What is nature? It is the sun, moon, stars, trees, plants, flowers, rivers, mountains etc. Close your eyes and see these things in your mind. How lovely nature is! There is so much peace and joy in it!

Story

What happened to the trees?

Suresh loved to watch TV all the time. Although he had many toys to play with and a big garden to run around, all that he did was to sit with his eyes glued to the TV set. His mother tried to arouse his interest in other things but in vain. His father who was a gardener, would try to get him to help in the garden, but he would only run back into the house and switch on the TV again.

His parents were really worried about him. The more they tried to stop him, the more gloomy and morose he would get. He loved watching violent films in which the heroes waved swords or show guns. He thought that was real fun.

One afternoon, Suresh’s father who had been working all day in garden, came indoors. He saw that Suresh was as usual sitting and watching the TV. Getting annoyed with his son’s lazy behaviour, he switched off the TV and asked Suresh to go outside. At that time Suresh had been watching a violent movie. Angry that his father had put off the TV, he picked up a sharp knife and ran out into the garden. Pretending to be the hero of the violent movie that he had just been watching, he lashed out with his knife, cutting all the flowers and plants in the garden. He even stabbed the trunks of the small plantain trees that his father had so lovingly planted. His poor parents helplessly watched the scene from the window. After some discussion, they came up with a plan to improve their son’s behaviour.

Suresh’s father went up to him and told him that as it was Saturday afternoon, he wanted to take him for a drive. He took him on a long drive to a beautiful wood that was full of trees and flowers. Butterflies and birds flew all over the place. Suresh loved the wood. He ran all around happily chasing the butterflies, sniffing at the flowers and hugging the tall trees. He was really enjoying the company of Mother Nature. After some time, his father told him that it was time for them to go back home. Suresh did not want to go but agreed reluctantly.

His father drove for some time and then stopped the car at a wide open spot that looked like a barren desert. Nothing grew there… only stumps of trees can be seen. Suresh was shocked to see such a barren land. The contrast between the two places was too much for him. “What happened to all the trees and flowers,” he asked his father in an anguished voice. His father gently put his arms around his shoulder and said, “My son, this land was once a lovely wood like the other one we have just visited. But over the years, greedy men cut down all the trees. As a result it is now a barren land.” On hearing this, the little boy began to think of his own garden back home. He thought how awful it would be if everything was cut down. He felt sorry for what he had done in his anger. When they returned home, the boy asked his father if he would allow him to help in the garden. He forgot all about the television. He had seen real beauty in the wood and now he wanted to be a part of it.

Suresh was a changed boy now. He started taking interest in his studies. He used all his spare time in his garden; planting, weeding and watering. He spent much less time in front of the television. And do you know what happened? He had a lot more fun.

Story

Faith

Kiran was the only son of his parents. He was obedient and well behaved at home and school. He won the love of his elders and teachers by his gentle behaviour and pleasing manners.

Though only 10 years old, Kiran took a keen interest in what his parents did. His father was a very honest person and his mother was deeply devoted to God and kind and helpful to the needy. Kiran loved his parents and was proud of them. But he always wondered why they gave so much attention and importance to God. Now and then he would ask his mother, “Ma, why should Pitaji go to Shivji’s temple every Sunday for the satsangh? What do you gain by meditation with closed eyes every morning and night? Why do you do that endless puja with manthras and prayers to Durga Devi every day?

Kiran’s mother would only smile in reply. She would silently pray: “Durga-Ma, Kiran is ignorant but innocent. Please bless him with faith and devotion.”

One evening, when Kiran returned home from school, his neighbours gave him a shocking news.His father had met with an accident and was lying unconscious in the hospital since morning. As Kiran was rushing out to the hospital, his eyes fell on the idol of Durga Devi beautifully decorated with flowers by his mother. He had heard his mother say often that Durga Ma is the mother of all living beings and she is all powerful.

With folded hands and tears in his eyes, Kiran came near the idol and prayed” Durga Ma, you know that I cannot live without my father. Please save his life.” As he bowed down, he picked up a red flower from the deity’s feet and left.

Very soon Kiran was by his father’s side. He was on the point of crying as he saw his father lying unconscious.But when he looked at his mother, all his fear and anxiety vanished. Closing her eyes, she sat deeply absorbed in meditation and prayer. Kiran saw a soft glow of peace and confidence on her face. He softly whispered to her: “Ma, I have brought this flower from Durga-Ma’s lotus feet for father.” As she opened her eyes, Kiran put the red flower on his father’s forehead.

Kiran’s father soon showed signs of slowly regaining consciousness. The doctors who came to check him said “He is out of danger. He is saved.” Kiran’s prayers along with that of his mother, had been answered.

Kiran learnt a great lesson from this experience. His father, who returned home from hospital after a month, saw a remarkable change in his son. Kiran would join his mother in meditation and even help her in puja during his holidays. Now and then he would go with his father to the temple too. When school studies were over, he would read simple books on the life of holy men like Vivekananda, Gautam Buddha.

Kiran had now realised that faith, devotion and prayer have healing power. They fill our hearts with hope,Strength and courage. They put us on the right path and fill our hearts with peace, contentment and joy.

Sloka

• Sarva mangala mangalye, Shive sarvarta sadhike
• Sarva mangala mangalye, Shive sarvarta sadhike

Activity

• Write a prayer of your own

Story

GOD IS AT THE WINDOW

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm.

He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target.

Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner…

As he was walking back he saw Grandma’s pet duck.

Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved!

In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his Sister watching! Sunita had seen it all,but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, ‘Sunita, let’s wash the dishes’

After lunch the next day Grandma said, ‘Sunita, let’s wash the dishes’

But Sunita said, ‘Grandma, Ajay told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.’

Then she whispered to him, “Remember the duck?’ So Ajay did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, ‘I’m sorry but I need Sunita to help make supper.’

Sunita just smiled and said, ‘well that’s all right because Ajay told me he wanted to help?

She whispered again, ‘Remember the duck?’ So Sunita went fishing and Ajay stayed to help.

After several days of Ajay doing both his chores and Sunita’s; he finally couldn’t stand it any longer.

He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.

Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, ‘Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the windowand I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sunita make a slave of you.’

Thought for the day and every day thereafter:

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done…? (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred,anger, bitterness, etc…)…whatever it is_..You need to know that:God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing.

He has seen your whole life… He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He’s just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you..

The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness;

The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness;

It is by God’s grace and mercy that we are saved.

Go ahead and make the difference in someone’s life today.

Always remember: God is at the window!

Different names of God is just like Father is called as ‘Baba’, ‘Bapu’, ‘Acchan’, ‘Appa’, and ‘Daddy’ in different languages, God is called as ‘Iswar’ by Hindus, ‘Allah’ by Muslims, ‘Almighty God’ by Christians, ‘ Ahura Mazda’ by Zorastrians and ‘Jehova’ by the Jews. All these are different names of the one Divine Father of the Universe.

We do not have many Gods. We have many forms of the One Lord, so that each of us can choose a form that we like to worship, even while loving and respecting all other forms.

Different religions in the world are pathways to the same God

So any form is sacred, be it the Om in Hinduism, the Cross in Christianity, the Crescent in Islam, The Wheel in Buddhism or any other religious symbol.

We do not love the form or the sign. We love the Lord which the form or sign stands for. We do not worship the idol. We worship the ideal in the idol.

Use of Hands in prayer in different religion

Game

God’s names

One student or group of students are asked to select different names of God for themselves. Eg Rama,Krishna, Allah, Jesus, Buddha and so on. The first group say Rama starts the game.

They will say,
Rama , Rama (all students will clap twice)
Rama , Krishna
Now the Krishna group says
Krishna, Krishna (clap , clap)
Krishna , Allah
Then the Allah group takes over and so on

silent sitting

• Describe the qualities of GOD

Story

Eat when you are alone

One day a teacher was taking a class. The day’s lesson was on God. The teacher told the children that 7 God is present everywhere. There is no place where God is not there.

The next day the teacher brought ripe bananas and distributed them to all the students. He told them to take the fruit to a lonely place and eat where no one could see them. The boys nodded and soon ran out of the classroom.

(Ask the children in the same situation where will they go and eat. Get their answers and as per their reply continue the story)

Within 15 minutes all the children had returned except one. When questioned by the teacher, each boy said that he went to a lonely place and ate banana.

After half an hour the last boy returned. The fruit was still in his hands. Everyone looked at him in surprise. The teacher asked the boy, “Why didn’t you eat your fruit?”

The boy replied, “Sir, you told us yesterday that God is present in all beings and peeps out at the word through them. When you asked me to eat the fruit in a lonely place where no one could see me, I ran to every nook and corner but I was never alone. Under the bushes, God looked at me through the tiny squirrels. Under the trees He looked at me through the birds. In the house, He looked at me through the ants and sparrows. When I went to the lake, He looked at me through the fishes and lotuses. I couldn’t find a place, where He was not present. Therefore I couldn’t eat the fruit.

The teacher was very happy with the boy who could see God everywhere. He embraced him and said,” Son, you are correct. God watches us through all the beings. So when you have to eat or drink anything first offer the food to Him and then eat it as His Prasad.”

God is present in each and every atom of universe. Explain sugar water experiment.
What has God created in this Universe for us?

Story

God is real

Once upon a time, there lived a king who did not believe in God. He believed that people had faith in God because their parents trained them from a very young age to be that way. He often said that if a child was never told about God, the child would never think or believe in God. The king said this because he felt that God was not real and that He was just the imagination of the people.

After few years, a son was born to king. The queen died of an illness leaving the little boy to the king. The king shut the child up in a tower because he did not want the child to ever hear about God. He gave the child all the comforts. Maids and tutors took care of him and taught him everything. All of them had been warned never to mention God to the boy. The maids and tutors were faithful to the king and brought him up and taught him everything befitting a prince, but they never once mentioned God to him.

One day, when the king came to visit his son as usual, he was surprised to see the boy looking out of the window with his head bowed. When the king asked his son what he was doing, the young boy said, “Father, I am bowing to the creator.”

The king shouted for all the maids and tutors. When he questioned them, he knew from their answers that were loyal to him and had never told the boy about God.

Amazed, he asked his son, “Which creator? What creator? Who told you?” The young boy replied, “Nobody told me. Why should anyone tell me? I can see the beautiful world from my window – the mountains, the sky, the green plains, the trees, the flowers, the rivers, birds and animals. Someone must have created all this. He must be so great to be able to create such a beauty, that I am bowing to Him in love.”

The King slowly walked back, a defeated man. He had understood from his son that God is real.

Since God is everywhere, it also means that He is in every part of the world. He is in every flower and plant; He is in every drop of water; He is in music; He is in every being. He is in everything large and tiny.

This is why, in our culture everything is treated with respect. Everything is worshipped – the trees, the rivers, the mountains, the sun, the moon and the planets, birds and animals. It is not that we have many Gods, it is that we see God in everything.

Song

My God is so great, so strong & so mighty
There is nothing my God cannot do………….
The mountains are his, the rivers are his
The stars are his handicraft too (My God …).
He fashioned the trees, the wind and the seas
And painted the sky royal blue (My God is so ….)
He made us with love,
Sent straight from above.
And filled us with his wisdom too
My God is so great, so strong & so mighty
There is nothing my God cannot do…………. (3)

Game

• Putting tail on Aum

In the beginning there was only GOD. HE made a Sankalp, a resolve, “Ekoham Bahusyam” – I am One, let me be many. Instantly ‘Aum’, the original and primal sound emanated with the first creation.

Sloka

• Aumkaram Bindu Sanyuktam, Nityam Dhyayanthi Yoginah
• Kaamadam Mokshadam Chaiva Omkaraya Namo Namah

Explanation of sloka

Story

Jayadeva

Once upon a time there lived a boy Jayadeva in a place called Krishnavarta. He was a very weak, feeble,sickly child. Since he was the only child of his father, the father did all his best to improve the health ofthe child but in vain. Due to his ill health the child could not progress even in his studies or other activities.Jayadeva now grew up and was ten years old. He started going to school, but remained absent for a long time due to some illness or the other.

One day, it was the full moon day and was the day of Guru Poornima. Jayadeva went to the river for a bath. There he saw a saintly person, sitting on the bank of the river. He was chanting AUM loudly. Jayadeva was attracted by the holiness of the man and went to him. Jayadeva asked him what he was chanting and what was the benefit of it. The saint replied that it was the Mantra Raja (the king of mantras) – Aumkar. It had many benefits when chanted. Jayadeva learnt the correct method of chanting AUM and began to chant it regularly. The result was that he soon began to recover his health as it helped to improve his respiration as well as circulation of blood. It gave Jayadeva steadiness of mind too. Soon Jayadeva could concentrate on his studies as well as sports. He became very healthy and clever boy. Now he completed his education and became a young man, yet he continued to chant AUM. His life was full of happiness and success.

Activity

Writing aum in 1 minute

• Find aum and colour it.

Story

Guru Ram Dass, the fourth Sikh Guru, had several disciples. Every disciple remained busy doing his duty. One of the disciples war Arjun Dev. His particular quality was that he devotedly kept himself busy with the duty assigned to him. Ever since he became the Guru’s disciple, he was given the work of scrubbing the utensils.

Other disciples used to ask him, “Arjun Dev you are always busy in cleaning utensils, you should serve the Guru also sometimes.”

Arjun Dev replied, “This work of cleaning the utensils, I do with Guru’s orders.”

They said, “But only cleaning the utensils does not comprise the whole service. The Guru will not be pleased in this manner.”

Arjun Dev said, “I do not try to please the Guru. My duty is to obey him.”

The other disciples were quiet. They though, it was wasting time to advise him.

The time passed on. Whenever there was a sermon or religious congregation, Arjun Dev was always busy in doing his duty. Guru Ram Dass’s end neared. Every disciple thought that he had the right to succeed the Guru because he had all the qualities of service and devotion in him. The Guru had written down the ‘will’ for the announcement of his successor. The ‘will’ was to be opened after his death.

Guru Ram Dass died. Everybody was eager to hear what was written in the ‘will’ so that he might know his fortune. When the ‘will’ was opened, Arjun Dev had been declared the successor. Everyone, particularly those who had built up high hopes, were greatly surprised. Some put up a question that how was Arjun Dev made the successor even though he had no better qualities than other disciples.

The wise men said, “In the Guru’s views Arjun Dev was the only deserving successor to him.”

The disciples asked, “But he never said his prayers. He never took part in the religious discourses. He was only cleaning utensils. Nothing else did he do. Then where lies the justification in making him the successor”.

The answer was – faith and discipline are the only prime qualities.

In fact the touch stone of eligibility is one’s innate faith, absolute devotion and discipline, not his knowledge and wisdom.

Discuss with children examples of Discipline in nature – sun – sunrise and sunset, seasons, solar system. Human body – temperature (98.6 F), heartbeat, breathing etc

Game

All the kids stand in a line. When the person who is traffic police says “Green” the children run towards finish, and when he says “Red” they stop where they are. Whoever doesn’t stop is out.

Story

Great Attitude

Once a bird asked a Bee, after a continuous hard-work, you prepare the honey. But a man steals the honey. Do you not feel sad? Then the Bee replied: Never… Because a man can only steal my honey not the art of making honey..!!

Story

Each One Can Make A Difference

There was a man taking a morning walk at or the beach. He saw that along with the morning tide came hundreds of starfish and when the tide receded, they were left behind and with the morning sun rays, they would die. The tide was fresh and the starfish were alive. The man took a few steps, picked one and threw it into the water. He did that repeatedly. Right behind him there was another person who couldn’t understand what this man was doing. He caught up with him and asked, “What are you doing? There are hundreds of starfish. How many can you help? What difference does it make?” This man did not reply, took two more steps, picked up another one, threw it into the water, and said, “It makes a difference to this one.”

What difference are we making? Big or small, it does not matter. If everyone made a small difference, we’d end up with a big difference, wouldn’t we?

Power of ONE : Each of us is but one person: limited, burdened with our own cares and responsibilities. We may feel there is so much to be done, and we have so little to give. We’re usually short of everything, especially time and money.

When we leave this shore, there will still be millions of starfish stranded on the beach. Maybe we can’t change the whole world, but there isn’t one of us who can’t help change one person’s whole world. One at a time. We can make a difference.

Story

Listen to the sound of silence

There once was a farmer who discovered that he had lost his watch in the barn. It was no ordinary watch because it had sentimental value for him.

After searching high and low among the hay for a long while; he gave up and enlisted the help of a group of children playing outside the barn.

He promised them that the person who found it would be rewarded.

Hearing this, the children hurried inside the barn, went through and around the entire stack of hay but still could not find the watch. Just when the farmer was about to give up looking for his watch, a little boy went up to him and asked to be given another chance. The farmer looked at him and thought, “Why not? After all, this kid looks sincere enough.”

So the farmer sent the little boy back in the barn. After a while the little boy came out with the watch in his hand! The farmer was both happy and surprised and so he asked the boy how he succeeded where the rest had failed.

The boy replied, “I did nothing but sit on the ground and listen. In the silence, I heard the ticking of the watch and just looked for it in that direction.”

Moral

• A peaceful mind can think better than a worked up mind. Allow a few minutes of silence to your mind every day, and see, how sharply it helps you to set your life the way you expect it to be! ~ The soul always knows what to do to heal itself..The challenge is to silence the mind….