I spent the last two days joining the Lifeclasses session, where we talked about belief, doubt, and religion in a relaxed and friendly way. The session gave everyone a chance to stop and think about what they believe and to hear the thoughts of others without any pressure.
We used some simple questions, like what we believe now, what we used to believe, and what’s still confusing for us. Many participants said that it’s normal and okay to feel unsure or to have questions about religion and faith sometimes. This made it easier to talk openly and understand that others face similar struggles.
I really liked how the group focused on finding things we could all agree on, even if our views were different. The session showed that when people listen to each other with respect, it’s easier to work together and understand one another. It was nice to see that even if people come from different backgrounds, we all value things like kindness, respect, and being curious about life.
Overall, I think Lifeclasses was a good way to reflect and share ideas. It felt good to take part in honest talks about what matters to people and how we can understand each other better.
In our recent Life Class, we delved into some of humanity’s oldest and deepest ideas like religion, spirituality, belief, rituals, traditions, and customs. We explored how these concepts overlap yet remain distinct: religion often provides structure, spirituality offers personal connection, belief gives purpose, rituals bring consistency, and traditions bind communities.
Vardan Sir’s session was particularly thought-provoking. He candidly shared his journey of becoming an atheist, which opened up a space for honest questions. His perspective encouraged us to look inward — to challenge what we’ve been told and to define what we truly believe.
We also watched The Man from Earth, a film that beautifully blurs the line between faith, history, and logic. The discussion that followed pushed us to think critically, to question our assumptions, and to consider that truth can sometimes exist beyond what’s provable.
Through it all, I found myself arriving at a clearer understanding of my own identity of a spiritual believer. I wouldn’t call myself a staunch follower of my community’s religious practice, but I do hold faith in the fundamental values that religion teaches.
This session wasn’t just about defining what we believ, it was about learning to think about belief itself.
During the fifth and sixth days of our Life Classes, we explored one of the most sensitive yet thought-provoking topic — religion. The sessions beautifully guided us through the conceptual and perceptual meanings of key terms such as religion, God, beliefs, customs, traditions, rituals, and spirituality.
What made these sessions truly enriching was how they encouraged us to go beyond definitions and reflect on the deeper significance of these concepts in our own lives. The facilitators did not impose any single interpretation but rather opened a space for critical inquiry and self-reflection. This approach helped us confront and question the many myths and biases that often surround religious practices.
A major takeaway for me was the importance of the art of questioning — learning to ask “why” instead of merely accepting “what,” as is both our right and responsibility to understand the reasoning behind rituals and traditions, instead of following them blindly.
Another meaningful aspect discussed was the range of emotions people experience when their religious beliefs are challenged. Some respond with fear or confusion, while others show openness or curiosity. These emotional responses reflect how deeply faith is interwoven with identity, culture, and personal experience.
The sessions were made even more engaging through interactive activities, including a discussion with a Vardhan Sir and a movie screening — both of which offered fresh and creative perspectives on religion and spirituality.
Overall, these two days were an enlightening journey into understanding not just religion, but also the human emotions and thought processes that surround it. They reminded us that questioning does not mean disrespect — it means seeking truth and meaning in a mindful, informed way.
The past two days’ sessions have been truly insightful, encouraging me to think critically from new perspectives. I realized that in life, we cannot always be on the same page, and before taking any step, it is essential to pause and reflect on our actions. The discussion on biases offered a fresh understanding—that bias is not a single concept but exists in many different forms. The idea of “killing my darlings” compelled me to evaluate my own habits and recognize which ones I consider important but are, in reality, not truly necessary.
Would you like me to make it more formal (for academic/professional reporting) or more creative & inspiring (like for a personal blog or speech)?
This life class made me think about the biases and stereotypes we all carry. We talked about how these quick judgments shape the way we see people and the world.
We played a fun game called “2 Truths and 1 Darling.” My two truths were that money can solve many problems, and my darling was changing my headphone company for better sound quality.
This class reminded me to question my own beliefs and look beyond surface-level ideas. It was a strong reminder to stay open-minded and not let stereotypes guide my thinking.
The past two days have been quite an eye-opening journey into the world of critical thinking. On Day 3, we explored different types of biases through role play, which made the learning process fun and engaging. The activity on “Financially Equal” especially stood out—it really made me pause and think about how fairness and bias can influence the choices we make, often without realizing it. Day 4 took the experience a step further with debates on Homeopathy vs. Allopathy and Vegetarian vs. Non-vegetarian food. These discussions didn’t just highlight different perspectives but also challenged me to reflect on my own assumptions. A few points were surprisingly eye-opening and pushed me into deeper self-thinking. Looking back, these two days were more than just activities—they were opportunities to sharpen my ability to question, analyze, and see issues from multiple angles. Critical thinking isn’t just about finding answers; it’s about being open to different viewpoints and making balanced judgments.
In this week’s Life Class, I got the chance to dive into critical thinking in a very hands-on way. We started with the idea that the map is not the terrain, and when we each drew our own maps of the school, I was struck by how differently everyone saw the same space. It made me realize how much perspective shapes understanding. We also had a fruitful discussion on stereotypes, which opened my eyes to how easily assumptions can cloud judgment. Later, through a skit on biases, I saw just how often our minds play tricks on us without us even noticing.
The discussions and debates that followed really pushed me to question my own beliefs and listen more openly to others. Toward the end, we explored the idea of “breaking our darlings”—letting go of biases and personal preferences that cloud our judgment—and then watched a short film that tied it all together by showing how perspective shapes decision-making. Walking out of the class, I felt like I had not just learned about critical thinking but also practiced it, and it left me more open to growth, empathy, and new ways of seeing the world.
In our recent life class on critical thinking, we had a meaningful discussion about stereotypes. We focused especially on gender stereotypes and how they affect our thinking and society. We explored how such beliefs are formed and what we can do to break them. Everyone shared real-life examples, which made the topic more relatable.We also had an interesting conversation about homeopathy and allopathy. We compared both forms of medicine and discussed the beliefs people hold about them. Using critical thinking, we looked at facts, personal experiences, and different viewpoints. Each participant shared their opinion, and we listened to one another with respect and an open mind.The session helped us see how important it is to question our assumptions and think deeply before forming opinions. It reminded us that critical thinking is not just about being logical, but also about being fair and open to new ideas.
Sessions: 3 and 4, offered an enriching exploration into the subject of stereotypes and biases. Until now, my understanding of stereotyping had been narrowly framed around gender. However, these sessions broadened my perspective significantly, introducing me to 14 different types of biases. This expansion of knowledge was truly an eye-opener.
A particularly impactful concept discussed was that of gatekeepers—the realization that we ourselves often become channels through which stereotypes are reinforced and circulated. This understanding prompted meaningful dialogue and critical reflection. One exercise, centered around analyzing headlines, highlighted how a single line seldom conveys the entire truth. Instead, it underscored the importance of delving deeper, questioning narratives, and avoiding hasty conclusions.
The activities conducted further strengthened these insights. Two Truths and One Darling—with the powerful idea of “murder your darling”—was especially memorable. The exercise emphasized the importance of not clinging blindly to a single perspective but instead evaluating whether it stands the test of evidence, research, and relevance. It reinforced the value of investing our time, energy, and resources only after careful consideration.
Overall, these sessions moved beyond surface-level learning. They challenged existing assumptions, encouraged open-mindedness, and equipped us with critical tools to question, reflect, and act more responsibly in how we perceive and communicate information.