Crazy weekend. The car broke down at my mother's house on Sunday night. It took me all night to get back to London and to work. Then the bike-lock had seized up and wouldn&'t release my bike. Years ago, before he was 8 I guess, my son coined a phrase for times like this 'Cheerfulness Challenge, mum!' (You win the challenge if you stay cheerful.) The kitties had to stay at Mum&';s until after work yesterday when I went back by train and collected them. Two nights with almost no sleep! Have a great week, Love and Peace - DurgaMata

starting a new 'chapter&' with May - hope you find this month interesting even though a bit disjointed. More disjointing came when Mum fell in May.- a very tough month emotionally in work and in the family. But that makes it interesting spiritually too. Slowly trying to get back up to date. August now. still a week behind. Much time going into a resource for Peace and Conflict, looking at Gaza - my thoughts and prayers are with all affected by war in this troubled time. Aug 5th part 1 good for RE - reflecting on Peace Concert pilgrimage in 1985

21st Feb is about my son singing on ATN Bangla Television I am so proud and happy. What a joy and a privilege to be able to have such a son and a link to such an inspiring event. 25th - 28th about my struggles to teach the lad I work with and my new priority for progress. 14th March includes catch up about a difficult week and 15-16 a paragraph about walking and breathing meditation from a book I am reading by Satish Kumar 25 April - 2nd May back from New York, Alex and Birmingham.

two interesting articles about Islam in society and the way that the Western press like to stereotype Muslims. Some great images to encourage discussion and counter prejudice if you can link to internet - I couldn't get them to download - and an article which explores the likely causes of the attack against the embassy in Benghazi - which it would seem was exploiting the film, using it as an excuse - rather than caused by it.

How would Britain be a different country if it were Jewish. This was the brief I was given last term for an interview lesson which didn't materialise. (Because it was close to the end of term they decided they didn't have enough time to arrange it and will just use non-specialist cover.) Initially I planned a lesson using Christmas and reflecting on festivals - as that was topical - but they wanted me to include some info on synagogue. So this the result. Beginning by asking what does it mean to be a Christian country it ends with an overview of church and synagogue. not finished but still a useful resource. I'll polish it up if I have time. Love and Peace DurgaMata

1 kittens, Joy Weekend 2 Ipswich weekend inc photos Indian Independence Day. Third = Facing History Seminar (re Holocaust) Blogs from 20th August to 4th September - the Spiritual Festival in New York. a bit unusual. 6th Sep - back home kittens celibacy and God Realisation. 7th (with pics) of my spiritual Teacher. 9th - reflections on wealth and oneness. 11th Birmingham Expedition and chocolate. 13th house-share tensions. Posters for the Concert 25th catch up on postering news and an interview 2nd Oct. Postering + people in Birmingham 11th Oct (from 4th) preparing for the concert

I try to share the things that are interesting, things that make me think about life - not just the outer details of my days. Because I do have an active spiritual life and practise meditation daily, this may bring a slightly different and more interesting perspective to things. But I also share some of my weaknesses and the battles I fight. I have been encouraged to continue my blog by some very kind and sincere teachers. I think we have little that we can offer to the world other than who we are - so this is a bit of me. Happy Christmas to everyone.

the latest in the series. the one on 2nd and 5th describes the workshop I gave at the 12th International Conference on Children's Spirituality - and some observations that my friend has seen when taking children around the St Julian of Norwich Shrine and at Walsingham. This would be useful when exploring Spiritual Experience and religion in today's world. more later

Not been near internet for a few days, so here is a bit of the backlog In haste and best wishes for the second half of term. If you'd like me to come into school as a visiting speaker or to give any kind of support that might be helpful please send me a pm. I'm still giving my time free and just ask for travel expenses All the best DMC

It's great to find inspiring figures to share with our classes - especially those which come from other religions and cultures than Western white Christian ones. This is a great one Supporters are putting his name forward for a Nobel Peace Prize. I feel this is absolutely justified and have created these files from info found about him on Wikki and his own website. The quote which appears on each page of his website is that 'no religion is higher than humanity' which I think would make a good addition to the wall of any classroom.

Deepak is one of the most interesting spiritual / religious figures around. He is a prolific writer and speaker. But many traditional scientists dismiss his work and his ideas. He is an experienced medical doctor but went on to explore alternative healing methods from Eastern culture as well. Here I have copied from Wikki his biography and the controversy about his work, along with links to some of the youtube videos which are available and a list of his books also from Wikki. I suggest this resource will be useful with both RS and Philosophy students.

Continuation of blog started in September 2011. As a practising theist, who tries to respond to all the ups and downs of life from a spiritual perspective, I feel that my life experiences may be a useful resource. Some have been kind enough to encourage me with this. A few people tell me that they read it regularly, so for them and any other casual readers I continue. The one on 29th and 30th includes 2 photos of the kitties aged 4 weeks best wishes and love to all DMC

send to any who care about RE and to your MP + others mentioned. This is from a thread on the RE forum Share this and related material about the consequences of the Ebacc in Staff Meetings and Assemblies,

This simple overview of Judaism can be used to revise or consolidate a unit of KS3 work or to refresh and introduce a unit for further study in KS4. Including both a Word Search and Cross-Word Puzzle to reinforce Key Words, this resource will link with further ones which explore each area in more detail. Currently Under Construction.....

articles and info relating to Religious Education and the effects of the Ebacc. Many MP's are on our side.

This simple overview of Judaism can be used to revise or consolidate a unit of KS3 work or to refresh and introduce a unit for further study in KS4. Including both a Word Search and Cross-Word Puzzle to reinforce Key Words, this resource will link with further ones which explore each area in more detail. Currently Under Construction.....

The Easter Story - from The Last Supper to The Ascension The accounts from the Four Gospels are Aligned to highlight key events. I use this with KS3 or KS4. Dividing the class into groups, each group has one key event or episode from the story to turn into a short Drama. Each group performs their episode in sequence. I need to check this resource is complete and accurate but with Easter around the corner, I will share it now. years 4 to 6 in Primary school can use a similar approach but in their case, the teacher will need to create a simple outline from the Gospels which the children can then enact or read in sequence.

a great and inspiring person who is doing much for peace and education in Africa. This is during the Olympics. I met her and her assistant stayed with me for a few days. Not overtly religious but profoundly spiritual. I will explore that side of her work in more depth and add another file regarding our conversation if I can. But a great resource to share and discuss when looking at issues of peace and conflict, inspiring people, real education, citizenship and sport

Valentines Day today, but the first blog is just to catch up a bit. My computer is ill so I could only write on paper for a few days, 13th = background info about me and my hubbie, + when we went to Paris Disney last year to celebrate my mother-in-law's 90th birthday. 15th is mostly about Valentine's day, love and relationships in general - mostly me and my hubbie. I was asked to prepare a Biography for something else - but I thought it might interest my blog-readers. Sorry for blog-gaps. My laptop died and I have little access to a computer.

Follows previous blog - starts on 17th April but I will include the ones from 12th and 16th to give some background info for anyone who may come fresh to this. I am in New York, taking part in a spiritual festival. I came on 3rd and in two days I will return to England. Returned on 20th. Just added blog with photos for 26th and info on good habits for 27th plus another file on good habits from a zenhabits site my son likes. link to brilliant youtube film 'I AM' on 29th 30th includes a Birthday poem.