Birth and Death

During my yoga teacher training course, Hansa Ma gave us beautiful definition of life. 

That life, which we consider happens between birth and death. In simple and short story, she said life is what happens between 'B' and 'D'. Life is something which happens between birth and death. that is generally what we know. But we forget there is a 'C' in between. C for Choices. This choices is what makes life. 

The Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry says

Life is a perpetual choice between truth and falsehood, light and darkness, progress and regression, the ascent towards the heights or a fall into the abyss. It is for each one to choose freely.

29 February 1952

On day of my birth, I have chosen and consecrate all to Parampriya. 

The 35th year of this physical existence and year 2021, I wish to work upon few things and as a practice have taken few steps. Sharing those steps below.

1. Goal and area of work - practice & development for the year can be summed up in 5 C's *
• Capacity (mainly at physical level but not limited there.)
• Collaboration 
• Creation
• Concentration, and
• Consecrate (अर्पण किया हुआ) 
2.  In process I have made a list of 108 things vaibhav would be creating in the year 2021. {even after writing 108, it seems list can go beyond 108.} To fulfill all the need of the creation, there require devotion of time and energy to lot of learning & mastering few art as well as create.
3. To fulfill above goal, I have taken a break from almost all forms of Social Media (Whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook). I wish, I could have taken some more other account deletion too but have kept them open. They are LinkedIn and Telegram. Gmail is unattached yet due to technical complications. 
4. Above social media withdrawal is also part of practice to observe some of the internal working, of whose I have got addicted to. Once 108 are done, I would be back, and in between just to test my own mental & emotional balance and time management, might appear for few days/week. but as of now, and at least for next few weeks, I am away. 
5. There are other choices which are also taking place, but its better to do them rather speak beforehand. 
6. Already collaborating with few people to create courses, material, program. If you are interested to collaborate in learning journey or want to learn along with me - drop an email on vaibhav@love2learn.xyz I will share the list and we can have conversation on how, what to build up. 

Yesterday night, I went through all melodrama of neurons and finally plunge into the virtual death for new creation. This whole experience is just amazing and every passing moment, I can see how much mind is accustom to living and dearly clings to it. How Intellect looses the power and serves the senses, making us do things which we want and we do not want.

For some of you this might look shocking, strange or silly. May that be so. 

Hope to see you here and few places more real. and May be on virtual world after gap of time.

* C - of choices and other C's is something I love. C of Carbon is second largest constituents of the body and what is left on earth after we pass away. One of the program I ran last year CiC, in which 14 people got chance to interact & learn is wholly based upon the choices and consciousness. This year, I wish to design it in collaboration with participant & make it more experiential with real projects.

  

Flip-Flop

Who wants to be flop?
You, Me or We!
No one wants to be
but its easy to slide
a downward slope.

I have an issue
which makes my attempt flop
might not  be seen
out, but very much on
in present past
so subtle now
that comes as a surprise
takes me on a ride
by the time it gets
some another tide
It seems I need to tie
myself with big anchor
some calls it sankalp
yes, that is an issue
desires moving freely
unquenched
making decisions go flip-flop
just like a hit-me-not
without a base,
topple any side
and get hit from all the sides

flip-flop
a sure sign
for making a flop
I know,
I have it.
I know,
How to deal with
but I know only.
I am trying
bringing it in Do
do-do-do-do
require a quiet a lot of strength.
I can still put a blame
on someone or on circumstances
No! I can't make more excuse
have to try out
bring in all courage to
remain stick.
no more flip-flop
do not apply a logic
as you know its a gate to flop
don't go aflot
come back and toil
ground is available
here and now

no more flip-flop
let me plough
grace will come
and harvest will shine.

-----------------------------

Written in a state of constant flip-flop going on at subtle level and manifesting at outer.
whether its money, marriage or work or simple daily task to eat or not? there is a flip-flop.
can a control, a order come in? Yes, Very much. and as one dwells, observers and work upon.
Right time, guidance comes. Here is one such source.

Puducherry Diary - Part X

After a gap of three years I went to puducherry. There were short of excitement as well as anxiety. About how things will shape up. From travelling, staying, meeting and learning. Concern , apprehensions, planning and so much of control we look. Yet.

There is always something unknown. Which we can call X of our life. In equation of life, we want to make our life equal to something. Equal to someone. 

We are given some constant like physical body, time, space and mind. Few variables which seems under our control and few which are not. All variables as well as constant seems under some influence. 

From what we know, our attempt is always to make things suitable, equal to other side of equation. Other side of our equation we want to set as per our expectation. Our projection and predictions of future. Our wish and demands from the universe for a better future.

Yet our ways to solve those linear or quadratice equation of life. Hinges on that one unknown factor X. 

Many approach work for putting a limit, differentiating each and every thing.

While few work for integrating and bringing X in.

If we would have known X.

What is this X in terms of Life?

On first two days of puducherry and one day in transition. I was setting up various equation to get the desirable outcome. 

R.H.S. = Desirable outcome = meeting friends, visiting place, doing things etc.

L.H.S. = time, space, contact details, schedule and planning

Did it ever happened everything you have set up on left hand side meets exactly like that on right hand side.

I know, answer will be NO.

Despite knowing this fact, many time we plan, worry and mind & emotions creates web for us. We tend to get caught and missed up in that web of creation.

Something similar, was happening with me too. But She was there to take hold and bring in change. All planning and scheduling thoughts were running on when I enter samadhi. It went on till I settled down at one place. And soon with Her grace, all of them also got settled and clear.

From that moment on... Many things worked out so well. Unexpected, unplanned meeting, visiting and doing... Life became more joyful and wonderful flow.

Just because the X, which generally remains unknown were known. One set whole of life based on the DIVINE PRESENCE. Which guided, and sets every equation right. 

Many time not equal to also appeared as X has set few more wonderous responses.

One need to find and then trust the X, the unknown of our life equation. Which not only solve our problem but also creates write equation of life.

21st Centuries Skills : Self - Learning

21st Centuries Skills : Self - Learning

Past few weeks most of us have seen advertisement of idea cellular's ‘IIN’, Idea Internet Network. Apart from common mistake like adding extra word like network with internet, adv tells many things. It gives us message of you can learn anything, without any constraints of social or financial or distance or learning pace. One might easily get carried away about how much people can learn and achieve. Yes, you can make -believe Indian consumers. Yes, you can sell any product in India if you have some quirky mind, loud the point voice and ability to show bigger dreams.

Never mind, I am not going to talk about advertisements and marketing here. My sole purpose is to put in front one of the unrated skill and underdeveloped skilled in India. IIN  adv. only relation with this article is pointing towards that skill, which educationalist has termed as self-learning. If any one has studied national policy documents of education, one will find high-level of importance given on developing abilities of self-learning. To quote from Yashpal Committee’s famous report ‘Learning without Burden’ of 1993

“…inadequate programmes of teacher preparation lead to unsatisfactory quality of learning in schools. The content of the programme should be restructured to ensure its relevance to the changing needs of school education. The emphasis in these programmes should be on enabling the trainees to acquire the ability for self-learning and independent thinking.”

It points importance of acquiring the ability of self-learning for teachers, so they can help children to develop the same. Not just in India, all over the world it has been kept as most essential skills of 21st century. Whether it is UNESCO or OECD, all of them have argued and made brilliant programs with lots of funding from world bank and other organization. With advent of Computers and Internet, it seems that we can achieve those target for Self-Learning. Still in reality picture is quite different. Instead of showing you a gloomy pictures and status of Self-Learning, I am showing you major problems one faces in self-learning. Problems which our education system fails to solve and we can make an attempt for solving it by understanding what is self-learning and doing self-learning.

Self-learning requires high level of motivation, a passion for learning. Passion for not just getting success and earning money but a hunger to learn, for joy of learning and to do something different. That comes when Individuals are allowed to learn what they truly want to learn or by those teacher who can inspire student to learn. How to Create and develop such an interest? Our society whose prime importance is clearing exams for success and money, will be able to provide freedom and environment where learning can take place?

Self-learning requires one to take responsibilities of one’s learning, from deciding what to learn? how to learn? when to learn? from whom to learn? and all other decision making in path of learning when you get choices. Do we [teenagers and youngsters] have a right or even say in this?

Self-learning requires better commitment, an unmatched discipline, sincerity, confidence on oneself and many other traits. Do We have such commitment and discipline within us?

- Vaibhav (27 May 2015)

Practice of the week: Meditative Origami

The week which passed by, I started a new practice.I committed to make one origami model in a day. So far I was able to make six origami model. Beginning was simple and swift. I missed one day, so next day i make it up. Today, it went little deeper and longer. Purpose behind starting this practice got fulfilled to some extent.

I started the practice of making origami model with three intentions. 

• First one is Learning & Sharing, to learn something every day.
• Second intention is to share this learning later on to others. 
• Last and most important to meditate in this new form.

Whole week, I tried to practice it and was somewhere going good. so many different things comes in.

Today, thought came why not search on youtube to make something related to yoga pose. I came across meditating buddha. Just like any other work, finding right video came up as a challenge. Many had not shown steps, few were too fast and few details, camera angle were missing. 

Finally, I came across something which was slow and provided good starting point.

(video link here.)

Challenges didn't stop here. Rest of the week, I practiced with just simple 5 to 7 minutes max video. Origami model were made within 10-15 minutes. You feel elated, once you do it. Yesterday's chair was simple. It didn't turn up well towards end. so after finishing satisfaction was very less. Almost in between I used to take it up and make some crease again, do some fold again and try to make it look perfect. After some attempt I succeeded in it. How wonderful! such small observation of movement teaches. Reflection upon this movement gave newer insight. Some of our habitual natural urge.

Today's challenge was double. 

Before landing up to the video from where I learnt and made. I had two unsuccessful attempt. 

When I began with Claudio, after 5 minute or so, I found its same model as in first attempt. The way they arrived to base structure was different and slow pace of video really helped. 

Here! mind got a chance to wonder. And in this wonder it started wandering at places. To be precise it went out thrice by the time, video reached to 11 minute. At this point, pace of hand and camera angle changed. I couldn't make out what exactly were done. What I have to do? Frustration was building up and control mechanism had started. I tried and left it. I saw video few times back, but couldn't make out. Then i left it on side. Next moment, took it again and just followed something out of head. Wow! it was happening as it should happen. Got some encouragement. One side done. Other side, again had trouble. Challenge is good, it helps to improvise. improvisation took place. Sole focus was on the hand, actually fingers were moving much faster.

Again, I tried to see video and see what next? I found some clue but couldn't find what those hands did exactly? By now mind was little calmer. So, instead of frustration it went to focus and did something.

Finally, not so perfect as shown in video. I was able to make,my first Origami Buddha. Zen Meditation.

I could not have made that perfect, as claudio is making it from last 25years and meditating with it.

It made the day amazing.

origami buddha

front view - origami buddha, zen meditation, learning practice with youtube video.

Now looking forward to next week.

Looking into past- I thank my maa, for asking me to remove unnecessary things last Sunday. What I came across was multiple photocopies and true copies of HSC marksheets and Leaving Certificate. Initially, I gave it for recycling. Soon idea strikes and I kept those paper with me. Practice began.

Teaching Style vs Substance in education

Namaste,
In past few days I wrote, talked, did and reflected a lot about education. From the need of education till the satisfaction of those needs. Learning and Teaching Style, was a topic where some more reflections took place. Started questioning the belief system, research proven work which endorse both side. Tried to see what actually matters in learning style in one of the previous blogs.
{
Links of previous posts:
Why style matters in education? Or does it really matter? http://godsknow.blogspot.com/2018/09/why-style-matters-in-education-or-does.html

Learner, need and style http://godsknow.blogspot.com/2018/09/presence-makes-difference.html
}

In this post, in short will share about teaching style. Actually there is nothing more to say. You might have just guessed it right from the title itself.

Style basically means a manner or a way in which something is done.It's a phenomenon emerging from a person's presence. Which can be recorded and put forth as a typical method.
A lecture method or discussion way or experiment or hybrid or demonstrate or delegate or whatever other names.
All can be used depending upon the nature of the subject. But demand of meeting learners style is something different altogether. That can only be meet when learner and supporter has a freedom. From teachers perspective it's more about bringing subject alive. That's only possible when one has a right knowledge of the subject. That's only possible when person has lived that subject and still humble enough to live with the young fellow learner. To dive deep and find out hidden meaning beneath. Teacher needs to bring presence of such truth , knowledge that makes style work.

We can not put one teaching style against the other. As every teaching style has its own pros and cons. So teacher need to be careful while planning the lesson.

Still, when just followed those step, as mentioned in method. To follow a particular style. Result ought not to be the same as expected emerging from the presence, a style mastered or generated by a person.

Person, in our case teacher's presence. His/her own life and living, not the level of acquisition of information but level of understanding brings the spirit in any method. Bringing this spirit, knowledge and seeking of truth into the methods makes it a style.

We cannot denounce or ridicule any method. All depends upon readiness of a learner and presence of a facilitator.

Whichever style best suits the personality. One which comes very naturally spontaneously should be the teaching style of that teacher. Should not break head and heart too much on completely changing and remodeling one style. Teacher need to be open and once a while see, try and improve skills of other teaching style without living own.

Changing a mere teaching style will not help to meet the need of the learner as well as of the teacher. Rather taking inward journey and finding ones own unique way. along with that teacher continues the search of truth, alignment of thoughts, speech and action ... Are things which will bring presence into the method..
That's the real substance , a core and not just an outer decoration of style.

To start journey of bringing substance. Here is a few task (sharing again) which can be initiated.
21-day challenge for teachers http://godsknow.blogspot.com/2018/09/21-day-challenge-for-teachers.html

Learning as a student

{Source: Google search}

As a learner life teaches us many things. Our education continues from birth to death. Every moment there is something to learn and progress to be made. Evolve into the future, into our better self. Consciously or Unconsciously we are learning. Our brain, mind, heart and body keeps on adapting and adjusting according to newer learning taking place. Sometime with our knowledge and acknowledgment, while many times without that. Life moves on. That's where a question needs to be asked "Are you learning as a student?"

What does this mean, ' learning as a student' in above context?

There are certain typical character or actions which belongs to a person who is a student. Like, student is seeking something beyond him/her. Student has a questions and seeks the answer. Student has some goal to achieve. Students wants to develop certain skills by learning from the teacher and putting them into practice. Ideal Student is sincere, attentive, aware, and so on...

When we just live our life, some of this characteristic of student are not present or present but in its lower state (can be called unconsciously present). Many unsolved problems and questions are there but in daily rut they are put aside. We can't put our 100% attention and occupy oneself only for finding answer, a difficult task.

Yet, there are few who are not just aware but consciously puts an effort to live and not just exist. When we do not just live our life (merely alive) but really live (full of awareness, joy and enthusiasm). They are student of Universe, or the life itself.

Thus asking again a question

Are you learning as a student, from the life/universe?

 

or

Does life just teaches you important lessons and you move on without learning?

PS: I started writing this blog post with intent to share my experience as a student in past 30 days (month of August 2018). I wanted to share few of the learning, feelings and much more. What I learn and found as a student at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz, Mumbai. It would have been simple if I just typed what I wrote yesterday night in diary. But this question "Are you learning as a student?" is very powerful right now for me. I hope this questions brings something to you too. If it does, do share your views/learning/experience on it. 

I hope to write down another post about the experience as a student in a day or two. Eti Shubham 

 

To Tune in - Turn

To tune into desired FM station on radio/transistor, we had to turn the knob. As slowly and masterfully you do, more better tuning. As master precision instrument you might have but you handle with rough hand, you don't get desired result. Isn't it? Haven't you experienced that? Sometime it ask for so much of patience...

Same it happens in our life.. to tune in now, to tune in with our source and access the reality, we need to turn inward. Our knob of witnessing outside things needs to turned in. As slowly and skilfully we do that, with at most patience more chance of better result.

But we are so accustomed with on going noise that we never think of tuning.  Until something strikes us, transistor stop playing in between tunes. Or something out of mind. We start looking for solution. And hands which had hardly done job of turning the knob. Start doing it without control. You can imagine what happens than???

------------------
From past few days or rather few weeks, I was getting a signal- TUNE IN.
No efforts were put in that direction. To stand, walk and turn the knob.
It was yesterday, after finishing poem..

http://godsknow.blogspot.com/2016/10/blog-post_26.html

As described in poem, exactly same way it happen.
A trouble knocked the door? and process of rolling, tuning, turning began..
Process had already begun from past two days.. but that jerk, a final hit.. made attempt desperate , erstwhile. It took time, but slowly it happen. Prayers, dialogue with diary, waiting and finally landed up here


and at the end..

.
me kya karu, me kya karu?
se
me kuch na karu me kuch na karu
e to ho raha, samay ka pahiya chal raha
me dekh rakha, ish drashya ko
me dekh raha ish karan - darshak ko

ki me.... kya kahu?

Free Progress Way in Integral Education

Free Progress Way in Integral Education

 something for trickling, raising question first.. 

In an Integral Education,

Free progress is one of the ways.

Where free stand for being free,

Free of own desires and impulses,

Free of outer view and concepts,

Free doesn’t stands here for

Doing what one like to do,

Or wants to do,

Nor about free to do anything.

It is about being free to do,

What is relevant for progress?

How we come to Know,
What is relevant for progress.

Thus it requires discipline and guidance,

To know and discover ones aim of life.

One is free for this discovery

To take up this adventure

Only and only for a progress,

Without which life is dead.

[Now in form of analogy, has to try out in poetic way later. Also keep in mind no analogy is 100% complete as after all it is an analogy not real thing itself.]

It is a way of water cycle; of a river. River knows her goal, her aim in life. She wants to achieve it. Traditionally we had been kept goal of river as meeting to ocean. But for me, at this moment it is not final and true aim of hers. Her true aim is to become nectar. She wants to help others in her course and wants to forget about herself. With this aim in mind, she begins her journey from her home in mountains. First thing she has to do is to come out of comforts and conditioned imposed by older on her. First step towards free. Yet she has to keep in mind that I have to progress, for which she accepts being in discipline and takes helps of banks. Without which she can’t move further and work for progress. Despite of all odd with this free progress she meets her goal. This is not complete she has to go for another level of freedom. Not to lose her originality, purity within. Again she aspires, with divine grace of Sun sets herself free, forms a union and comes back again for progress. She will keep on till whole of water comes to its natural state. Not of sweet and sour, not of color or shape. Completely free.

 [so much its symbolic, without pretext i doubt if anyone can understand it. hope soon i will come with proper introduction.. right now only this much.]