Ions of Karma

 In Basic Chemistry  courses we all must have learnt about cation and anion. Formation of negative and positive charged atom. Where in ground state all the atoms are neutral. Only through exchange of electron, a process of ionization - removal or gaining of electron on outer most shell of electronic configuration of an atom , brings ion. Many of the atom are either found in ionic form or they combine with eachother to form a compound. 

Now, Just look at this two words

ACTION and INACTION

and read them like , Act - Ion and Inact - Ion.

from outer behavior of human life, either of the Ion would be seen.  and yoga asks us to come to this natural state without getting affected and still doing electronic game of life. 

There is lot more into subject of Act - Ion and Inact- Ion, but right now just this much to ponder upon.

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.

  

why it comes to me?

In life we meet many coincidences, some we take for granted, few we feel lucky about, few we ignore and very few we cherish. When some coincidences keeps on happening with you again and again, we start wondering. Wednesday late night, it happen again.

I handed over rickshaw fare to driver. He took out change from his change bag near steering wheel. As soon as coin came out, my eyes were glowing. I knew this is the similar special coin, I am going to get another one. Heart was jumping on getting the coin in hand.

Above picture was taken on 3rd February when I had fifth coin from 'National Integration' series. 

Four different year of minting. After that, I have got two more coins. 

NATIONAL - INTEGRATION

National Integration, a phrase made of two words. Some strange but long association with the word I am having from past many years and may be from life. I knew the phrase in hindi, marathi and gujarati but in english came across the phrase 10 years ago. When I participated in All India Youth Came for National Integration. Participants and Facilitators from 13+ states of India. Learning, exploring and living together for 9 days in serene environment of Puducherry. A place where strong proponent of Nationalism, Sri Aurobindo spent half of his life in doing intense sadhana. 

During camp, we had one round of problems and solution for National Integration. Where different people got various chits and they had to share their views. Topic varied from ancient architecture, scripture, languages, current problems of pollution-population-terrorism-etc. I had got question on 'National Integration'. How to achieve National Integration? 

For many year the chit on which question was written were in my wallet. I don't know exactly why i had kept it and for how many years? I still might have it folded in partition of old wallet. There is something within which resonates and jumps up, when i hear about national integration. 

Since I lived little conscious life, I have memories of writing my first poem on Kargil War. While selecting stream in college after Xth examination or attempting for NCC after 12th. From selecting a career path, one thing was always there. Service to Nation. In my heart and mind, concept of service remains with much refine and better sense now. credit goes to The Master again.

Relation with nation might be from previous life or this one only or may be all this can be sheer coincidences of life. As they say what you think about you attract them more. I doubt they are mere coincidences. 

As a learner, one thing i am certain that there is still lots of work needs to be done. many misconceptions and ideas are prevalent among people, which requires fresh & true meaning. Even though one tries and work out a plan, execute with diligence to remove it, No big change will happen. Can't achieve National Integration with outward mechanical solutions. True and lasting change will only come when consciousness gets change. That's what Sri Aurobindo has told and I have a firm believe and trust on it. And change of consciousness always begins first from oneself, from within. Than it will spread outwards naturally when right time will come. 

line and curve in stories of life

"There is a meaning in each line and curve."

- Sri Aurobindo, Savitri, P.460

Today, February First marks six month being out of Job. Last six month spent in Exploring world through various lenses and finding a life.

31^st July 2018 was a last day in The Polymath School. Farewell has been a touchy thing. Specially when you have deep rooted connections. To organize simple task of putting cake and begin celebration, no one was coming forward and passing games were on. At the end, one has to stand and order, get oneself doing few part.

There are and will remain many stories around sudden move of mine. Leaving a established job, work, students, friends and many more. Especially when you been to USA tour for school purpose just a month back. Let all versions of stories remain with their respective speakers and listener. What I want to share today are two things – first and foremost questions and few pointers which lead to Resignation and early exit. Secondly, answering another question. What I am up to, now?

Why?

 It's been six months and many people still ask this questions. My answers are various stories, different each time either with all facts or few facts & rest. Sharing this also give me sense of clarity and way to share curent and next move. 

Questions and Pointer

1.      Are you under influence?

2.      What do you want to do?

3.      You say, I will do it in 2020 or from 2022 onwards. Why not now? Go for that Now.

4.      Going back to the root [words are altered here and put in more positive tone.  J ]

5.      Watching Marathi Movie, ‘Bucket-List’ (Madhuri Dixit’s first Marathi movie) [final seal on resignation letter, came after watching it.]

We are always under the influence of various forces of Nature. It is a Nature - human, animal, earth and others which acts in and through us most of time. Very few have a control, rest of us are always under some influence.  

-         What is meant by ‘sincere’?

-         Sincerity means to accept the Divine Influence only and not that of lower forces. – Sri Aurobindo (CWSA-29)

In simple terms I found that we are either influenced by Fear, Love and in between them.

Last six month went behind experimenting and finding what one wants. What are the things which affects and influence this being.

And what I wanted to start or do and live from 2022, when I will reach age of 35. I will be consecrating at the feet of The Master on his 150^th Birth anniversary. I intend to start and try to live from now onwards.

So, what is that... second part of sharing thus begins. Still all is in its very primitive stage. What I am sharing is few basic where about and work.

1.     Pause to the work of ‘School of Universal Life’ (S.O.U.L.) may be for a whole year. It is a pause till emergence of better program and formation of few things.

2.     Being Part of community living. Lovingly called Anahad – beyond limits. Here its location details, for those who are inquisitive to know more about what we are doing and other things please mail on jiyomatiry@gmail.com or call.

3.     Few project work in Mumbai as well support to few individual & organization will go on for a year or two.

But most importantly a base for all above is living a life. Life as one should – connected with Self, with nature and living from within. Goal is a transition from Teacher-Facilitator to Aacharya.

At the end of six months, here I am.

Filled with stories of past, its various versions heard and unheard.  With full of possibility in present and future to draw lines and curve, by connecting dots, weaving yet another stories. Looking back each line and curve holds a deeper meaning, moving somewhere. Now what is require is to see next connecting dot and next connecting dot and others are in direction of progress or not?

Eti Shubham

[Ref: http://sasp.collaboration.org/individual.html ]

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)

Goddess Laxmi, economics, me & practices - Part 2

Continuation....(part 1)

Can we study and put few concepts of economics in our life? How wonderful it will become.
Currently just running a race, accepting things in its very crude way. Just floating, without personalizing or internalizing.

Can Economics be studied through mythology and history?
Can Economics be studied and practice from Great Legends life - from all walks, all stature of life?

Let's go from near to far,

Inspired to core

I was inspired by few people and their life. Except very few, I never met them. Just read about that. Not in books of economics but in textbooks of our language course.

let me share about one person, one idea and my story.

It must be in 9th or 10th standard Gujarati, first language textbook of Maharashtra Board, year 2001. Interview of Ila Bhatt, gandhian, founder of SEWA. 

What attracted me and I wanted to practice was idea of minimalism. How she had tried to live a whole month in very less amount. This idea used to run a lot. Always try to calculate things from this point.
It was after my Master, during almost every job interview. In final rounds, when they want to confirm and discuss about salary. My mind used to work on those minimalist life and how much money requires only considering Present.

Obviously, I used to get selected. May be because of this low demand of money. It has still continue but with lot much change and view.

This practice has continued till now.

One more story

How about checking your psychological (emotional and mental) state during following moments.
1- When you are at receiving end of big amount
2- When you are at receiving end of amount which is lesser than you expected
3- When you have to give something precious and near
4- When you have to give something at very low price.

Check.. this practice of reflecting, observing and introspection.

Last 4 years, I am reading and trying to put some elements of sacred economics (also known as gift economics).
I have found even though we want to offer it, mind is ready.. there are parts within, thoughts around which captivates. They are not yet fully ready, mind still calculates, heart still wants to cling. One needs to work internally. Need to find the root and solve from that level only.

Unwisely expectations are harmful for human life and world.
and for Divine life, one need to offer all ones expectation. Drop all expectation till the time, one offers all, is contented in whatever comes whether riches, diamond, palace or bowl, water and rice, tent.

There are many stories, which comes to my mind right now.

From mythology - whether its comparison between Goddess Laxmi and Goddess Saraswati or Goddess Laxmi with God Vishnu. Trying to find out who is big, powerful?

To the stories of saint poet - Kabir & His son Kamala, Narsinh Mehta

Stories of Pilgrimage, stories of Chachaji (Sri Surendra Nath Jauharji) and many more.

Stories of countries, innovators, Visionary and many more

Process

As I write this piece, I feel more connected & centered within.
Putting things in practice makes it more clear, base principal more strong.
One gains more understanding of core principal.

I feel a strong need to truly understand forces of money, Mahalaxmi. based upon our nature and aim, set down few principal. On which we can lead our life.

Deep Observation, bringing light to every corner.

Before writing, I had noted down few points and made an outline for the article. As i started writing, many changes, new and much refiner thoughts came in.

Most importantly, just following on few principal of sacred economics, I see a change.
Program which I wanted to offer in 2015 based upon gift economy and its failure.
To current programs, skepticism in 2018 is much lesser. More faith and less attachment.
Specially, when you are working in Education field.

Current Practice

One can not sale ones learning. I rather love to share them freely with all. I surrender to universe and offer all work at her feet.


PART 1

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

Need and Time

After writing yesterday's portion on learning style, today some sharing and reflections took place at friends place. One word which drew more attention was need. Finding learners need of learning, what learner must have or must do to become knower, doer in its most perfect way.{ Grateful to the teacher who asked few questions on my previous article. Without which could not have went little deeper into this word and it's aspect. Also grateful to srila di and the yoga institute for exercise on need, want and desire.}

One of the question which came to my mind was, does need has a tense?
Here are few random, unorganised chains of thoughts on answer of above question.

In simple terms..
Needs are always in a present.
Leaving apart need of breathing, eating, sleeping, and others such general ones. Needs can not be in past or of future.

I looked into dictionary. It says need is a verb with two different ways of knowing.
Something one must have or something one must do.

Needs are of two types, one which is constant and every moment/day one has to fulfilled it. Another which changes as per the development and cyclic nature of growth/person. Means in summer you feel a need to make yourself cool. But in winter same need is completely opposite in nature.
Need is nothing much but a bare minimum necessity. We as human crossed the bridge and made it two crowded , where we mixed need and wants..

Need is taken as a verb, except as common noun. As per business dictionary, need is a motivational force that compels action for its satisfaction. Needs are finite and wants are boundless.
Needs can be of necessities ,basic survival (should be called living) and those created by human per say social, intellectual and cultural, can be called necessaries. Still without few necessaries need one can live healthy, safe life.

Talking in learner need, it is a necessary point of development which learner wants to move ahead.

Needs are define primarily in present moment.. moment needs starts defining in future, as must have or must do... It becomes very easy to turn and sleep into demands, wants, desire..

There is something call developmental need. Like chile as it develop, at different stages it will require different sets of things. If one makes a progression graph of such need, it will mostly linear in nature. In terms of wants progression graphs keeps on growing even after satisfaction of it,some time quite exponentially.

What I really require? My basic needs to live a life on this beautiful earth.

Learner, need and style

On Saturday, I paused while writing the blog post on style of teaching and learning.

Today, little more insights, an understanding has been developed on same ground.

Before diving deep into the topic
some process and purpose needs to be stated in terms of education, teaching and learning.

In very simple words there is a person who feels a need to know, do, develop for own progress so one can do something more better or do something which never done before, know something little better. To be able to participate in worldly affairs. And list can go on from knowing things within to knowing things without.

In this process there is a learner, who has a need. And someone or something who is able to help in fulfilling the need. This someone or something , can be friend, teacher, mother, father, book, songs, movie, experience..

Unlike taking both the strand (learner and learner supporter /teacher/others) together for this part, we will take learner in our center.

A process of pause and listening is a first thing to be done. Listening here stands for observing and finding , hearing those parts.
What we going to pause and listen is real need of learner.
This pausing and listening can be done by learner himself or herself, in consultation and guidance. In case of small children  the Parent can do pausing and listening. (Here small children taken are below 10 and maximum age allowed is18, that to progressively keeping child invovle in the process and giving freedom. Some might get wise by age of 14 too and may be before.) It's a role of parent to find real need of a learner and not to impose some demands as per own, society or any other agency.

Needs of learning is what needs to kept at center.
To meet this need learner has to take certain steps, put ones hand, heart and head into it. In simple word use whole body, mind , intellectual complex system fir this learning.
What we have seen style is some outer behaviour and ways.
When we work in the world, whole of our life... It's not that we only use one sense or one particular part.

When I am accessing information and knowledge, it's all sense.. through all sense only an integral picture can be made. Some sense will work predominently while few in dorment. With activities it can be different.

Finding out predominent style of Learning. Then people defend and give as much as possible information to instruction to knowledge through that style only.
This sounds like, if I am visual learner I will use eyes more than the ear.
Is it possible?
Such lope sided attempt builds and slowly brings disharmony.

Knowing ones predominent style is good. But should not be made a case for a learner in terms of not developing and using other ways of learning. Rather focus can be refinining and making instruments better in all domain. Such should be our approach. Mastering one side will easily lead to master others too.  If practiced sincerly, one can develop more.

Many time it has been seen finding such learning style give another fancy of working in one direction and trying that method absolute on other. Interest of learner also has some stack in it. Learner might not have got that sense of need completely. So much that learner can identify a right support who can help in fulfilling those needs. Whether it can be teacher or a book ot a video or internship.
If learner doesnt have a choice to select support to fulfill need, learner mind should always keep higher end of aim, the need. Also other in any ways not suggest about or disrespect learner support. Not to tell that such teacher or books are useless and degrading talk. If learner finds such things , tries to find a way, change the support or develop such capacity through which it can adapt the teaching style. Asking someone else to change is much more difficult and expect other to change. It's easy to change oneself. Here to one is not actually changing ones style just enhancing less predominent style or using them more. Which eventually going to produce better result and develops learner into much better learner.

In short we, learner, parent, teacher need to come out of mindset that only and only through this way I can learn something. Finding style is good but macking it exclusive is not. Rather one can work in direction of improvement holistically. Sense development and awareness through body program are such things which can help learner to become better adapter to learning in different forms and style.

PS: at the end quenching the need of learning is the goal. One cannot give away learning from some very knowledgeable or experience person just because it doesn't match or doesn't cater to our learning style.
I haven't done editing and reading thrice this time.. if any mistakes , pls help..

Link of next post , teaching style
Style vs Substance in education http://godsknow.blogspot.com/2018/09/style-vs-substance-in-education.html

Why style matters in education? Or does it really matter?

{ps: prerequisite before reading it, this topic consider person has fair bit of idea about different learning style (auditory, visual, kinesthetic and others) and teaching style (model, facilitator, lecture,etc.). If not use any of the below reference resource and read them. Thanks. You are free to read otherwise too.}

There are two main definition of the english word - style. (In hindi : शैली)

1. The way that something is done, built, etc.
2. The shape, fashion or design of something.

Now when we put this word along with Learning and Teaching. We can derive few meaning out of it. Each tells whether it is static or dynamic, fixed constant or changeable variable. I am not going right now in details to take each combination and analyse them

In general, few believes are prevalent in education domain, specially in today's time. They are,
1. When we use word learning style we generally, mostly use second definition of style, with fixed notion.
And
2. While using teaching style we generally, mostly use first definition of style and in changeable notion.

Above statement comes from general observation, few reading and research finding. (See the video given in link. Again not going into details)

But why I am suddenly talking about this? That to in short description.

I found this Learning quite amusing. Seeds of it is quite old. While current root lies in one month yoga course.

On first day of our course, during  orientation we were told there's going to be many teachers. Some time two to three teacher for same areas. Each with their unique style.
That's hard fact for any institute, school, university. Every individual going to be unique. Teachers, professors are not a machine robots which can produce same thing.

As a student, I tried to adopt and adjust all learning style appropriate for that particular teacher to best (and some time low too) of my capabilities.
It was interesting mix of things.

But in those few days what I show as a student and conversation with fellow student. As well past observation of teacher and student. I develop little more understanding about life and education. It posed few questions too.

I found we have somewhere got caught in our own believes about our style and capability. Our mindset has restricted us. Also as a system, on one hand we are telling teachers to change style of teaching, differentiated learning and so on.. but same thing we don't tell to student who can actually get more benefit by doing so. (In terms of development). We label student (it's happening at many places) or start comparing student with student, teacher with another teacher. To a certain extent that parent and even other teacher don't hesitate to tell to their children, your teacher doesnt know 'how to teach?' ' your teacher is third class teacher .' and many such phrases and sentences.

At same time, providing a child with learning style most dominant or preference base, really helps that child. In life, at work scenario at many other learning and development level can we keep on creating, catering to those style. And if you don't find such occasion and teacher which suits your learning style, then what will you do?

What are we doing?

Again a big question, here I would like to take a pause..
I would like to take a pause for two reason.
1.
Bring down a level down and present questions, understanding in smaller chunk... While maintaining that interconnectedness.
2. I have already presented something which many have tried, challenged and proved by research, a kind of myth we have generated on learning style.

Also, you might to read again or watch the video.
As above write up is kind of summary and next steps..

Reference resources:
https://www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/557687/

https://blog.cognifit.com/teaching-styles/amp/

Multiple intelligence by Howard Gardner

https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/5-types-of-classroom-teaching-styles/
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/rhubarb/fingerprints-learning-styles.html

https://youtu.be/855Now8h5Rs
(Must watch...)

Images front tes.com and internet sources.

Back to school, as a student

27th july 2018
Day of leaving school as a teacher is coming near. I have resigned and they have finalized the day and date - Tuesday, 31st July 2018.
Many things are playing withing mind. Shall I tell student about my leaving. When I will hand over various things to others, things (areas)I used to look after.
What next yoga course, extension in school or work or something else.
Heart is convinced to go for yoga course. Basic inquiry has been done.

I went to school in a school T-shirt. Instead of taking class, I allowed teachers to take the lead. I pretended almost whole day as a student. New admission. Except class with younger kids, kg2 and grade 1 kids.  It was fun to be like student. Real student kept on bringing and catching me at every nook and corner when I acted as teacher or found at place teacher goes.

30 and 31st July 2018
Game went on, I pretended most of the time as a student. Switching the role between student and teacher, wherever I liked and found necessary. They also enjoyed along. Few student of 4th and 5th grade wanted to take advantage. They started acting and tempting me to come out of the role.
I am just pretending. Can't really be a student, specially of their age group. Still it is a worth to try and find.

1st August 2018
I woke up early, around 4am. I have to get ready to reach the yoga institute by 9am and before that go home, collect documents and fee receipt. I left bhiwandi house around 5.10am. on good ground by 7.30am I was at goregaon. Took little bit rest, collected documents and left the place to reach Santacruz.
Dot 9am I am at the institute. It took a longer time to complete all formality, I was getting impatient. Classes will being by 10am. I waited. It's 10.45am and still no sign. I went to concern person and told, hope my class will not get miss. Can I go and attend the class. She agreed and I am in the class now.

First class itself set the tone and brought a new light which I was seeking. A much needed thing and it came.
Finally, I am a student again.
Going to be student for a month now.
I was waiting for this moment since March 2016, when I had registered and paid fees for this course. At that time, I followed the different call. Time was not ripen to attend this course in 2016. Time has come now and looking forward for wonderful learning.
At the end of a day, still in exahlated state. Out of three class two became special. One by the director of the institute, smt. Hansaji. And another a class on patanjali yoga sutra by vandana ma'am.

What is yoga?
A question with multiple answer, multi dimensional. Conscious and unconscious seeking of nature.

I will try to write more on learning, experiences and whatever else comes up.

Happy on being a student again. That's what I shared in introduction round too.

Till yesterday, I was a teacher in school and today, now I am a student among you.

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 

 

What I listen is, what I want to listen.

Yesterday night, mind started dwelling on possible topic for writing short paragraph. As mind dwell on option, few others came to join party. Soon, clashes began and continuity broken. No topic went further than link up of more than three thoughts. Why? Other thoughts of topic didn’t allowed chain to continue and grow. Before links were made between thoughts on single topic, either a thought of new topic popped up or argument against that topic. Before situation get out of my hand, I tried to paused and relaxed. After few minutes they again started moving around mind freely, with more intensity. I postponed the task itself on tomorrow. Slowly they died and only thing left is question somewhere hidden in mind, I have to write on something?

After an hour, while surfing television channel I came across DD Girnar [local Gujarati channel]. Swamiji from Swaminarayan Sect was speaking on some topic. In his address, something touched me. Essence of His saying or rather explanation of some text was simple. Here is a brief version, as I remembered, “… Problem of human life is not of current but from the past centuries and millenniums it is there. So many saints and Scripture came and went away. Some are still there, but we don’t listen to them.  Forget about listening to other and changing. Human don’t listen to their own voices. How can one expect one to listen sage and scripture. Can Change happen by listening to sages and scripture when one doesn’t listen to one’s own voices. It is mistake if I think that by listening to me I am going to change you or going to make difference in your life. In fact you listen according to what is there within you. ...”

That last sentence rang the bell in me. Thoughts started pouring and soon, I sat with pad and pen to jot them down. [! This time instead of typing, I went for writing.] I began…

Many times I wonder about working of our senses! Its way of working is complex and different from other parts and system of human machine. Whole process sounds too complex to me now. All other system is circulatory in nature, in and out, in some movement. Most of those activities happen unconsciously. While working of the senses is neither cyclic nor happens fully consciously with 100% purity, compare to common perception. Also our emotions, natural habits, previous images and experience along with other factors play a vital role in process. [! I have edited from second line onwards for final write up.]

At this point, I remembered by Master Sri Aurobindo and one of his article ‘The Training of Senses’ as part of his writing on ‘A System of National Education’. I decided to read it next day.[link of article]

Then mind was again clattered with thoughts on different senses and which one to select for illustration. Even though I had begun with listening, here came up an option and selection was to stick to old plan.

I further wrote this quote:

“What I listen is, what I want to listen.”

After that another two paragraph about process involved in listening. I am not sharing that, as it is incoherent. Also, after reading article of master, I found more depth and figured out why I have inclination to it. You can guess that. Here is a hint from Sri Aurobindo’s text.

“…This is a preliminary process of Yoga and was effected in our ancient system by various means, but would be considered out of place in a modern system of education.

It is clear, therefore, that unless we revert to our old Indian system in some of its principles, we must be content to allow this source of disturbance to remain. A really national system of education would not allow itself to be controlled by European ideas in this all-important matter. And there is a process so simple and momentous that it can easily be made a part of our system…”

 Eti Shubham

Caught up in the web

Scene 1:

“Vaibhav Bhaiyya, sujal wants a mobile like mine but in lower price range. Will you search on internet and we will order for him.” Supervisor of housekeeping team told while entering into school computer lab. I nodded with a smile to them, gave them chairs and turned screen towards all of us to being our search. Whole pandora's box was out there, variety of choices and options to select from. I asked few basic questions related to specification and he gave me details about what kind of mobile he is looking to buy.

After 30 minutes of tireless surfing on different web-portals, we were confused which model to buy. Each one with little bit of difference in their specifications and prices. Tired of our efforts sujal told me, bhaiyya you select one best for me. I blindly selected one and placed the order for him. He was initially happy when he received his consignment, but soon that faded away as he came to know about some fault in mobile which we had not paid attention while selecting and ordering.

Scene 2:

“Hey brother, Do you know name of that Indian off-spinner from southern India, who does commentary now a days?” Someone asked me in a party. As i answered in negative, face of that person turned up like he is telling me ‘disgusting man, you don’t know even that!’ He turned to someone else, and after round of same question, everyone was puzzled. To solve this mystery one from the group took out his mobile and google it to know.

As this episode got over, soon another began. ‘who is Aakash Ambani, out of this two?’ Ohh, i forgot to tell you IPL 8 final is going on!

Isn’t this a regular trend in our homes, offices, parties, gatherings, schools and colleges. How much time our attention goes in such mindless searches or overburden of information, like our whole life depends upon them. In knowing  who is Mayweather and Pacquiao, price of iPhone to i20, son of ambani and girlfriend of timberlake, latest movie of Salman Khan and where our prime minister Narendra Modi is? From knowing rate of currency to flights, new deals on amazon and flipkart, following twitter and cricbuzz.

Even this much informations are not enough, on top we have subjective informations in forms of news & views in information age. Hey wait! what is this subjective information? Ohh, see whenever we attach motives, our feelings, our mental state or interest with information it becomes subjective. For example, whether Salman Khan is good Human being or not? Modi’s recent comment during trip is national shame or not? and so on, instead of plain information it always contains colors. Thus, they are the most dangerous among all. As they have more deeper penetration, our attention goes to it most easily and it hampers our intellect, decision making skill and unknowingly our thoughts are moulded by them. Information provider can use deceptive ways to pass on views through information that appeals you most. We are consuming on an average 20-100 information approximately on weekly basis, that to not with consent and being aware of them. Mostly all those information are so appealing [in novelty, colors, contrast, size, change, intensity and clarity] and bombarded repetitively that it never fails to bring our attention to them. With visual effects, catchy tunes & words and voice modulation they appeal so much to ignite feelings in us. Falling in this trap, we stop thinking independently and keep on judging people, things and circumstances through those lenses.

Objective information, like those of scene 1 only puts us into dilemma of selection. If by fault, we missed something in rush of time and flush of information, leads to lesser satisfaction of service. we condemn ourselves and others for it. Good part is that we at least have a will of paying attention to those information or not. Even though exercising our will sounds difficult in era of advertising and marketing. At the end choice is ours, will is ours. We can train our mind and find a simple solutions for filtering objective information. While we can’t say as above in regards to subjective information, they are subtle and superior. Let’s see how?

In this flood of informations, we come across all sorts of thoughts and ideas through subjective once too. Tainted by glasses through which writer or speaker has put before us. Sometime just for sake of opposing something or wanting to appear cool, they produce baseless and useless statements and arguments. And we blindly follow them. Not only just listening to their thoughts and ideas but also making their ideas ours too. Why we do that? because thinking is difficult task. Second, It is flood of information, we forget things too easily and those news changes so rapidly that mind is not able to give time to digest them. To Put those thoughts and ideas to Highest tribunal of our Intellect for knowing good or bad for self. Also those thoughts which had disappeared in flood of informations, are actually stored somewhere in subconscious mind. Making us vulnerable to amplified strikes to mind when similar kind of information comes to mind. Third, we have not train our mind to really think. Fourth, Those thoughts and ideas has come from a people whom we believe are successful and at top position in their field. Hence, their views appears more appealing because we too want success and happiness. Here we forget that they might be best and at top position in their field but it doesn’t mean that they are happy and successful in all aspects of life. Slowly without realising we start taking hints from views and ideas shared by them. Living life as they have told, wanting and doing things under spell of those thoughts. This is the general pattern, from very young age we listen to them. What a danger! instead of listening to our own voices, we slowly start listening to them.  

Now question to ask ourselves are, whether we or rather I would like to continue looking through that lenses or not? What information are good for me and what not? Whether to pay any heed to those information or not? Do I have a choice? and Strong enough will power with discrimination for selecting what is right for me? and all those questions which are going to follow as a consequence.  

Everyone has to take his/her decision here.

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”

This were the words of The Lord Buddha. Whether to Follow on this line of thought or not is also up to us.

Incase we want to follow it, we need to find a way and time to put forth our reason and common sense before believing to those information. How to do that is a big question? Our attention goes to them so easily and lucratively that it becomes difficult to select. Following are few points for beginners [they had helped me and I pray & wish same for others too.]

1 - To observe our own thinking and thoughts, if possible record them.

2 -To ask simple question, why i endorse so and so things. Is it because someone famous has said, it is written in those books/newspaper/magazine/scriptures or i truly feel it and think it. If you can put your mind on work and calmly note down thoughts in favor as well as thoughts in against. Similarly feelings in favours and in against and actions with their consequences. This will help to clarify whether we are independent in our thinking or we just follow what others are saying and doing.

3 - Becoming silent and trying to listen to inner voice. Believing in self and working from that confidence.

4 - Those who like to go for mediation, they can meditate upon single thought and try to remain on them without getting attached. As mind becomes still and clear, we can see from where those thought had came and where it went.

Remember still & calm mind, with awareness of present is most helpful than those which contains chunks of information and gets easily distracted & disturbed. Specially for my student friends, follow any methods and curtail down your attention seeking information. This will help you not only save your time but mental energy too. That will help you to do your study with more focus. As key of success is not in knowing more amount of information but in span of attention or concentration.

Before I close, here are few quotations for you.

“What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention, and a need to allocate that attention efficiently among the overabundance of information sources that might consume it.”1 - Herbert Simon

“The Information Age refers to the idea that access to and the control of information is the defining characteristic of this current era in human civilization.”2

"The printing press, the computer, and television are not therefore simply machines which convey information. They are metaphors through which we conceptualize reality in one way or another. They will classify the world for us, sequence it, frame it, enlarge it, reduce it, and argue a case for what it is like. Through these media metaphors, we do not see the world as it is. We see it as our coding systems are. Such is the power of the form of information."3

“The youth of India should learn to think on all subjects, to think independently, fruitfully, going to the heart of the things, not stopped by their surface, free of prejudgement,.." -Sri Aurobindo, On the importance of Original Thinking, Essays Divine and Human, p-43.

1Herbert Simon, Computers, Communications and the Public Interest, pages 40-41, Martin Greenberger, ed., The Johns Hopkins Press, 1971. [Source: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Information]

2http://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/Information-Age

3 Postman, Teaching as a Conserving Activity (1979), p. 39