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 The loud and rhythmic sound of the bell ringing, galvanized the King. He hurried down the steps, across the path leading to the gate, built into the perimeter of the palace grounds. That is where the Bell of Justice was hung, for anyone who wished for justice from their fair King of the Chozha dynasty. "Who needs me so badly? Who is ringing the bell with such urgency?" Thoughts racing through his mind, the King hurried closer to towards the gate. His feet faltered and he would have fallen, when he quickly centered himself, as a King his reflexes had been sharpened by years of training, rarely did he miss a step, but he had at this moment. For what he witnessed was a wonder. No man or woman stood ringing the bell - a cow stood with tears streaming down its cheeks, and holding the rope end. ~~ This is the story of the noblest in the land That man we honor and revere Who, without fear or favor, in the great city doth stand The friend of every friendless beast, the Great Lord of...

  Video : https://youtu.be/t5ostmROJ3U  (Links to an external site.) Story 14 – The Artist - Folktale from Gujarat Taken from the Collection of Folktales by AK Ramanujam Story Based Reflection – Why do you think Saralatha’s took this mission or purpose? What is a passion of yours that doesn’t let you sleep?    ~~   Knowing IKIGAI: IKIGAI is a Japanese word that can be translated as  Iki – Life   Gai – realisation of what one hopes or expects. In other words, it is the Reason for Being . Watch this Video: Click on link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ5Srezh190  (Links to an external site.)       The Japanese believe if we are fully engaged in activities we love or enjoy doing, then we lead a life of fulfillment. This concept closely aligns with the Greek idea of Eudaimonia or the idea of a well lived life. Ikigai closely relates to the concept of “Flow” as named and explained...

  Video : https://youtu.be/LLtW6SxwnR0  (Links to an external site.)       Story 11 : The Elephant and the bird - a short fable Story Reflection Task : What does the story mean to you? How do you make sense of the size of the animals that have been chosen? What meaning does it bring to the story ~   Knowing Meaning Making : In Psychology Meaning making is the way people make sense and understand life events, relationships and self.   According to Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl (whose book Man in Search of Meaning is a must read); Meaning making is the way in which we interpret our inner world in context of the external world. He said: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Robert Kegan in his book Evolving  Self ( 1982) states that "meaning making is a life long process". It is a process of evolution, es...

 Wabi Sabi Video : https://youtu.be/eYrQXUkOVtY  (Links to an external site.)       Story 10 –The Cracked Pot - Indian Folktale Story Reflection Task: Who is the water bearer in your life? A person who sees your flaws but accepts you unconditionally. Are you a water bearer in someone else's life?   ~     Knowing Wabi Sabi :                                                                                   Forget the bells that still can ring                                                             ...

Resilience : Video : https://youtu.be/Qs3gNn8ZuJ8  (Links to an external site.)       Story 9 – Story of the Bird and the Hunter - Retold from the version The Freedom Bird by David Holt.   Story Reflection Task:  Who does the Hunter represent? In your life what or who are the Hunters (adversities) challenging you? What resources does the bird have? Imagine beyond the story to think of all the resources the bird has.   ~ Knowing Resilience: Dictionary definitions of Resilience is the ability to recover from difficult situations, toughness, also the ability (for inanimate objects) to spring back into shape. Psychologically: Resilience is having patterns of positive adaptations in the face of adversity or risks. Resilience is a way to manage stress. It refers to our ability to cope with whatever life throws at us. Some people are knocked down by challenges, but they return as a stronger person more steadfast than befor...

 Forgiveness: Video : https://youtu.be/krqvU73vRFo  (Links to an external site.) Story 8 : Crossing the Bridge of Forgiveness     Story Reflection Task : Draw a river to represent your life. Identify moments when you forgave yourself. Draw a bridge for that moment. (use one colour) Draw a bridge using a different colour for a Person you need to forgive ( there can be more than one), use a different colour for a Situation that requires your forgiving. How many bridges have you drawn, how many more do you think you need to draw? Knowing Forgiveness: Forgiveness is the conscious act or decision to let go feelings of resentment or vengeance towards an individual or a group that has harmed you, regardless of whether they deserve it or not. Dr. Robert Enright from the University of Wisconsin-Madison initiated Forgiveness studies and set up the International Forgiveness Institute. He developed a 20-step process for Forgiven...

 Character Strengths & Virtues Video - https://youtu.be/-aCKzuIGp2g  (Links to an external site.) Story 7– The Boy and the Star Fish     Story Reflection Task: What do you think is the greatest strength of the Young Boy?   VIRTUES: Virtues is considered as the quality of being morally good. The word Virtue comes from the Latin root of Virtus, which refers to all the excellent qualities of man. The study of virtues is seen extensively in almost all ancient cultures. Plato, Aristotle and the Romans discussed and classified Virtues. The Tamil poet and philosopher Thiru Valluvar has described Virtues as Aram ( dharma) or divine virtue. Living by our virtue in Tamil culture is considered as "a way of life" and "not a spiritual observance". The Kural literature gives many definitions and explanations for living a virtuous life through poetic couplets that in traditional Tamil culture was learnt by heart.  Fredrich Neitzsche and Im...

 Values: Video – https://youtu.be/272ImBEvsX4  (Links to an external site.) Story 6 : What a Woman Wants - adapted from King Arthur and the Riddle.     Story Based Reflection : Which part of the story connected with you? What do you value the most? If you were to ask yourself what does a woman want -What will your answer be?    Knowing Values:    Values are the core principles that guide our behavior, they are freely chosen and unique to us. Values reflect a person’s right or wrong and what one stands for. Values help us understand what we really want in life. Focusing on our values and character strengths is vitally important to our well being. By building on these foundations, we can flourish and thrive in our careers and our work and bring our unique contributions into the world.  A study conducted by Dr. David Creswell et al in the University of California (2005) shows that affirming Values helps keep our neuro-...

  Story based Reflections for Courage Story 5 : The Koi Fish – Chinese legend Video : https://youtu.be/lgl-Km2ocu8  (Links to an external site.)       Story Based Reflection: Which image/ part from the story stayed with you. Draw it out in your journal. Which part of the story does this belong to: Beginning, middle or end ? Does that have any significance for your own life journey? Name ways in which the Fish showed courage. Reflect on the Fish as a Hero/ Heroine - what are it's strengths and weakness? Do you identify with the Fish in any way?     ~   Knowing Courage: Courage is defined as the ability to do something that frightens us. Strength in the face of pain or grief. Aristotle viewed courage as a Virtue ( a trait or a quality that is morally good and promotes collective and individual greatness) ...