need them. We need all those people who we would never want to be. That's the irony of life.

Now, ignorant fellows often claim that there is possibly nothing that they can do about these matters, but there is something that we can do. We can help, respect, and care for these workers. Whatever we may be in our lives, we are still human. Let's act like it. Rishona Chopra Grade IX Gyanshree School School Captain My Good School

My Good School, Sunday 30th March 2025

 

Sunday School # 182

At the Door-To-Door Bookstore, Carl is skeptical about the bookstore's ability to change lives, while  Schascha believes in the power of books to connect people. Their contrasting views create tension and an opportunity for growth.

1. How do Carl's and Schascha's perspectives on life shape their actions in this chapter?

   • Schascha is eager to fulfill her mission, while Carl remains indifferent. How do these differences influence their journey and their handling of delivering the book?

2. How does Schascha's determination contrast with Carl's reluctance?

   • Schascha is deeply invested in delivering the book, while Carl is uninterested. What does this say about their different attitudes toward purpose and responsibility?

3. What do the bookstore and book delivery mean to Carl at this point?

   • Carl seems detached from the bookstore and uninterested in Schascha's task. Why do you think he continues his job despite this lack of enthusiasm?

4. What might Carl learn from Schascha's dedication and belief in her mission?

   • Schascha is willing to go the extra mile for something she believes in. How could her attitude impact Carl's view of books, people, or even his choices?

5. How can having a strong sense of purpose, like Schascha's, help us overcome indifference or obstacles in life?

   • Have you ever been in a situation where someone else's passion or belief changed your perspective? How did it affect you?

Reflection questions based on the chapter "Altruism" from The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben:

1. What is altruism, and how do animals show it?

   • Can you imagine an example from the chapter where an animal helps another without expecting anything?

2. Why do you think animals help each other?

   • Do you believe animals have emotions like kindness and empathy, or is their behavior based on survival?

3. How does the chapter change your view of animals?

   • Did any story or example in the chapter surprise you? Why?

4. Can you think of a time when you helped someone selflessly?

   • How did it make you feel, and why is kindness important?

5. What can we learn from animals about kindness and cooperation?

   • How can we apply these lessons in our daily lives?

My Good School - March 30 Summary 

A vibrant Sunday School session featuring book readings, storytelling, and thought-provoking discussions with special guests! 

Key Takeaways

📖 Readings from "The Door-to-Door Bookstore" & "The Inner Life of Animals" 
🎙️ Special guests Umesh Vyas, Ajay Singh, & Chetan Khosla shared valuable insights!
📚 Emphasized reading, storytelling, & learning communities 
📢 Updates on the My Good School Retreat & weekly newsletter 

📖 Book Readings & Discussions

📚 "The Door-to-Door Bookstore"
🔹 Continued Chapter 2 – Carl & young Schascha’s heart-warming interaction 
🔹 Carl's unique way of naming customers after literary characters 

🐾 "The Inner Life of Animals"
🔹 Fascinating insights on altruism in animals – even bacteria & vampire bats! 
🔹 Debate: Are animals truly selfless or just evolutionarily wired? 
🔹Themes of altruism, free will, and books shaping lives 

🎙️ Guest Speaker Insights

🧮 Umesh Vyas - Revolutionizing Math Education
🔹 Introduced VIPS methods: Visualization, Investigation, Play and Storytelling. 
🔹 Emphasized storytelling, play, and discovery to make math engaging 
🔹 Open to collaboration for innovative math learning approaches 

📚 Ajay Singh - Importance of Reading Habits
🔹 Advocated for teachers as readers to inspire students 
🔹 Started a teacher reading club with plans for expansion 
🔹 Appreciated the learning atmosphere of Sunday School 

🧘 Chetan Khosla - Altruism & Selflessness
🔹 Shared insights from the Advaita tradition on true selflessness 
🔹 Believes selfishness vs. unselfishness stems from a false identity 
🔹 Found vampire bats' altruism fascinating! 
🔹 Encouraged storytelling as a leadership skill & more sharing opportunities 

🏫 My Good School Updates

🌳 Upcoming retreat at Arthur Foot Academy (April 11-14) 
📩 Growing readership of the Good Schools of India newsletter 
🎥 YouTube channel expanding storytelling & reflections 

✅ Next Steps

📅 Prepare for the April Retreat – excitement builds!
📖 Next Sunday School: Guru Nanak Stories 
🤝 Explore collaboration with Umesh Vyas for math education 
📝 Encourage reflections from participants for publication 

🌟 My Good School – Where Learning is Fun & Meaningful! 🌟 💡📚🎉

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!