Session 24: Silence between Thoughts

Time allocation:
1. a. Mindful check-in: 3-5 minutes
b. Discussion on Mindfulness:10 minutes
2. a. Silence between Thoughts: 5 minutes
b. Discussion on Silence between Thoughts: 15 minutes
3. Silent check out: 1-2 minutes

1. a. Mindful check-in: 3-5 minutes

Learning outcome: Through this activity, the teacher will prepare the students for the mindfulness class.

The steps of the activity

Teachers should tell students that through this activity we will take our attention off the work we were doing before this and bring it to the present. This exercise can be done by the students anywhere and at any time.
Tell the students to sit comfortably and, if they want, they can straighten their backs, close their eyes. If someone is finding it difficult to close their eyes then they can lower their eyes and look downwards.
Tell the students to keep their hands on the desk or on their lap.
Tell the students that we will begin the class with the mindful check-in activity. We will do this for 3 minutes.
Tell the students to focus first on the sounds they can hear around them and then take their attention to their own breathing.
Tell the students that the other sounds can reduce … or increase, they can be heard at intervals … or heard continuously.

(Wait for 20 seconds.)

Tell the students to become aware of these sounds, however they might sound. Ask them to listen to where they are coming from.

(Wait for 30 seconds.)

Tell the students that now they should focus on their breath. Focus on inhaling and exhaling.
Ask the students not to change the rhythm of their breath. Just be aware and focus on them.

(Wait for 10 seconds.)

Ask the students to focus on when they are inhaling and when they are exhaling. Is there a difference between the breath they are taking in and the one they are giving out? Are these breaths cool or warm … fast or slow … light or deep?
Tell the students to be aware of each breath.

(Wait for 20 seconds.)

Now ask the students to slowly focus on how they are sitting and whenever they are ready, they may open their eyes.

Dos and Don’ts:

Before beginning with check-in, give time to the students to sit comfortably.
During the activity, if you see a student getting distracted, without naming him/her, ask the whole class to pay attention.

1. b. Discussion on Mindfulness: 10 minutes

Learning outcome: To know the students’ experience on the process of mindfulness and its benefits.

Proposed points of discussion:

Ask the students to think about the changes they experienced within themselves during the process for 2-3 minutes. Ask them to think about the experience and the practice of the previous week’s activity. Ask them to think also about where and when they used this activity other than the happiness period.
After this, teachers can discuss with the students about the learnings and benefits of mindfulness and how it has improved their lives in ways like –

Reduction of stress within
More focus in the classroom
Realising what is going on within them (happiness, sadness, anger etc.)

Tell the students that they may write their thoughts in their notebook. After this, some of them can share their experiences.
In this period, a discussion can be held on the particular experiences, challenges or questions that arose during the mindfulness activity.
A discussion can be held on the articles on mindfulness brought by the students.

Dos and Don’ts

Every week, ask the students to bring a few articles on mindfulness to the class so that a discussion could be held on them.
Encourage all students to give answers.
The students who hesitate in speaking up, may write their thoughts somewhere.
Accept all answers given by students, don’t contest them.

2. a. Silence between Thoughts: 5 minutes

Learning outcome: Students should become aware of the blankness between their thoughts.

Steps of the activity

Tell the students to sit in a comfortable position and loosen their shoulders. Take a deep breath and slowly exhale through the mouth. With the next breath, they should close their eyes. If anyone is uncomfortable in closing their eyes, they can look downward.
Tell the students to become aware of their surroundings with the next breath. Ask the students to take their attention to the various sounds generated in the environment around them.

(Wait for 30 seconds.)

Tell the students that they are inhaling and exhaling normally. Ask the students to focus on the sensation generated by breathing in and out.

(Teachers should wait at this position for 10 seconds.)

Now tell the students to become aware of their thoughts. Ask them to count each thought that is coming to their mind.
As and when the thoughts are coming to their mind, they should add them to the count.
While doing this, when they feel now there are no thoughts coming to them, that second they should sit peacefully.
Teachers should tell the students that during this process if they falter while counting, without getting worried they may start counting again.
(Give the students 5-10 minutes for this process. Instruct them again and again. Give them enough time to become aware of their thoughts.)

2. b. Discussion on Silence between Thoughts: 15 minutes

How are you feeling?
Was this activity easy or tough? Why?
Were you able to experience the emptiness between two thoughts? Share your experience.
In the gap between one count and the next, what did you experience?

(Note: If the teachers find it appropriate, they may share with the students that by adopting this practice, they would find the flow of their thoughts slowing down and they would gradually find the gap between two thoughts. This gap is called zero, when zero thoughts come to the mind.)

Dos and Don’ts

Teachers should give full opportunity to the students for expression.
It is expected from the teachers that they patiently listen to the students’ thoughts. Do not praise or criticise any student.
Do not compare the experience of students in any way, because each child has his/her own experience.

3. Silent check out: 1-2 minutes

Learning outcome: The purpose of this activity is to get the students to reflect on the thoughts and feelings generated while doing the activities in the happiness class.

Steps of the activity

The mindfulness class should be ended sitting quietly.
During this, a reflection should be made by the students on the thoughts and feelings generated by today’s activities.
Do not give any other instructions to the students.
Whether the students want to close their eyes and reflect, or would want to lower them – this should be left on them.

Dos and Don’ts:

The teachers should not ask any questions after the silent check out.
If a student wants to share his/her experience, the teacher may give them a chance to do so.

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Session 24: Silence between Thoughts

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