C3STREAM Land Designs

~ Saranya, Kethsiyaal, Poovizhi, Arun Kumar, Sri Bhavani

This team activity takes place every Saturday. We come together and work as a team. Our team consists of people from different backgrounds, including software, hardware, Shifuians, B.Voc students, and STEM land.

We have formed teams of six members, each assigned to a specific area to clean. Our designated cleaning area was located opposite our office. While working together, we planned to clear a certain section of grass from the ground. By following our plan, we successfully completed the task. When we shared a common goal and worked in sync, we were able to stay focused, clean efficiently, and enjoy the experience of collaborating with teammates from different fields.

This activity helped us connect with new people and become more involved in organizational activities.

After cleaning, we returned all the tools to their designated places. It felt good to take responsibility.

Reflections and observation:

Saranya:

My name is Saranya and I deeply care about perseverance and happiness for myself and others. When I work with people from different teams, I see new possibilities. It helps me become more available to others and makes me more approachable. This experience strengthens team unity.

Kethsiyaal:

 My name is Kethsiyaal, I stand for kindness and wisdom for myself and others. I see Collaboration & Team Spirit while working on removing unwanted grass as together on a common task fosters teamwork, strengthens relationships among colleagues, and creates a shared sense of achievement.

Poovizhi:

Every Saturday, our team spends one hour doing a group activity. We do gardening, cleaning, or repair work on our campus. This helps us stay active, work together with team members from different areas, and keep our campus clean and beautiful.

Last time, we enjoyed spinach for lunch that we harvested from our own garden. It tasted really good! Growing our own food made us appreciate the effort behind it, and we felt happy to eat something fresh and natural.

These activities help us connect with nature, even though we are engineers working on software and layout design. It also gives us a break from screens and helps us work together in a different way. We learn new things, have fun, and feel a sense of satisfaction in improving our surroundings.

Arun: 

Working in the garden taught me the importance of teamwork and helping each other. Clearing grass, adding compost, and making beds became easy when we shared the work. I learned that patience and effort give good results, and even small help matters. Working together gave me joy and made our bond stronger. This experience showed me that with understanding and support, we can do any work better.

Sribhavani:

My name is Sri Bhavani. I stand for Love and Equality for myself and others.

As part of new initiatives this year, everyone in our organization has stepped forward to support and create gardens around our campus. Every Saturday, we take part in this activity to make our campus greener with trees and plants. This also gives team members an opportunity to work together collaboratively. From this activity, I can see that I am the change I wish to see when I work with my team. And also I remembered the RTL tool all the professions have their own value and impact.

-SandhiyaBala, Sivaguru , Tamil, Durai, Ajay, Rajesh , Gunavathi, Poovizhi , SandhiyaSaravanan and Sri Bhavani

Every Tuesday morning, we have a learning session at our office. Recently, Sanjeev, our steward, invited two speakers, Aathi and Gomathi, to talk about Physical and Mental Health. Gomathi shared tips on physical health, and Aathi spoke about mental well-being. Here’s what I learned from their sessions:

From Gomathi’s Session on Physical Health

1: Early Morning Routine

Gomathi emphasized the importance of an early morning routine. She suggested waking up between 3:30 am and 4:30 am to align with the body’s natural rhythm. This practice, known as Brahma Muhurta in Ayurveda, is believed to enhance energy levels, mental clarity, and overall well-being.

2: Fasting and Detoxification

Fasting during specific lunar phases, such as the full moon and half-moon, can help detoxify the body. Gomathi explained how fasting strengthens intermittent fasting practices and improves digestion. She also recommended fasting on new moon days to reset the body and mind.

3: The Connection Between Lunar Cycles and Women’s Health

Gomathi highlighted the fascinating connection between lunar cycles and women’s menstrual cycles. She explained that both cycles are closely aligned, and paying attention to this connection can help women better understand their bodies. She also recommended taking cold water baths in the early morning to boost circulation, improve immunity, and energize the body.

Aathi’s Sessions on Mental Health

1. Self-Awareness

Aathi began her session by stressing the importance of self-awareness. He encouraged everyone to reflect on their thoughts, emotions, and actions. Understanding oneself is the first step toward achieving mental clarity and emotional balance.

2. Overcoming fear of sharing, speaking and asking questions In many of his sessions Aathi worked on letting us overcome our fear or asking questions and sharing. He asked us to let go of the self-doubt and hesitations and share freely. Most of us were too self-conscious rather than self-aware and were not able to get ourselves to do so.

3. Distinguishing Between “I Don’t Know” and “I Can’t Do”

Aathi shared a powerful insight: “I don’t know” and “I can’t do” are two very different statements. While “I don’t know” reflects a lack of knowledge, “I can’t do” often stems from self-doubt. By recognizing this difference, we can take steps to learn and grow, rather than limiting ourselves.

4: Focus and Effectiveness

Aathi concluded his session by discussing the importance of focus. He explained that our effectiveness in any task depends on our ability to immerse ourselves fully in what we do. When we lose ourselves in the process, we not only perform better but also find greater satisfaction in our work.

The sessions by Gomathi and Aathi were incredibly insightful and reminded us of the importance of good physical and mental health. By adopting these practices, we can lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. I took these lessons to heart and make small, consistent changes to improve our overall well-being.

Reflection:

My name is Sandhiya Bala Anand, and I stand for courage, care, and happiness for myself and others.

My Experience After the Session:

After the session, I decided to try some of the tips:

1. I started waking up early and eating light food in the evening before 7 pm to help with digestion.
2. I began fasting in the morning for a short time. It felt refreshing and gave me more energy.
3. I tried cold water baths but had a runny nose, so I mixed hot and cold water. After waiting for 10 minutes for the waters to mix, I took the bath, and it felt much better.

These small changes are helping me feel healthier and more focused. I am excited to continue these practices and see more improvements in my life

Among the insights from my colleagues, people noted:

1. Three people started fasting on new moon days.
2. Three people started intermittent fasting every day
3. 1 person has switched to cold water baths early morning.
4. Two people noted that they see that my effectiveness is dependent on my ability to focus and have improved focus
5. Two people noted catching themselves not distinguishing between I can’t do and I don’t know.
6. People also noted that their impact is proportional to my ability to care.

My name is Ajay, and I stand for self-awareness for myself and others. From the sessions with Aadi and Gomathi, I have learned to differentiate between what I can’t do and what I don’t know. I have been practicing waking up early without an alarm. Initially, taking a bath in cold water made me catch a cold, but as days passed, I became more comfortable with it. I noticed that it felt quite refreshing compared to bathing in hot water.

My name is Duraisamy Pandurangan, and I stand for dignity, wisdom, and freedom for myself and others. From the sessions with Aadi and Gomathi, practicing intermittent fasting has helped me improve my health. Their motivational speech about each person striving to earn 10,000 crores—not just in money but in generosity and heart to support others—has deeply inspired me.

My name is Tamil, I sand for Courage and compassion for myself and others. Spending time with Aadi and Gomathi taught me something important—I now understand the difference between things I cannot do and things I have not learned yet. This helps me see challenges differently. I have been trying to wake up early without using an alarm. At first, it was hard, but now it is getting easier. I also started taking cold showers. In the beginning, I caught a cold, but after a few days, my body got used to it. Now, I feel fresh and energetic after a cold shower, even more than after a hot water.

These small changes have helped me grow. The more I try new things, the more I learn.

My name is Rajesh, and I stand for care and integrity for myself and others. During this session, I realized that while I have always been aware of the benefits of bathing in cold water, my comfort zone has kept me from practicing it regularly. This pattern extends to other areas of my life, where comfort sometimes makes me casual, affecting my actions and habits.

The discussion on eating habits also resonated with me. It emphasized the importance of mindful eating, including the significance of fasting to allow the body to heal and reset, and consuming fruits, as they provide essential nutrients and natural energy. This session made me reflect on how small yet powerful lifestyle changes can positively impact health and discipline.

My name is Sivaguruprasath, and I stand for courage, full-potential and equanimity for myself and for others. The session on Physical and Mental Health was insightful, highlighting the importance of balancing both aspects for overall well-being. Gomathi’s emphasis on an early morning routine and fasting for detoxification made me reflect on healthier daily habits. Aathi’s distinction between “I don’t know” and “I can’t do” was eye-opening, encouraging a growth mindset. The discussion on focus and effectiveness reinforced the need for mindfulness in work and life. These lessons remind me that small, consistent changes can lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

My name is SandhiyaSaravanan. I stand for progress, happiness, and love for myself and others. It has been a good opportunity and a beneficial session. I have started taking cold showers, eating fruits and nuts in the morning, and trying intermittent fasting. I can feel the difference.

My name is Gunavathi i stand for happiness for myself and others . Through this session, I have learned to stabilize my mental and physical health. When I followed their fasting method and spent time in moonlight during the full moon, I could feel the changes in my body. Even though I was aware that bathing in cold water is good for health, I didn’t do it because I was stuck in my comfort zone. Nowadays, I am getting out of my comfort zone for my health.

My name is Poovizhi ,I stand for equality and equity for myself and others during the sessions with Aadhi I learnt to belive in myself and the potential of mine is more than what I think or I have limited to myself. During the session I have learnt to say things that I don’t know as I don’t know without hesitation. I have also learnt that moon is connected with women and also the benefits of fasting, cold water bath and waking up early morning. I am an own I can stay awake late night but I can not wake up early. I attempted to wake up one day at 4 and did my work I actually felt that the day was longer and energetic. But I am not able to continue it. I need to work on that. I have started fasting in the mornings and now it is about a month and I am able to continue that. I feel good and I have also learnt that our ancestors have done things for a reason but now we have forgotten the purpose and just following the rituals without knowing the purpose.

My name is Sri Bhavani, and I stand for love and equality for myself and others. From Aadhi and Gomathi’s session, I learned about the connection between nature, the human body, and healing. I also learned the benefits of fasting and have started practicing it a couple of days each month. This session helped me become more self-aware of what I know and what I still need to learn. I was inspired by their session and have incorporated a few habits into my routine. I acknowledge Sanjeev for his care and commitment to the team’s health and well-being. I will use it in my life.

-Sivaguru, Sandhiya Bala, Sribhavani, Preethi R, Preethi P, Andreas, Aarthi, Patchaiyappan, Nithya Sandhosh, Ilakiya and Durai

One of our core values is responsibility. This includes taking responsibility for our life and health. Many of us decided to participate in the Auroville Marathon event. While most of us participated in a 10k run, Prem did a half marathon (21 km). Some of us prepared leading to the event a few others did a bit of a warm-up for a week leading up to the challenge. Here are our reflections.

The Auroville Marathon was held on Sunday, 18^th February 2024. In addition to the marathon and half marathon, a 10k run is available. It is one of the largest and most popular running events in India, with participants from all parts of India which is publicized by past runners through word of mouth or blogs like this.

The event is non-commercial and organized purely for the joy of running. It considers all the finishers as winners.

This year our team participated in the marathon. For that, our steward Sanjeev Ranganathan encouraged us to be physically fit to do the push-ups and sit-ups during the morning meeting every day for a week before the run. This helped us to stretch ourselves as physically fit. It helped us to complete the marathon without any physical injuries.

Here are the few reflections from our team members,

Sivaguruprasath:

My name is Sivaguruprasath, and I stand for courage, full potential, and equanimity for myself and others. I noticed that I could challenge my thought of “I can’t do it,” and I ran with perseverance. I completed the run, and it was an unforgettable moment that filled me with happiness.

Preethi R:

My name is Preethi. I stand for courage and kindness for myself and others. It was a nice experience for me to be part of this year marathon. It was not just about reaching the finish line but also about learning more about myself. When the race started, I felt excited and full of energy. But as the kilometres passed, I realized that running a long distance is not just about speed, it’s about patience and endurance. At some points, I felt tired and wanted to stop. My mind kept telling me to keep going, step by step. This made me realize that I can push through challenges if I stay determined. Another thing I learned is the power of motivation. Seeing other runners and hearing cheers from people along the way gave me energy. It reminded me that support from others makes a big difference. When I crossed the finish line, I felt proud and it was a great experience for me.

Andreas:

When participating at the 15^th Auroville Marathon I ran a 21km Half Marathon for the first time. The starting time, route markings and nutrition stations were well placed. I am happy with my time of 1h 55min. It was nice to see many parts of Auroville while running on different roads and paths with everything was lit by the sunrise. Even though I was sweating a lot and keeping up the pace was really exhausting, I really enjoyed the run. The finish was also nice with included snacks and breakfast, and the professional stretching was helpful. Coming together with all others to dance and have fun after the run was also nice. Overall, a great event, in my opinion.

Bhavani:

My name is Sri Bhavani. I stand for Love and Equality for myself. In this Auroville marathon, I was able to notice my level of perseverance and courage while finishing the marathon of 10km. This event created an opportunity for the people who are dedicated to sports, youths, elderly people, and children. I was inspired by one of the participants who is a senior citizen and a woman. I see courage in her to finish the run. I learned 2 important things. One is there is no age to do sports and another one is, when I cannot take a big action for the change, at least I can do minimal action for the change I wish to see.

SandhiyaBala:

My name is Sandhiya Bala, and I stand for courage, care, and happiness for myself and others. Participating in this year’s marathon has been a challenging yet enriching experience. It has helped me recognize my capabilities, pushing me beyond my limits while teaching me the importance of self-discipline and perseverance. Through this journey, I have gained a deeper understanding of how to take care of my health, maintain a proper diet, and build endurance. This experience has strengthened my physical fitness and reinforced the power of determination and mindful self-care in achieving my goals.

Nithya Santhosh:

My name is Nithyasandhosh. I deeply care about kindness and equality for myself and others. Recently, I participated in a 25K marathon, which was an incredible and inspiring experience. I was truly impressed by the organizing team and their ability to manage such a large-scale event with efficiency and dedication. I see the quality and full potential and responsibility.

It was amazing to see so many people from different states in India come together to participate. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm, unity, and a spirit of equality, as everyone encouraged and motivated each other. Every 3 kilometres, there were well-organized stalls providing electrolytes, water, fruits, and other essentials to keep the runners energized.

This marathon was a celebration of determination, teamwork, and perseverance. It reminded me of the power of community and the importance of pushing our limits while supporting one another. I look forward to participating again and inspiring more people to take part in such enriching experiences.

Ilakiya:

My name is Ilakya Arasi. I stand for kindness and courage for myself and others. From the Marathon, I learnt that I could be my own companion that could encourage me to reach my destination. I noticed that I can inspire myself, I can always drive myself to the end point.

Aarthi:

My name is Aarthi, I stand for equality, integrity and perseverance for myself and others. It is my first time to participate in the Auroville marathon.  when I was running l like the environment around me, the nature, encouraging people, that boost my energy to run fast. Once I completed the marathon, I do not have energy but the environment motivated to dance and enjoy. It was a memorable day for me. Really it was a joyful running. Everyone cared and supported others. Thank you for all.

Preethi P:

My name is Preethi P I stand for courage and happiness for myself and others. It was my first marathon and it was a very super experience for me to run 10 km.it was not about who has to finish first it’s about the joy of running and I learned about my capacity and about myself. When I started to run I felt more energetic and I think that it is very easy to pass 10 km , as I passed half kilometres, I felt I had no energy to complete and I think that I have to quit but when I saw the elder ones running behind me it  motivated me to run and I learnt more patience and self confidence. At the finishing line other people cheering the runners and it gives me energy and I feel proud and it is a new experience for me to be a part of the marathon.

Patchaiyappan:
My name is Patchaiyappan. I stand for peace for myself and others. this marathon I participated in 21 km running. it was the second time for 21km running, and I was more excited at the starting time, running among the jungle it was make so happy for my mind and also it helped me notice what is my strength and how much capacity i am having without doing prior practice. The volunteers supported as well for me. finishing point they wear for us medal it felt me satisfied.

Duraisamy Pandurangan :

My name is Duraisamy Pandurangan. I deeply care about dignity, wisdom, and freedom. I participated in a 10km marathon without shoes. It was really hard to complete, but the perseverance and determination within me drove me to finish. Many participants encouraged me during the difficult parts of the run, which showed the humanity and support of others. Finishing the marathon gave me a sense of energy and fulfillment.

-SandhiyaBala, Sivaguru, Ajay, Sribhavani, Ajai.D, Nithya Santhosh, Ilakiya , Meganathan and Preethi

In February, during Auroville Week, Muthukumari and her team organized a 6-day Integral Yoga session from 8 to 9 AM. Our team participated and learned the importance of concentration and meditation.

Day 1:

Referencing CWSA – Letters on Yoga – II-Book II – The Synthetic Method of the Integral Yoga Sadhana through Concentration, Meditation and Japa.

The power of the Gayatri is the Light of the Divine Truth. It is a mantra of Knowledge.

The Gayatri mantra is the mantra for bringing the light of Truth into all the planes of the being.

Held at Unity Pavillion, Auroville, as the space vibrated with the power and energy of the Chant, the ambience was soulful, peaceful, and a collective concentration that was unifying.

Day 2:

“The voice that chants to the creator Fire,

The symbolled OM, the great assenting Word,

The bridge between the rapture and the calm…

Savitri, p.310

“The Adoration of the Divine Mother”

Narad (Richard Eggenberger), a longtime member of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville is a musician, poet, landscaper, horticulturist, and gardener.

When he was 23, he came to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and had his first darshan of the Mother, who made him an ashramite and gave him permission to teach music in the ashram school. Mother also gave him the task of bringing down “the new music.”

After more than four decades of listening to thousands of works of music, seeking the new music everywhere, and singing, Narad had the insight that the new music was to descend in a collective body one body with many tones, opening in surrender and aspiration.

OM choirs, have brought a new kind of conscious music to the Ashram, Auroville, and many places around the world. Gathering as a group soul, a sacred body, to open ourselves to be instruments for the descent of the New Music, a music that has the power of effectuation through OM, which the Mother has called, “The signature of the Lord.”

When we sing OM its vibrations penetrate not only all countries with its healing, assisting in the transformation of the world, but enter into our bodies as well and many write of healing that has occurred and others of their visions and experiences.

A recent experience was the OM Choir at the Mother’s Flowers Garden Auroville as part of the ongoing Auroville Festival celebrations.

Reference, _In India’s languages, they have this OM… which is a marvel. You know what they say? That OM is the totality of the sounds of the creation perceived by the Supreme; He hears OM as a call to Him-as an idea, it’s magnificent! As a symbol, as a… Only….

And as a power! Not only as a symbol, but as a power.

For the full article please refer to the link: https://incarnateword.in/agenda/10/december-24-1969

Day 3

CWSA – Vol. 34 – Savitri – II – Note on the text

SAVITRI began as a narrative poem of moderate length based on a legend told in the Mahabharata. Sri Aurobindo considered the story to be originally “one of the many symbolic myths of the Vedic cycle”. Bringing out its symbolism and charging it progressively with his own spiritual vision, he turned Savitri into the epic it is today.

By the time it was published, some passages had gone through dozens of drafts. Sri Aurobindo explained how he wrote the poem: “I used Savitri as a means of ascension. I began with it on a certain mental level, each time I could reach a higher level I rewrote from that level…. In fact Savitri has not been regarded by me as a poem to be written and finished, but as a field of experimentation to see how far poetry could be written from one’s own yogic consciousness and how that could be made creative.”

For the full text, please refer to the link below: https://incarnateword.in/cwsa/34/note-on-the-text

Auroville Festival celebrations held at Savitri Bhavan reading of Savitri led by Bhuvanasundari. Divine wisdom revealing itself to the seeker when one is open, reflects allowing for absorption of knowledge as a living wisdom.

Day-4

CWSA – Vol. 24 – The Synthesis of Yoga – II – Book II – The Yoga of Self-Perfection

The Integral Perfection

All life is a secret Yoga, an obscure growth of Nature towards the discovery and fulfilment of the divine principle hidden in her which becomes progressively less obscure, more self-conscient and luminous, more self- possessed in the human being by the opening of all his instruments of knowledge, will, action, life to the Spirit within him and in the world.

…A greater perfection can only be arrived at by a higher power entering in and taking up the whole action of the being.

At Unity Pavilion, Auroville as part of the ongoing Auroville Festival celebrations Muthukumari shared with the audience the practise of Integral Energy Healing, where one is balancing the body’s energies for holistic well-being. This was followed by Revathi facilitating a deep today nidra inviting relaxation and an inner stillness. Encouraging letting go, trust the process and allow for perfection to unfold naturally.

Day-5

aurovilleofficial Everything comes from this “need” of relaxation; and what does that mean for most men? It means, always, coming down to a lower level. They do not know that for a true relaxation one must rise one degree higher, one must rise above oneself.

If one goes down, it adds to one’s fatigue and brings a stupefaction.It is not by sinking below oneself that one removes fatigue. One must climb the ladder and there one has true rest, because one has the inner peace, the light, the universal energy. And little by little one puts oneself in touch with the truth which is the very reason of one’s existence.

If you contact that definitively, it removes completely all fatigue.

In response to a question asked to her, part of the response in the context of relaxation is shared above and for more details please visit below,: CWM – Vol. 04 – Questions and Answers (1950 – 1951) – Mon 26 February 1951

Hans, an Aurovilian at Unity Pavilion as part of the Auroville Festival celebrations facilitated a session on that Art of Chi and Relaxation.

His effort was to have one experience that true strength is fluid and adaptable and comes from within. The practise of Chi & Relaxation teaches energy flow balance, resilience through movement and breath. The awareness that strength is not force, rather a harmonious dance with life’s energies that instills humility.

Day-6

Gratitude: it is you who opens all the closed doors and lets the Grace which saves penetrate deeply. The best way to express one’s gratitude to the Divine is to feel simply happy.

For kinds of Gratitude as Detailed, Integral, and Mental refer to:

CWM – Vol. 14 – Words of the mother – II – Elements of Yoga – Gratitude and Faithfulness

Compassion and gratitude are essentially psychic virtues. They appear in the consciousness only when the psychic being takes part in active life.

It is only when the psychic consciousness is all powerful in the being that compassion for all that needs help, in whatever domain, and gratitude for all that manifests the divine presence and grace, in whatever form, are expressed in all their original and luminous purity, without mixing compassion with any trace of condescension or gratitude with any sense of inferiority.

Ref: CWM – Words of the mother – III – Letters, Messages and Other Short Written Statements – Experiences of the Mother

Dev and Jagrata, Aurovilians facilitated along with movements and breathing, took the participating audience through a gratitude meditation guiding them to open their hearts to the blessings and abundance already present.

Approaching and living life with humility we recognise the abundance that flows through every moment bringing us to live in the present moment and Auroville is one such place. One cultivates a deep sense of appreciation, the focus shifting from lack to wholesomeness.

Reflection:

My name is Ajai D, and I stand for equality for myself and others: I learnt how to increase and decrease my energy by yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises as well. 

My name is SIvaguruprasath, and I stand for Courage, full potential, and equanimity for myself and others. Joining Integral Yoga at Unity Pavilion was a deeply enriching experience, bringing harmony to my mind, body, and spirit. Chanting the Sri Aurobindo Gayatri Mantra and practicing Empowering Stillness Meditation set a profound tone of inner peace. The OM Choir and Savitri Reading connected me to higher vibrations, while Wellness Integral Energy Healing and The Art of Chi & Relaxation rejuvenated my being. Ending with Gratitude Meditation, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment and connection. This journey reminded me that true well-being arises from stillness, awareness, and gratitude.

I also feel grateful to the team for organizing a week of yoga and meditation, which was truly helpful in finding peace.

My name is Ajay, and I stand for self-awareness, for myself and others. The morning yoga at Unity Pavilion was a great experience, offering new techniques for relaxing the mind and body. The OM Choir and Savitri reading provided insights into the teachings of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo regarding the consciousness of the human body. It was different from what I usually do in yoga; typically, we do the asanas, but this time, we focused more on mind-related practices.

My name is Sandhiya Bala, and I stand for courage, care, and happiness for myself and others. The morning yoga sessions bring me stillness, help me control my anger, and relax my body. I also observe my health condition and how it changes each time. Additionally, I noticed how my energy levels increased and decreased during the session, and I notice this every day, too.

My name is Nithyasandhosh. I deeply care about kindness and equality for myself and others. I recently participated in a yoga, which was a transformative experience for me. I was truly inspired by the organizing team and their ability to manage a week-long event that included meditation, book reading, and other engaging activities.

During this journey, I learned different meditation techniques and workouts that helped me strengthen my body, improve flexibility, and maintain balance. Through meditation, I discovered how to relax my mind, stay focused on the present moment, and cultivate a deep sense of inner peace. This experience has not only benefited me but has also inspired some of my colleagues to consider joining us next time, encouraging them to prioritize their health and well-being.

My name is Ilakya Arasi, and I stand for Kindness and Courage for myself and others. From this integral yoga, I learned that there are different kinds of meditation, and each can make our mornings beautiful.

My name is Sri Bhavani. I stand for Love and Equality for myself and others. This session created an opportunity for me to experience different activities. This week, I learned to strengthen my diaphragm during choir, learned how Sri Aurobindo explained about the Divine mother in the book “Savitri,” and also attended many sessions on relaxation. This session helped me to restore my ability and efficiency.

My name is Meganathan and I stand for love and courage for myself and others.The Integral Yoga sessions offered a transformative journey, fostering inner peace, awareness, and balance. Each participant experienced unique insights, from energy control to deep meditation, strengthening both mind and body.

My name is preethi and I stand for Courage for myself and others.The Integral Yoga sessions helped us connect deeply with ourselves, enhancing mindfulness, relaxation, and well-being. Through meditation, chanting, and self-awareness practices, we discovered the power of stillness and gratitude.

~ Poovizhi

We attended a math session at Transition School with teachers from different places, including some of us from STEM Land. Sanjeev Ranganathan led the session and showed us how to connect old mathematical ideas with real-life applications. He also shared ways to make math more interesting for children.

Making Math Fun and Easy to Understand

Sanjeev talked about how math is usually taught and what we can do to make it easier for students. He explained the difference between fact-based (normal) math, which is based on real-life applications, and faith based (formal) math, which is based on assuming axioms and theorems and perfect is an unreal world. Then, we did activities that made math more engaging.

He distinguished formal mathematics from either abstraction or generalization.

There were many activities which we describe here.

Activity 1: Visual Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem

We used foam sheets to build and test the Pythagorean Theorem. By cutting and arranging pieces, we could see how the areas of two smaller squares creates the diagonal larger square. This activity helped us understand that math is not just about formulas but also about shapes and real-world applications. Looking at the kind of sizes others had selected helped us generalize without the need for formal mathematics.

Activity 2: Old definition of angles that can be measured and understood by children

With geometry we looked at the definition of the angle as a space or area between two lines and saw that it is ambiguous and does not make much sense even to us as teachers. We looked at the real definition of arc length as a ratio of the perimeter (degrees) or arc length as a ratio of radius (radian). We talked about how the geometry box was a toy that did not allow to intereact with the real world and could not measure curved lengths. We used a thread and stick/needle to make a circle and create 72 degrees as well as 1 radian.  without using a protractor, just by using the concept of radians and arc length. This activity helped us learn about angles in a fun way.

angle

India’s Contributions to Math

The session also introduced us to India’s rich history in mathematics. We learned about Baudhayan’s laws (integers), early trigonometry, and the Panchang calendar system. These ideas were used in India long before they were known in the West.

What We Learned

This session showed us that math should be learned through exploration, not just memorization. Simple materials like thread and foam sheets helped make difficult ideas easier to understand. Learning about India’s mathematical past also helped us appreciate how these ideas developed.

As teachers, this session encouraged us to use more hands-on activities in our classes. This way, students can discover math for themselves rather than just remembering formulas. Connecting history with practical learning makes math more exciting and useful.

-Sandhiya Bala, Patchaiyappan and Aarthi

On September 15th, an RTL (Radical Transformational Leadership) session was conducted for the students and teachers of NESS School in both English and Tamil. Students from grades 9 and 11 participated in the session.

It was the first time NESS School students attended an RTL session. The session began with a few minutes of meditation to help participants ground themselves, followed by an introduction to the ground rules. Sanjeev Anna facilitated the session, and students actively engaged by sharing their thoughts and insights during the plenary discussion.

One student shared that the values and fears he recognized during the activity were not new to him but had always been present—he was just noticing them consciously for the first time. Another student expressed that identifying fears made him realize they were not as overwhelming as they seemed.

Through discussions and activities, students explored their inner strengths, self-awareness, and leadership potential. Many of them found the exercises deeply reflective and meaningful and came and at the end of the session several students expressed interest in attending the full 9-day RTL session. They felt that these tools helped them gain a new perspective on themselves and their surroundings. They were also inspired by the phrase, “I am bigger than my name,” which is why we introduced myself to someone with “My name is…” This realization encouraged them to think beyond labels and recognize their true potential.

Overall, the session created an environment for deep self-reflection, encouraging students to embrace leadership with clarity and confidence.

-Sribhavani

New Initiative of Sanjeev for the year 2025 is to support children from 5^th to 8^th grade to make project and learn concepts visually by utilizing computers and technology once in a week. As part of learning, this time solving an algebraic equation was attempted in different way with the help of Polypad.

What is an algebra?

Children learned that algebra is to know the unknow values i.e. finding the unknowns.

Children know how to solve a one variable linear equation like x+5 = 8, then value of x is 3 intuitively.  But when they are writing down expression and solving the equation, they get confusion on why they are subtracting the values.

The above confusion was clarified visually when children created their own puzzles on one variable linear equation.

Children learned to create algebraic Puzzles using polypad and challenge their friends to solve their puzzles. During this session, class went interactively and everyone were involved in creating their puzzle. They learned equation as a weight balance, used one of the shape available in the tools as variable and added a few numbers in both sides of the balance to make the balance equal. And also children learned how to change the value of the variable in the puzzle.

When they are solving the puzzles, they were able to see the removal of number from both sides visually. So that they understand why they are subtracting the numbers in the equation to find the value of unknown. Children enjoyed learning with fun while creating this puzzles and challenging their friends to solve and increasing the level of difficult.

Puzzles Created By the children:

Children were able to write equation and create puzzle for the equation. Explanation of the created puzzles is below.

Star is taken as variable x. Created Equation: 4x + 16 = 40 x = 6

Square is taken as variable x. Equation: 15y = 225 Y = 15

A Few other Puzzles:

Children Solving puzzles created by their friends

Children creating Algebraic Puzzles in PolyPad

Learning Outcomes:

1. Children were able to create puzzles using polypad and were able to write an algebraic expression for the same.
2. Learned how to use authoring mode in polypad to change the value of the variables they are using.
3. Clarity in removing the values from the equation while solving.

-Ajay

Children from 6th grade at Isaiambalam School learned about proper, improper and mixed fractions through stories and visualizations using Polypad. This approach helped them easily grasp the concept and understand the importance of these fractions and their real-world applications. 

Initially, the children explored the visualization of mixed fractions in Polypad, which they found it helpful in understanding that a mixed fraction consists of both a whole and a fractional part. 

Here are some images from the mixed fraction projects using Polypad. 

They learned about equivalent fractions in class, but many children had the misconception that an equivalent fraction represents a larger quantity rather than the same amount. For example, some believed that 1/2 is less than 2/4, not realizing they are equal. Later, they used Polypad, which helped them develop a deeper understanding of the concept by visually comparing fractions. The pictures below showcase their work. 

Children presented their projects to display what they have learned, allowing others to learn from each other. This has been missing in our classes before. Now, it gives a sense of accomplishment that they want hands-on experience, engage in deeper learning and reflect about the concepts. After the presentation some children wanted to do the fraction comparison again to improve their project and their understanding.