Best Friend Worst Enemy

Life Lesson Topic: Our best friend and worst enemy

Description:

In day to day life, some of us have our best friends and enemies as well.  But the fact is, the real friend or enemy is not outside of us but inside. Our mind functions sometimes as our best friend or some other time as our worst enemy under the influence of circumstances.  If we run after the fancy of the mind and do whatever it demands, our mind becomes our worst enemy.  If we encourage the mind to think in the right direction and regulate it’s functioning, our mind becomes our best friend. 

Intent:

• To know the difference when our mind functions as a friend or enemy
• To encourage students to train their mind as a best friend
• To make conscious effort every day to achieve this purpose
• If mind acts according to my dictates then it is my friend
• If I act according to the dictates of my mind then it is my enemy

Example: Some persons involved in corrupt practices out of greed – their minds are their worst enemy.  People living a conscientious life at individual level, professional level, family level and social level – their minds are their best friend. 

Question:

When our mind turns into our worst enemy?

When our mind becomes our best friend?

What can we do to always befriend our mind?

What kind of practices is required in our daily life? 

Situation: 

Worst enemy:

(We have to provide some of the following clues to the students to enable them to think and express their views on the topic)

Þ    I want to study well to get good marks but I could not do so and my mind is wandering. 

Þ    At home my Dad and Mum scold me often and I argue with them.  I don’t want to argue.  But I could not do so.

Þ    I fought with my friend and I stopped talking with my friend.  After a few days my friend wanted to talk to me.  But I could not do so.

Þ    My friend calls me by nick name and mock at me.  I wanted to ignore his comments and don’t wish to take it serious.  But I could not do so.

Þ    I get amused when I tease my friends.  Some of them feel offended.  Some times I feel I should not hurt my friends’ feelings.  But I could not do so.

Þ    I am advised not to eat Ice cream and chocolates more. But I could not stop doing it when I get it.

Þ    Elders at home always give me useful advice.  I don’t give any heed to them though I want to follow some of them.

Þ    When we waste our time in gossiping and roaming during exam time.

Þ    When I expect flattery from others and do things to get others attention, my mind works as an enemy.

Best Friend: 

Þ    When my mind tempts me to go in wrong ways like smoking, drinking etc. and my mind says firm ‘No’, then it becomes my best friend.

Þ    When my friends tease me and make fun of me and my mind wants to  react sharply, I counsel my mind, after all they are my friends, don’t take them seriously. Then my mind is my friend.

Þ    Once upon a time my uncle gave lots of troubles to our family.  Many times I have seen my mother in tears.  One year back my uncle passed away with heart attack.  His family is now in dire circumstances.  My mother has started doing all kinds of help to my uncle’s family.  Now I can say my mother’s mind is her best friend.  I am also supporting my mother.

Þ    When every one of us leaves the class room, I will wait and switch off the light and fan.

Þ    When I am courageous my mind becomes best friend.

Þ    I talked with my friend casually who betrayed me to the teacher the other day.

Þ    When I am true to my friends my mind becomes best friend.

Life Lesson:

Direction and regulation is the key to make the mind our best friend.  In order to make the mind our best friend we need to adopt certain practices at specific times every day on a regular basis.  It may be breathing exercises or regular meditation or prayer according to our faith and family tradition.  Life teaches us hard lessons through hard way when we miss simple lessons it teaches through a soft way.  If we wish to lead a purposeful life, as a first step it is necessary to take conscious effort to save our life from the clutches of worst enemy, the undisciplined and unregulated mind. 

Roles play ideas:

Place: Class room

Scene 1 : Prem is busy drawing some sketches while science subject is going on. Next day when teacher asked him questions on the lesson, he could not answer.

Scene 2 : Prem is busy drawing some sketches with interest when science teacher enters he stops doing it and starts listening attentively.

A student collects funds for Orphanage and using it for selfish reason.

He hands over the collected money with enthusiasm.

If we skip the meals in anger because Amma is scolding – our mind is enemy

If we analyse the truth of Amma’s words – our mind is best friend

When students are fighting in favour of Cinema stars like Vijay, Surya, who is greater – mind is enemy. When we try to follow the great ones like Kalam, Vivekananda – Friend