| Sairam All! The topic for the SSSE Group 4 class on Dec 8 was “Row Row Row Your Boat”. The class was taught by Girija. The class was based on a quote from Swami’s discourse on May 21, 1990, part of Summer Showers and our curriculum this year. “Unlike in the case of worldly matters, you cannot understand what is happening in the spiritual domain or what the Divine plans are. Therefore, if you go on discharging your duties and obligations in the proper manner with enthusiasm and joy, that itself will confer bliss on you. Don’t worry about the future. Don’t brood over the past. All are passing clouds only.” We used a metaphor to understand and internalize Swami’s assurance that bliss will be conferred upon us if we discharge our duties and obligations properly with joy. The metaphor was the nursery rhyme Row Row Row your boat. The idea for the metaphor was triggered by a talk by the motivational speaker Dr Wayne Dyer in the late 1990s. Several bhajans also ask Swami to tide the boat which is our life across – “Jeevan Naiyya Par Lagao” and “Naiyya Hamari Par Lagao” and “Par karo mere jeevan naiyya”. Each line in the rhyme was interpreted in the context of Swami’s quote – the first line says constantly row (Go on doing your duties) but also row your and NOT someone else’s boat – don’t meddle in others’ businesses. Second line suggests rowing gently, down the stream NOT up the stream (in the proper manner). Third line says merrily multiple times – same as discharging duties with joy and enthusiasm. Final line says Life is but a dream – just like we do not brood over past dreams or worry about future dreams, we accept Swami’s direction to not worry about the past or future because just like a dream, everything will pass.
In the second half of the class, we talked about what these responsibilities are, at their age, since responsibilities change at different stages of life. We classified our responsibilities into four categories – Duties to self (mind, body and soul), duties at home (family), duties at school or work, duties to the society. The children were divided into four groups. Each group was assigned one category. They were asked to think about examples of duties in their category, what it means to them to do these duties properly OR what they consider is improper, challenges they face in discharging these duties and practical tips they can share on how to overcome the challenges and do their duties in the proper manner with joy and enthusiasm. Some of the responses were very impressive and showed a highly evolved sense of responsibility – even though all of them initially said that they hadn’t seriously thought about any of the duties or right or wrong way to do them etc. We discussed each team’s perspective and added others for each class of duties. We also discussed some common challenges that we face in doing our duties such as – lack of prioritization, lack of planning or focus, inability to say “No”. We discussed some common “proper” means of doing one’s duties across the categories such as – implement the five Human Values in all our actions, be courteous, punctual and show respect to others. Sairam Parents –
Thank You! – Group 4 Teachers. Jai Sai Ram! |
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