Frow Steeman
The call for values is currently echoing throughout every land, as educators, parents and even children are increasingly concerned about and affected by violence, growing social problems, and the lack of social cohesion. Educators are, once again, asked to address problems which have arisen within their societies. Living Values Education (LVE) is a values education program. It offers a variety of experiential values activities and practical methodologies to teachers and facilitators to enable children and young adults to explore and develop 12 key personal and social values:
Cooperation
Freedom
Happiness
Honesty
Humility
Love
Peace
Respect
Responsibility
Simplicity
Tolerance
Unity
LVE also contains special modules for use by parents and caregivers, as well as by refugees. The Refugees Module is specifically for children-affected-by-war.
Values in Focus
Love
Respect
Peace
Tolerance
Honesty
Humility
Cooperation
Freedom
Unity
In the months ahead, we'll be continuing our focus on each of the values explored by LVE, excerpting from the books selected ideas and activities on each value.Young adults may wish to explore a few of the ideas with family or friends while parents may wish to take up some of the activities with their children. And do let us know how you get on or if you've got other experiences or activities you'd like to share!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Love - Living Values Activities for Young Adults
Young adults can think about the following or do these activities alone or in cooperation with their parents or friends.
Mind Map the value of love. Let your mind flow as you write and draw out the areas which love affects.
Sending Love Relaxation/Focusing Exercise"Be a star of peace for a few minutes and send love to people all over the world . . . Think of the stars . . . They are so beautiful in the sky . . . quiet and peaceful . . . Relax your toes and legs . . . Relax your stomach . . . and your shoulders . . . Relax your arms . . . and face . . . Let the room be filled with peace . . . relax into being a beautiful little star . . . Let the tiny star inside be full of peaceful light . . . full of love. . . Let the self be full of loving energy . . . We can all send love and peace any time we want . . . Send that love to people all over the world. . . . Let the body relax . . . Take in more love . . . You are focused . . . You are contributing to a better world . . . Let the mind be still . . . And then see yourself sitting here again."Core Activity:Discuss the Reflection Point:
Love is not simply a desire, a passion, an intense feeling for one person or object, but a consciousness which is simultaneously selfless and self-fulfilling.
Discuss:
How can something be selfless and self-fulfilling at the same time?
Can we say that is true for other qualities or values? Which ones?
When do you think people experience this in their lives?
In order to send out love, it helps to be full yourself. Think about when you've felt full of love.Write about times in your life when you've experienced being full of love.Make a drawing that symbolizes love for you.Write a short letter to yourself, saying what you appreciate about yourself and giving yourself your best advice. Bring in one of the following Reflection Points or questions:
Real love ensures kindness, caring, and understanding and removes jealous and controlling behaviour.
Love is a catalyst for change, development and achievement.
What do you love in yourself?
How can people be loving and kind to themselves?
Is there anything you would recommend avoiding if you wanted to be loving to the self?
Mind Map the value of love. Let your mind flow as you write and draw out the areas which love affects.
Sending Love Relaxation/Focusing Exercise"Be a star of peace for a few minutes and send love to people all over the world . . . Think of the stars . . . They are so beautiful in the sky . . . quiet and peaceful . . . Relax your toes and legs . . . Relax your stomach . . . and your shoulders . . . Relax your arms . . . and face . . . Let the room be filled with peace . . . relax into being a beautiful little star . . . Let the tiny star inside be full of peaceful light . . . full of love. . . Let the self be full of loving energy . . . We can all send love and peace any time we want . . . Send that love to people all over the world. . . . Let the body relax . . . Take in more love . . . You are focused . . . You are contributing to a better world . . . Let the mind be still . . . And then see yourself sitting here again."Core Activity:Discuss the Reflection Point:
Love is not simply a desire, a passion, an intense feeling for one person or object, but a consciousness which is simultaneously selfless and self-fulfilling.
Discuss:
How can something be selfless and self-fulfilling at the same time?
Can we say that is true for other qualities or values? Which ones?
When do you think people experience this in their lives?
In order to send out love, it helps to be full yourself. Think about when you've felt full of love.Write about times in your life when you've experienced being full of love.Make a drawing that symbolizes love for you.Write a short letter to yourself, saying what you appreciate about yourself and giving yourself your best advice. Bring in one of the following Reflection Points or questions:
Real love ensures kindness, caring, and understanding and removes jealous and controlling behaviour.
Love is a catalyst for change, development and achievement.
What do you love in yourself?
How can people be loving and kind to themselves?
Is there anything you would recommend avoiding if you wanted to be loving to the self?
Friday, September 7, 2007
Rajyoga
This Foundation Course in Meditation is an introduction to Raja Yoga meditation. The core curriculum comprising six sessions is:
Self-realisation- develops self-awareness to realise one’s true spiritual identity.
Consciousness- examines the interplay between mind, intellect and personality.
Relationship with God- explains how God is experienced in the state of meditation.
Natural spiritual laws-knowing the law of karma enables us to choose right thoughts and actions.
Cycle of time- time is cyclical, and life is presented as an unlimited drama on the world stage.
The tree of life- the beauty of world religions is depicted through the tree of life.
Enhancing inner strength- directing spiritual power into accurate and effective responses in daily life.Principles for a spiritual lifestyle- how behaviour and lifestyle can enhance spiritual development in daily life.
One who is adorned with the jewels of spiritual knowledge can bestow happiness and peace to others.
Love is the key to open the lock of the Luck.
This is a story of how the souls, who were once deities became devotees and very ordinary human beings.The above illustration shows how human souls lost their purity and peace .So now its peak time to regain those lost virtues.
The first stage shown is the Golden age which is the ‘Satyuga‘ ,where the souls are completly pure. It was the dynasty of Shri Lakshmi and Shri Narayana which was free from all vices,sorrow and worries.The duration of this period was 1250 years and the average age was 150 years. During this period the souls were completly viceless and were full of good qualities and lived under divine law and no one would harm others. This ‘Satyuga‘ comprised of people who are considered to be a class of deities.
The next stage is the Silver age. In this Silver age , there is a small declination in the purity of souls and the people here are termed as Kshatriyas. This silver age is termed as ‘Treta Yuga’. It is the kingdom of Shri rama that is ‘Ram Rajya‘. During this peroid of 1250 years , the average age of a person varies from 100 to 125 years.
In the Copper Age, vices start to show their presence and the people become completly body conscious. This age is termed as ‘Dwapar Yuga’.So their position declines and their rank is of middle class that is the ‘Rajopradhana’ type. Here people start worshipping the dieties and the people are termed as ‘Vaishyas‘.
Now comes the ‘Kaliyuga‘, the Iron Age. In this age the vices owerpower the world so it is aslo called as ‘Ravan Rajya‘.In this stage man takes the basest form - ‘tamoguna’ .Man becomes selfish and even hurts his fellow beings for his own pleasure.He doesnt consider all his fellow beings as his brothers and sisters and doesnt shows respect to all.People are differenciated in their idealogy,religion,states,languages,etc.people are thus turned away from God , who is the Supreme Father.
At present , we are in the Confluence Age which marks the end of Kaliyuga.At this peak time period God comes in the form of ordinary man and teaches the Spiritual Knowledge and we should follow the steps teached by our Father, the Supreme Soul and we should learn and practice Rajyoga. We should just remember our relationship with our father .We always must try to leave body consciousness and be soul conscious. Then next ,the pure souls will follow the ‘Golden age’.
In the state of Raja Yoga the Raja Yogi experiences the rays of light and might or peace and bliss,descending on him and spreading through him into the whole world, thus charging the atmosphere with vibrations of purity,love and spiritual quietude.
Love is the greatest force which brings about contact,concentration and union.Love is easily transferable.A Baby’s love towards its mother,in later years,gets transferred to his playmates,then to his wife and later to his children.Now, transference of spiritual love to God is called - - ‘Yoga‘.This Yoga is easy because transference of love and thoughts does not require any austerities(difficult ecenomic conditions).Further ,this Yoga enables the soul to control the organs of the body as a king controls his subjects.So, it is called : ‘Easy Raja Yoga.’
Total dedication to God
Firm decision
Maturity of Thoughts
Satisfaction in Mind
Divine Intellect
Elevated Resolutions
Purity in Outlook
Soft and Sweet Speech
Expertise in Actions
Humility in Service
Easy going in Interactions
Brotherly Friendship
Purity of Diet
Truth in Life
Tension free Sleep
These are the God’s blessings which all should receive !
Silence is Spirituality
Silence brings Satisfaction
Silence makes you Smile
Silence is Sweetness
Silence makes you Sensible
Silence is Sincerity
Silence is Stability
Silence creates Solutions
Silence makes you Strong
Silence removes all Selfishness
Silence makes you Stress Free
Silence puts a full stop to Worries
Silence makes u sing in Happiness
Silence creates your Inner Strength
Silence makes you Serviceable
Silence makes you Sacred
Silence is having Sympathy
Silence brings Safety
Silence is Solitude
Silence is Serenity
Silence is Stillness of Mind
Silence is having Self Respect
Silence makes you Spontaneous
Silence enables you to know all Secrets of life
Self-realisation- develops self-awareness to realise one’s true spiritual identity.
Consciousness- examines the interplay between mind, intellect and personality.
Relationship with God- explains how God is experienced in the state of meditation.
Natural spiritual laws-knowing the law of karma enables us to choose right thoughts and actions.
Cycle of time- time is cyclical, and life is presented as an unlimited drama on the world stage.
The tree of life- the beauty of world religions is depicted through the tree of life.
Enhancing inner strength- directing spiritual power into accurate and effective responses in daily life.Principles for a spiritual lifestyle- how behaviour and lifestyle can enhance spiritual development in daily life.
One who is adorned with the jewels of spiritual knowledge can bestow happiness and peace to others.
Love is the key to open the lock of the Luck.
This is a story of how the souls, who were once deities became devotees and very ordinary human beings.The above illustration shows how human souls lost their purity and peace .So now its peak time to regain those lost virtues.
The first stage shown is the Golden age which is the ‘Satyuga‘ ,where the souls are completly pure. It was the dynasty of Shri Lakshmi and Shri Narayana which was free from all vices,sorrow and worries.The duration of this period was 1250 years and the average age was 150 years. During this period the souls were completly viceless and were full of good qualities and lived under divine law and no one would harm others. This ‘Satyuga‘ comprised of people who are considered to be a class of deities.
The next stage is the Silver age. In this Silver age , there is a small declination in the purity of souls and the people here are termed as Kshatriyas. This silver age is termed as ‘Treta Yuga’. It is the kingdom of Shri rama that is ‘Ram Rajya‘. During this peroid of 1250 years , the average age of a person varies from 100 to 125 years.
In the Copper Age, vices start to show their presence and the people become completly body conscious. This age is termed as ‘Dwapar Yuga’.So their position declines and their rank is of middle class that is the ‘Rajopradhana’ type. Here people start worshipping the dieties and the people are termed as ‘Vaishyas‘.
Now comes the ‘Kaliyuga‘, the Iron Age. In this age the vices owerpower the world so it is aslo called as ‘Ravan Rajya‘.In this stage man takes the basest form - ‘tamoguna’ .Man becomes selfish and even hurts his fellow beings for his own pleasure.He doesnt consider all his fellow beings as his brothers and sisters and doesnt shows respect to all.People are differenciated in their idealogy,religion,states,languages,etc.people are thus turned away from God , who is the Supreme Father.
At present , we are in the Confluence Age which marks the end of Kaliyuga.At this peak time period God comes in the form of ordinary man and teaches the Spiritual Knowledge and we should follow the steps teached by our Father, the Supreme Soul and we should learn and practice Rajyoga. We should just remember our relationship with our father .We always must try to leave body consciousness and be soul conscious. Then next ,the pure souls will follow the ‘Golden age’.
In the state of Raja Yoga the Raja Yogi experiences the rays of light and might or peace and bliss,descending on him and spreading through him into the whole world, thus charging the atmosphere with vibrations of purity,love and spiritual quietude.
Love is the greatest force which brings about contact,concentration and union.Love is easily transferable.A Baby’s love towards its mother,in later years,gets transferred to his playmates,then to his wife and later to his children.Now, transference of spiritual love to God is called - - ‘Yoga‘.This Yoga is easy because transference of love and thoughts does not require any austerities(difficult ecenomic conditions).Further ,this Yoga enables the soul to control the organs of the body as a king controls his subjects.So, it is called : ‘Easy Raja Yoga.’
Total dedication to God
Firm decision
Maturity of Thoughts
Satisfaction in Mind
Divine Intellect
Elevated Resolutions
Purity in Outlook
Soft and Sweet Speech
Expertise in Actions
Humility in Service
Easy going in Interactions
Brotherly Friendship
Purity of Diet
Truth in Life
Tension free Sleep
These are the God’s blessings which all should receive !
Silence is Spirituality
Silence brings Satisfaction
Silence makes you Smile
Silence is Sweetness
Silence makes you Sensible
Silence is Sincerity
Silence is Stability
Silence creates Solutions
Silence makes you Strong
Silence removes all Selfishness
Silence makes you Stress Free
Silence puts a full stop to Worries
Silence makes u sing in Happiness
Silence creates your Inner Strength
Silence makes you Serviceable
Silence makes you Sacred
Silence is having Sympathy
Silence brings Safety
Silence is Solitude
Silence is Serenity
Silence is Stillness of Mind
Silence is having Self Respect
Silence makes you Spontaneous
Silence enables you to know all Secrets of life
Saturday, September 1, 2007
YOGA FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health is a concept that refers to the psychological and emotional well-being of a person. Being mentally healthy generally means that you are able to use your emotional capabilities to function well in society and go through everyday life with little or no difficulty. Some factors that can affect your mental health are your family life, social life, and life at work. Having negative experiences in any of the said areas can deteriorate the condition of your mental health. Mental illnesses, on the other hand, refer to health-related conditions where a person’s mood or thinking affects his ability to work well or relate to other people. These can be classified into six categories:
Mood Disorders – These are characterized by feeling of hopelessness, changes in eating pattern, troubled sleep, chronic fatigue, and even thoughts of suicide and death. There are two major types of Mood Disorders:
Depression – a state of extreme sadness or melancholy that affects a person’s social functions
Bipolar Disorder – a mood disorder where a person alternates between states of depression and mania (very elevated mood) These symptoms or states are usually temporary, lasting for about a maximum of two weeks. If you experience them for more than two weeks, see a doctor immediately.
Anxiety Disorders – These include abnormal anxiety, phobias, and panic disorders that come unpredictably and disrupt our normal daily routines. Anxiety disorders are developed over a period of time.
Schizophrenia – This is characterized by distortions in a person’s perception of reality. A person with Schizophrenia manifests disordered thinking and usually experiences hallucinations. Of all other Mental Illnesses, this is considered as the most serious.
Eating Disorders – These are conditions that involve an obsession with food which ultimately leads to negative effects towards a person’s social life and daily activities. Eating disorders are caused by a lot of different factors ranging from genetics to media exposure.
Personality Disorders – These are characterized by abnormal and destructive thoughts, behavior, and emotional responses. People who suffer from personality disorders have a tendency to struggle in dealing with other people, mainly because of the rigidity or narrow-mindedness it brings about.
Organic Brain Disorders – These are often the result of physical brain injury or brain damage due to accidents. People with organic brain disorder often suffer from confusion and memory loss.
The Role of YogaYoga is best known for its poses or Asanas. These reach deep into the yogi’s body, massaging important internal organs. Asanas help cleanse and maintain the nervous and circulatory systems, which automatically result in a healthier body and mind. Breathing Exercises or Pranayama can also help in keeping a person healthy by supplying a fixed amount of oxygen to the muscles and internal organs. However, Yoga should not be treated as the sole remedy for mental illnesses. You should first seek assistance from a professional if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above. Yoga can only help facilitate the recovery from some dangerous side effects of these mental illnesses. It should always be accompanied by proper medication and psychological counseling.
Mood Disorders – These are characterized by feeling of hopelessness, changes in eating pattern, troubled sleep, chronic fatigue, and even thoughts of suicide and death. There are two major types of Mood Disorders:
Depression – a state of extreme sadness or melancholy that affects a person’s social functions
Bipolar Disorder – a mood disorder where a person alternates between states of depression and mania (very elevated mood) These symptoms or states are usually temporary, lasting for about a maximum of two weeks. If you experience them for more than two weeks, see a doctor immediately.
Anxiety Disorders – These include abnormal anxiety, phobias, and panic disorders that come unpredictably and disrupt our normal daily routines. Anxiety disorders are developed over a period of time.
Schizophrenia – This is characterized by distortions in a person’s perception of reality. A person with Schizophrenia manifests disordered thinking and usually experiences hallucinations. Of all other Mental Illnesses, this is considered as the most serious.
Eating Disorders – These are conditions that involve an obsession with food which ultimately leads to negative effects towards a person’s social life and daily activities. Eating disorders are caused by a lot of different factors ranging from genetics to media exposure.
Personality Disorders – These are characterized by abnormal and destructive thoughts, behavior, and emotional responses. People who suffer from personality disorders have a tendency to struggle in dealing with other people, mainly because of the rigidity or narrow-mindedness it brings about.
Organic Brain Disorders – These are often the result of physical brain injury or brain damage due to accidents. People with organic brain disorder often suffer from confusion and memory loss.
The Role of YogaYoga is best known for its poses or Asanas. These reach deep into the yogi’s body, massaging important internal organs. Asanas help cleanse and maintain the nervous and circulatory systems, which automatically result in a healthier body and mind. Breathing Exercises or Pranayama can also help in keeping a person healthy by supplying a fixed amount of oxygen to the muscles and internal organs. However, Yoga should not be treated as the sole remedy for mental illnesses. You should first seek assistance from a professional if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above. Yoga can only help facilitate the recovery from some dangerous side effects of these mental illnesses. It should always be accompanied by proper medication and psychological counseling.
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