Imbibing Meditation to the students

In the academic year, 2010-11 at Satkama High School, a meditation on the supposition of Divine Light was introduced as a 15-minute daily practice for students of VII to X class. In addition to this, Pujya Babuji Maharaj’s recitation of shloka was played in the background during the meditation period in all classes.
Students from I to VI class were asked to maintain only silence in the 15 minute period. This 15 minute meditation period followed the morning assembly prayer for all classes.
This is a short report on the feedback from 61 students from VI to X class only. The students were also asked to write periodically in their notes on how they felt after meditation. The feedback was sought in form of a written questionnaire from students of Class VI to X at the end of the school year after about 4 months of practice.

Report on feedback of meditation from students

The response was solicited primarily for the following questions

  • How are you doing meditation?

  • How do you feel during meditation?

  • How do you feel after meditation?

  • Do you feel meditation is helping you in any other things?

Each report was analyzed to identify major feelings and changes reported. Each occurrence of a feeling in the report is counted as an instance.
e.g, if a student reports calmness and happiness, it is treated as an instance of calmness and happiness each. Since most students have reported more than one feeling, the total instances against feelings and behavioral changes will be more than the total number of students whose reports have been considered. For the purpose of this report, data is not taken from students of I to V classes.

Observations
Given below is the compilation of the response of the students to
the feedback questionnaire

Q1) How are you doing meditation?

In response to the first question, out of the 48 students (class VII to X) who were advised to meditate on Divine Light, 20 students have explicitly mentioned that they do so. Others have mentioned that they try to maintain silence as they listen to the recitation of the Master.

Q 2) How do you feel during meditation?

In response to the second question, there are 23 instances of students reporting colors. Prominently reported colours are yellow, red, blue and pink. Almost all students have reported 15 minute as an appropriate time for meditation. In a couple of cases they have reported that the period is short.

Q 3) How do you feel after meditation?

In response to the third question, Calmness, Peace, Freshness and Happiness are the feelings reported by the majority. Students
have reported more than one feeling like calmness and happiness or peace and happiness etc. All the reported feelings expressed by
the students were captured. Note that this vocabulary of feelings is extracted from their written reports only.

FEELINGS AFTER MEDITATION

Calmness
Peace
Freshness
Happiness
Silence
Relaxation
Detensioning
Headache
Purity
Coolness
Pleasant
Freedom
Satisfaction
Active
Confidence
Simplicity
Boring
Vibrations
Observed Colors

INSTANCES

38
30
27
14
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
21

Q 4) Do you feel meditation is helping you in any other things?

In response to the fourth question, the response is varied
a) Majority of the students felt that meditation is helping in their studies and concentration.
b) Some have attributed their behavioral improvement to meditation.
c) Control of anger is very commonly reported.
d) Reduction in impulsive tendencies like improved tolerance or less irritation, controlled emotions, improved patience, discipline etc are reported in about 12 instances.
e) There are instances of positive tendencies being developed also.

BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES

Improved in studies
Improved Concentration in work
Control of Anger
Improved Behaviour
Improved memory
Improved Tolerance (less irritation)
Controlled Emotions
Improved Patience
Discipline
Sensitive towards others
Improved confidence
Calmness
Respect
Reduced Jealousy
Non Stealing
Fraternal Feelings

INSTANCES

19
10
9
7
6
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1

Conclusion

The preliminary feedback suggests that meditation is indeed having a positive and perceptible impact on the students. After the meditation, the students have expressed feelings like calmness, peace, happiness etc which show that they are able to meditate properly and the result of it is being felt and expressed. Increased focus on studies like concentration, improvement and interest in studies is also reported by the students. Students have also expressed that meditation is bringing in positive change in their behavior and feelings and it is found that it is sensitizing them to good feelings and is having a moderating effect on their behavior. Teachers were given a questionnaire to report the observation of students after the meditation period. Their reports corroborate the point that students show better discipline and improved attention in the period after meditation.