Helping those in Trouble

Step 1 : “Firstly, sit in a comfortable position on your chairs, or cross legged on the floor. Make sure your back is straight and head is upright. Take a deep breath and relax as you breathe out. Take another deep breath… and another…”

Step 2 : “Be aware of the five senses: the smell of the air in the room, the taste of the water in your mouth, the firmness of the ground under your feet and the touch of the air on the skin. Now close your eyes to avoid the distraction of seeing the things around and hear the sounds in the room. (Pause a minute or two). Hear the sounds outside the room. Let your hearing stretch out as far as you can.”

Step 3 : “Now become aware of your breathing. Take a deep breath, filling your lungs. Then in your own time, breathe out slowly. Let your eyes be gently closed and, as you breathe in, imagine clean healing energy is entering your body, filling you with happiness, love and peace. As you breathe out, imagine any uncomfortable feelings you have, such as sadness, tiredness, anger, annoyance, fear, boredom, jealousy or any other, being breathed out, leaving you feeling happy and free from worries. Repeat this 3 or 4 times. One by one, the things that upset you are breathed out and drift away.”

Step 4 : Think of a time this week when you have helped someone… Have you helped someone at home? Have you helped someone at school?
Have you helped someone somewhere else…
How did you feel helping?
Give yourself a pat on the back for doing the right thing.

Step 5 : “Now bring your attention back to the classroom, open your eyes and stretch, as the exercise has finished. Smile at the person next to you and tell them the date and time.”

(After these silent sitting exercises students may wish to share their experiences and this should be encouraged, especially asking how they feel. It is a good time to do some creative work such as drawing a picture of their experience.)

Adapted from ‘Sathya Sai Education in Human Values’, Published by BISSE Limited