Silence is golden….
…Be still and know
For JUST THIS DAY, 2013 Wednesday 20th November
Ssssssh… MOVE INTO STILLNESS
Just a Minute, Peace
PLEDGE MINUTES 2013 is the seventh year thousands ü
AT HOME, SCHOOL, OFFICE – ANYWHERE YOU ARE: gather your group and observe minutes of Stillness and Silence together, and offer up your efforts for the blessings of All.
will share the intention of observing
ü
PAUSE – for moments throughout the day. Use the PAUSE to be still and listen. Notice that LISTEN and SILENT share the same letters.
Silence on JUST THIS DAY carded for WEDNESDAY 20, NOVEMBER., this year. JOIN US and PLEDGE your minutes at JUST THIS DAY, TRINIDAD on FACE BOOK.
ü
TELL others about JUST THIS DAY and ask them to join in moments or minutes of Silence w ith the intention of blessing all nations.
ü
POST YOUR PLEDGE on JUST THIS DAY, TRINIDAD Face Book page so we can see each other and be encouraged.
ü
CREATE AN EVENT – a simple activity at school or office may be a reading about the divine nature and beauty of Silence.
ü
WALK in awareness, sow seeds of peace w ith each step.
of students of the world wide School of Philosophy and of different faiths
http://www.theschoolofphilosophy.org.tt The ease of Stillness and Silence is always right at hand and more natural to our Being than any other state.
1 2 3
lorem ipsum dolor
issue, date
https://www.facebook.com/JUSTTHISDAYTRINIDAD There are many ways to amplify the unity of Silence, for JUST THIS DAY 2013 Shhh. PAUSE for a moment. BREATHE. LISTEN. It takes but a moment to begin. Silence belongs to no o ne, yet to every one of us. This is the way for us to know unifying peace. Silence is far more than just not speaking or the absence of noise. ACCEPT then, this sincere invitation to spend moments with your true self on Wednesday 20th November, 2013 and join with
thousands of like-‐hearted others around the world. Help us to grow awareness of JUST THIS DAY, here in TRINIDAD. ü
INVITE STUDENTS to spend time LISTENING : THE BIG SHHH is on.
ü
WALK with conscious intention around the playground.
ü
ü
TEACH students about the pleasant ease of QUIETUDE.
ü
DEDICATE nap times for younger children to the spirit of peaceful intention of all people everywhere.
ü
DRAW/ PAINT Silence
ü
WRITE / READ about Silence.
CREATE A TOUCH BOOK FOR QUIET MOMENTS
Left: Home made tactile “TOUCH” books encourage quiet moments with very young children Right: The Quiet Book, by Deborah Underwood
2
lorem ipsum dolor
issue, date
WALKING INTO STILLNESS WALKING MEDITATION IS AN ANCIENT TRADITION THAT CAN BE FOUND IN ALL FAITHS. IT IS THE SIMPLE PRACTICE OF PAYING ATTENTION. IN LABYRINTH WALKING THE JOURNEY TOWARDS THE CENTRE BECOMES A LIVING METAPHOR FOR THE QUIET WAY OF TURNING INWARD. Labyrinth walking is in an ancient tradition found in all major traditions.
USE poems and classical music to INVITE quiet moments of reflection and listening.
The practice of placing the attention where the feet meet the earth, and allowing the mind to be still, is one even young children w ould like to explore.
ART is a useful way to express ideas about Stillness and Silence, until the child’s practice matures.
Using chalk or stones and other found objects a free form pattern can be
RESIST the adult habits that squash their natural exuberance.
Don’t start and stop your practice for JUST THIS DAY…
A PAUSE, here and there, throughout the days, weeks and months, accumulate into growth of awareness.
When Silence and Stillness seem to be far away, as children naturally get excited, just ask them: Where is it now?
A MINUTE ,
The intention is to create an area for walking w ith attention.
BOOKS with pictures and wisdom words appeal to both younger and older children.
CONTINUE -‐ even small efforts,
created as a walking path.
TELL US WHAT YOU ARE PLANNING FOR JUST THIS DAY IN TRINIDAD –POST YOUR SCHOOL OR CLASSROOM EVENT OR PLEDGE FOR MINUTES OF SILENCE ON OUR FACE BOOK PAGE AT: https://www.facebook.com/JUSTTHISDA YTRINIDAD SPREAD THE W ORD: THE BIG Shhhh is ON!
Making your own labyrinth can be as simple as chalk drawing on concrete or lay stones/ found objects
3
1 2 3
lorem ipsum dolor
issue, date
NATURE WALKS are an easy w ay to introduce STILLNESS & SILENCE to young children. CHANGE YOUR INTENTION when you step out in this way. Leave scientific inquiry and syllabus agendas aside for these moments. A butterfly won’t land on your nose if you are fidgety, and you can’t hear a humming bird’s wings if you are noisy! NATURE, in being itself innocently, presents us with genuine opportunities to be restful and reflective. Each time you venture o ut in this way, your students will tune into Silence with increasing ease.
MEANINGFUL BOOKS: SELF, SILENCE & STILLNESS FOR CHILDREN 1. Milton’s Secret, An
2. 3.
Adventure of Discovery through Then, When and the Power of Now – Ekhart Tolle Each Breath, A Smile Sister Susan, words by Tich Nhat Hanh Buddah at Bedtime Dharmachari Nagaraja
4. Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda – Lauren Alderfer 5. A Handful of Quiet 6. A Handful of Quiet, Happiness in Four
Pebbles -‐ Tich Nhat Hanh
7. On My Way to a Happy Life – Deepak Chopra 8. I Think, I Am! Teaching Kids the Power of Affirmations, Louise Hay 9. I AM, Why Two Lttle Words Mean So Much – Dr. Wayne Dyer 10. Clia, The First Bird – inspired by Ekhart Tolle – Olivia Rosewood
11. Brave Enough to Bloom – Olivia Rosewood
12. The Three Questions, Based on a Story by Leo Tolstoy - Jon J. Muth 13. Zen Ties – Jon J. Muth
14. Old Turtle, and the
Broken Truth – Douglas Wood 15. Peaceful Piggy Meditation – Kerry Lee Maclean 16. Stone Soup – Jon J. Muth 17. Steps and Stones, An Ahn’s Anger Story, practice opportunities for children – Gail Silver
4
4
lorem ipsum dolor
issue, date
We call to you to join us for JUST THIS DAY: Go beyond differences and remember the still silent space where everything is One… That space is the same up mountains and in valleys. In cities or fields In Pleasure and in Pain For information about the international movement and central events in London, U.K. see www.justthisday.org
In Peace or Conflict…In fact, wherever YOU are, the space of Silence belongs to us all. THE SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY, TRINIDAD: Our primary aim is to provide a systematic study and practical guidance for those wishing to embark on the journey towards Selfdevelopment and the growth of Wisdom. The School's curriculum is inspired by the world's great universal teachings with emphasis given to the philosophy of the unity of the Self, and discovering an underlying unity and joy in all things. The School of Philosophy is staffed and cared for by its own students on a purely voluntary basis, without remuneration. Its tutors are all students of the school who have studied their subject for many years. In addition to presenting "Practical" Philosophy to the community, students have taken the universal principles presented and, through study and devotion, applied them to the disciplines of Economics, Law, Calligraphy, Education, Art, Science, Music, and others. The results have led to a wealth of great beauty, creativity, and understanding. Public lectures and concerts are some of the ways the students have been able to share with the community the benefits they have received. http://www.theschoolofphilosophy.org.tt Tel: 868- 652-5340
5