Nov 22, 2023
Notes by Om Shreejay
Review:
Last week we practiced smiling. We can smile without a reason, without having to get something. The lesson from our story last week was to be grateful for what we take for granted. When we feel content, we give naturally.
RAW – Start a gratitude jar. Remember what you are grateful for and place it in your jar.
Story:
In a busy marketplace, a young boy named Bhima lived and he was very mischievous. He was always up to pranks. One day he was roaming around a marketplace near his home, and he saw a nice red apple. He could not take his eyes away from it, and he could not resist the urge to take it. He stole it with no one looking and walked away casually with the apple. He was proud of himself.
A moment later, he felt the weight and guilt of stealing. He had not known this feeling. He hurried away, but couldn’t shake his discomfort. As he walked, he saw an old lady sitting on a bench who looked very sad and troubled and looked as though she hadn’t eaten in days. He thought about how much his apple must mean to this woman. He decided at that moment to approach the old lady.
He admitted to the old lady that he stole the apple, but wanted to give it to her. The woman was surprised and smiled. She said, “Dear boy, how loving and thoughtful of you. You made me so happy.” Bhima smiled and knew there was one more thing he must do. He hurried back to the shopkeeper and told him shaking, “Sir, I must confess – I took your beautiful apple away today without paying for it. And as I walked away, I felt so guilty and then I saw an old lady who had nothing and who seemed to be so hungry. So I gave it to her. Please forgive me.” The shopkeeper almost gets angry with Bhima, but as he hears Bhima recount what he did in offering what he stole to the old lady, he asks him to come with him. They grabbed delicious treats from the shop and offered them to the old lady together.
Lesson from Story:
Stealing makes one guilty – this hurts us and hurts others (lose/lose). In addition to stealing objects, one can steal ideas, or can take credit for others’ work. Other examples of stealing –
1. Comparison: When we compare ourselves to others, we overlook what we have – our gifts, talents, and what we can share with others. We overlook this because we are focused on what others have and how they are better. Comparison is like stealing because the whole world would lose out on what you could have offered the world if you hadn’t compared. Comparison also makes us feel like we are not good enough and, in this way, steals our joy. It is the thief of joy.
2. Greed: Everyone deserves water but imagine if you went around collecting water and stored it for yourself. When there is a drought, you have all this water for yourself, but it really belongs to everyone and not just you. When what we have is more than what we need, and what we have really belongs to everyone, then this is also like stealing.
Activity:
As part of Prithvi Sevasanga, we have the Chinmaya “Pioneer for the Planet” Challenge on Sunday, Nov 26. Children from across the world will be presenting their ideas for sustainability. The top 3 ideas will be funded. Sign up @ https://lu.ma/prthvisevasanga
RAW:
On a piece of paper, make 2 columns – Wants and Needs. Think carefully about the things you want and the things you need and fill this out.
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Notes by Sahil Bhakta
Review:
A little boy who experienced the world differently than we do as couldn’t see and asked others to lend him a hand. He was holding a sign saying he was blind. A new passerby changed the sign to say, “It’s a beautiful day and I can’t see it. He helped others realize all the things they took for granted. They felt fortunate and they smiled and felt like giving more to this boy.
Last week RAW
Start a gratitude jar.
Story
A boy named Bhima. Bhima was in a busy marketplace. The place was vibrant with stalls and kids running around. Bhima was very mischievous. He was always up to something. His pockets were always filled with something. Bhima was eyeing a shiny red apple in this Vendor’s cart. He wanted to eat it. It was beautiful and his mouth was watering. He couldn’t resist and so he stole the apple. He slipped it into his pocket and walked away. He was excited. At the same time, he felt guilty and heavy in his chest. He has never stolen anything before. He couldn’t shake this discomfort feeling away. He was sad about his actions. All of a sudden he noticed an elderly woman who looked worried and hungry. Bhima felt sad for her and thought about the apple he had. He felt bad for the vendor he stole from but also the older lady. He went and offered the red apple to the old lady. He told the lady that he stole the apple and feels bad about it but he wanted her to have it. The old lady smiled and said that is so sweet of you and took the red apple from Bhima. Bhima returned to the vendor and told him what he had done. The shopkeeper was angry initially but happy with the boys’ decision. He asked Bhima to go with him and gather more food. Then they gave that old lady 1 week’s worth of food.
Moral
What stealing is and practice not stealing.
2 ways to avoid this:
- Practice not stealing through comparing. Stop comparing ourselves to others. We overlook what we have- what we are good at. We rob the world of the gift we have.
- Greed – just like stealing.
Raw for next week: Create 2 columns – One column of what you want and the other is what you need. Write 2-3 things you want and 2-3 things you need daily.