October

October 18

Mind

• What desires something

• What actually learns something

• Controls thoughts and emotions and feelings

• Consciousness 

• How you pay attention

• Process thoughts, feelings, desires, reactions

• “I really want to play video games instead of studying or doing my HATS homework”

Intelligence

• What you “think of”

• Mental capacity of something that you know

• What helps learn things

• Ability to learn, understand, reason, solve problems

• “I know how to finish this homework quickly, I know how much time I can spend on my game”

Intellect

• What controls the mind

• Capacity to learn

• Makes decisions

• Ability to discern, evaluate, make thoughtful judgements

• “I can finish my hw first then play game” 

• “Is the game the priority or requirement right now?”

Mind = “I want to do something”

Intelligence = “I can figure out how to do it”

Intellect = “Should I do it?”

“Just because you CAN do something, doesn’t always mean you SHOULD” 

1st internal enemy: DESIRE – KAAMA

• Most dangerous internal enemy

• The first one that triggers the other internal enemies or general actions

• Starts the spiral of the other internal enemies

• Not always bad

• Need desire to also do good things

• Desire also can relate to: 

  • Reputation

  • Being a better person

  • Attraction

  • Feeling important

  • Emotions

  • Acceptance

  • Belonging

  • Friendships & relationships

  • Safety

  • Popularity

  • Being right

  • Happiness

  • Love

  • Respect

  • Pride

  • Freedom

  • Equality

  • Health

  • Wealth

  • Fame

  • Religion

  • Perception

  • Power

  • Success

  • Strength

  • Revenge

  • Values

  • Being better

  • Growth

  • Winning

  • Showing off

Examples of Desire

• Games

• Sweets

• Food

• Drinks

• Sports

• Money

• Vacation

• Devices

• Sleep

• Freedom

• Free time

• Rest

• Relationships

Actions based on Desire

• Laziness

• Wasting time

• Sleeping

• Recreation

• Lie

• Show off

• Requesting

• Rushing

• Helping others

• Productivity

• Working towards goal

• Talking/conversing

• Thinking

• Collaborating/connecting

• Stealing

Result of actions 

• Sugar rush

• Getting sick

• Injuries

• Happiness

• Satisfaction

• Delusion

• Excitement

• Respect

• Greed

• Jail/Punishment

• Fame/Recognition

• Change in reputation

• Getting in trouble

• Becoming better

• Guilt

• Belonging

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Success

• Achievements

• Awards

• Pride

• Ego

• Jealousy

• Anger

• Suspicion

Desire is a very unique internal enemy

Desire is not the problem

Desire is NEUTRAL

Homework: 

• Two personal examples - DESIRE: One positive, one negative

• Chapter 14: ANGER

October 11

Today we discussed the reading assigned from the previous week, which was on chapter 12, Six Internal Enemies. The class pointed out all six internal enemies, which are Desire, Anger, Greed, Delusional, Ego, and Jealousy, and collectively discussed what makes something an internal enemy. One of the main takeaways includes the fact that something stops being an internal enemy once a person stops caring. A classic example that was pointed out in relation to today’s topic, was social media. The students stated that social media can trigger certain internal enemies, but they quickly learned that much of it is fake/curated. They established the point that their perspective snd intent matters greatly, and is an essential factor in driving change and defeating internal enemies. 

The homework assigned includes reading Chapter 13: Desire, and looking up the difference between mind, intellect, and intelligence (if not accomplished last week). 

October 4

The students discussed the meaning of Dharma and split into groups to talk about two roles they have in their lives and what their Dharma is for those roles. Further elaborating on the homework from last week, a large portion of the class was spent on breaking down the image on pg.14 of their books, which showcases a chariot. Within the picture, multiple aspects were broken down and explained, such as the chariot, senses, mind, intellect, body, and atma, and later, it was shown how they all relate to each other. A monumental moment of the Bhagavad Gita was essentially depicted in a way that the students could not only learn the symbolism in the image, but also understand ways to apply the knowledge in their own lives. 

The homework for next week includes reading chapter 12, Six Internal Enemies, and looking up differences between intellect, mind, and intelligence. 

September

September 20

Dharma 7: The first class focused on defining and distinguishing between two commonly interchanged words that make up the course title: Ideals and Values. The students learned that ideals include the "big picture", goals, ambitions, and looking up to role models, while values are the beliefs, traits, and actions we live by. The students collaborated in pointing out many positive values such as honesty, nonviolence, fairness, etc. One of the key ideas delivered through this class was that values alone are not enough; it is following Dharma that leads us to the right path, as there is clear evidence through stories like the Ramayana and Mahabharata where many with great values go down the wrong path. 

The homework assigned for next week is to ask a parents/guardian what Dharma means to them (not the same as "religion).