As humans, our drive to achieve the best shapes all our thoughts and actions. This drive has also resulted in a lot of research work to figure out the best way to quantify our abilities and successes. For years, it was assumed that the higher the intelligence quotient (IQ) score, the greater the person’s success in life. That led to people with high IQ levels getting special treatment in academic institutions as well as in other avenues.

However, after a few years, it was observed that even individuals with a high IQ could be miserable failures in life. These developments prompted the experts of the field to look for something better and more relevant than IQ.

This gave birth to emotional intelligence or EQ. But again, recently, experts realised that even EQ was inadequate to deal with some situations. As a result, a higher and a more comprehensive skill called SQ, i.e. the Spiritual Quotient came into being, something which the Indian sages knew long ago.

Spiritual Intelligence, now, is referred to as the various skills and abilities that empower us to live in harmony with our highest values and move unnervingly towards our goals of life.

Keeping that in mind, the theme “Our Choice” was selected for the students of grades 1 to 3. In that, the students were asked to select a few things and words of their choice out of many things they were provided with a view to develop vivek i.e. the power of discrimination or right choice in their life.

Students of grades 4 to 6 were asked to do all the necessary arrangements that they could do to welcome Swamishree. When they were asked the purpose of this activity they gave insightful answers. One student said the purpose of this activity was to purify our souls!

Few other answers were:

  • This practise will help us to support our parents in this situation.
  • It is one kind of devotion to God.
  • We will get Swamiji’s blessings and a devotional heart.
  • Swamiji will make us Nimitt and Nirdosh Bhoolku.

The sole purpose of this activity was to infuse the sense of devotion in them, so that they can offer the same hospitality and devotion to any guest or saint coming to their house.

Grades 7-8 and 9-10: In these two groups, students were asked age appropriate questions and shown videos and were encouraged to relate them with their personal life.

For 7th and 8th grade the question was, “How to handle worries in day to day life?”

Few students came out with unique answers. For instance,

  • To pray is the easiest and the most convenient way to overcome worries.
  • By building the confidence and positive attitude.
  • To live with the strength of the God which our dearest Swamishree describes as પ્રભુનું બળ.
  • Open up to elders and seek their help, whenever needed.

One student shared that during vacation at home, his younger brother used to disturb him a lot and also fight with him. His father gave him one solution. He told him to start sharing his belongings with his brother. He followed his father’s words and got miraculous results! Now, they have stopped fighting, at least, for small little things.

The competition was designed to ignite a spiritual spark in the pupils’ hearts and intellect.

To the students of grades 9th and 10th, a video of our school’s creative assembly (જેના મિત્રો સરસ, તેની જીન્દગી સફળ) was shown. After the video session, all the four groups, each consisting 4 students, were given time to ponder upon the matter. They were then expected to relate the values to their lives here at school as well as back home. After a mind-churning session of around an hour, every group came up with amazing ideas to implement the values in their daily routine, which they were supposed to write and submit. These ideas were collected and checked with the perspective of not only the comprehension of the episode shown but also with the ideas to actualize it in their routine lives.

 

This competition has not only inspired students but has also helped teachers to understand the different perspectives about spirituality possessed by the students. At AVM, we all feel truly blessed as here we get an environment, where we can enhance our spiritual intelligence naturally.

-Sharmil Ma’am