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A specialist Religious Education and Art Teacher - I retired a few years ago. Now I am an Entrepreneur. I have created a Programme called The Seven Steps to Happiness. It is all about Reducing Stress, Building Resilience and Increasing Happiness. Before Coronavirus came along I gave Workshops and Retreats from my home. Now I am moving my work online. I share resources on TES to support my wonderful Teacher-Colleagues. Most are free but I spend hours on these so I charge for some of them. Enjoy.

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A specialist Religious Education and Art Teacher - I retired a few years ago. Now I am an Entrepreneur. I have created a Programme called The Seven Steps to Happiness. It is all about Reducing Stress, Building Resilience and Increasing Happiness. Before Coronavirus came along I gave Workshops and Retreats from my home. Now I am moving my work online. I share resources on TES to support my wonderful Teacher-Colleagues. Most are free but I spend hours on these so I charge for some of them. Enjoy.
An outline of Hinduism
durgamatadurgamata

An outline of Hinduism

(1)
This simple overview of Hinduism 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.....
Human Rights, Women's Rights The UN, Pakistan
durgamatadurgamata

Human Rights, Women's Rights The UN, Pakistan

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Ra'ana Mahmood is a Pakistani Doctor who started a non-govermnental organisation called the Geriatric Care Foundation. She is in New York for a Human Rights Conference, presenting a paper about the situation in Pakistan, regarding Women's Rights and the position of Elderly people in Pakistan. Ra&'ana is a good friend of mine and emailed me last night to ask if I would check through her report and correct her mistakes in English. Her report is quite moving AND a rich resource for both RE and Citizenship. Ra&';ana says I may share it here. Please give feedback / rating if you use this.
Global Warming, UN Climate Conference
durgamatadurgamata

Global Warming, UN Climate Conference

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This resource is to gather together articles and video links which relate to Global Warming and the UN Climate Conference. It relates to issues we explore in RE with GCSE and older students, stewardship etc. But it is also an important subject in Geography, Science, Citizenship, Politics and Economics etc. Do let me know if you have good resources which I can add here - and give reviews.
Pagan and Neo-Pagan perspectives - Imbolg, Tiw
durgamatadurgamata

Pagan and Neo-Pagan perspectives - Imbolg, Tiw

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Imbolg is the first of many subjects I hope to explore under this heading. If there are others which you would like me to include, do send a PM. Imbolg is the festival which marks the beginning of spring, when the goddess Bride and her groom (the terms Bride and Groom originate here) get together and the year unfolds in all its glory. There are ceremonies to turn away winter and welcome spring - clear out the old and welcome the new ... It is celebrated around the 2nd February - which happens to be today, Happy Imbolg!
Life After Death NDE's and  reincarnation
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Life After Death NDE's and reincarnation

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Life After Death is a fascinating aspect of the curriculum, I have selected some interesting and informative articles about reincarnation and Near Death Experiences, looking for the most serious scientific explorations of these important subjects. 'Proof&' includes - writing match from one life to the next, people born blind who see the room when having out of body NDE&';s and people who are completely brain dead - no activity in the brain at all - when experiencing NDE's
Conversation between theist and atheist teachers
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Conversation between theist and atheist teachers

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This is copied from a thread on my messages. Tonight I answered the atheists statement in some detail and it occurred to me that this conversation would be useful when exploring the God question in school. I would love some feedback, especially questions that your own pupils may ask - so I could make my response more comprehensive and useful. the one I have just put up - (in progress) is probably the last in this series as I am now working with the atheist teacher to turn it into a book which will, hopefully, do justice to both our different viewpoints.
Some of my experiences as a Christian and beyond
durgamatadurgamata

Some of my experiences as a Christian and beyond

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Hi guys, I sometimes go on a forum which is about spiritual experiences. This morning I read a message posted by a Christian who had been directed to their (contemporary) spiritual teacher by Jesus, in a moving way. I was inspired to share some experiences of my own which relate to Christianity. I couldn’t have shared this story with my classes, but please feel free to use it. I guess in relation to Religious Experience, pluralist and exclusivist views - and an example of why generalising removes you from reality. (Jackie – who meditates - and my ‘Old Lady’ are both Christians.)
Blog for October 2012
durgamatadurgamata

Blog for October 2012

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in haste - the prev site is full so starting another. Sorry not a regular blog at the moment, Life is a bit hectic. Bella-the kitten who just caught a mouse at Mums is sitting on my knee purring like a steam engine, very proud of herself. Love and Peace DurgaMata
Starving people in the UK and responses
durgamatadurgamata

Starving people in the UK and responses

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copy of the article (Express 27th Nov 2011) which reported on starvation in Britain - over 100,000 people going hungry at the moment and the way that charities are giving food parcels to many of them. Also info about The Trussel Trust - one such charity, with contact details for London. Updated with four more links including an article from the Independent 16th Oct 2013. The use of Food Banks has tripled this year. Massive suffering is being caused by the gov'ts changes to the benefit system and increasing numbers trapped with low pay and cost of living rising.
Lyrics for God's Colours
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Lyrics for God's Colours

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The most popular song from the CD All Shall Be Well by Jill Blackadder - my sister who is a Primary teacher in the Shetland Islands. for the CD and sheet music contact 'Jill Slee Blackadder' <Jill.blackadder@btinternet.com>, You can find a 'taster&' of this song and others on another resource on prev. page - http://www.tes.co.uk/ResourceUpload.aspx?storycode=6058026&navcode=98 This is a truly inspiring and very soulful song for all ages. It celebrates our world where the beauty is in the diversity. Great as a stimulus for art-work, too.
An outline of Sikhism
durgamatadurgamata

An outline of Sikhism

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This simple overview of Sikhism 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.....
Blog part 12 starting on 8th August
durgamatadurgamata

Blog part 12 starting on 8th August

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It's great to see the Olympics bring so many people together, uniting and inspiring so many in Britain. To be a great sports hero requires many &'divine&'; qualities such as patience, determination, endurance, courage and enthusiasm - and brings so much joy. On TV tonight, discussion on the 'exclusive&' nature of sports - equestrian / sailing. But everyone is getting so much joy in watching. The discussion itself should lead to improvements which bring more people into the different sports. I&';d love to see more games (such as Indian Kabadi) from around the world into the Olympics, too.
An outline of Islam
durgamatadurgamata

An outline of Islam

(1)
This simple overview of Islam 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.....
SMART Targets in RE and the Catholic Survey
durgamatadurgamata

SMART Targets in RE and the Catholic Survey

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In response to a question about the use of SMART targets in RE, some ideas plus, in relation to one - to reduce the use of unqualified generalisations - some info about Pope Francis' survey of Catholics worldwide which highlights the diversity of belief even within one denomination of Christianity.
Blogs for May - October 2014
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Blogs for May - October 2014

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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
Blog from week ending 18th -19th November 2012
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Blog from week ending 18th -19th November 2012

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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
The anti-Muslim film + attacks on Benghazi
durgamatadurgamata

The anti-Muslim film + attacks on Benghazi

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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.
Peace on Earth - practical strategies
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Peace on Earth - practical strategies

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This is a resource for all my great colleagues - to explore practical strategies that we can use to make our lives stronger and more peaceful. The idea behind this is that if we can become spiritually stronger and more peaceful that will impact on our students, classes, colleagues and schools - to say nothing of its effect on our families and our own happiness. So I am asking you all to send me your own favourite 'weapons for peace' which we all can share and benefit from. As always please give feedback and a rating.
Conversations about religion / God / R Education
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Conversations about religion / God / R Education

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This section aims to share conversations about all sorts of important subjects. The first is in response to the email I sent about Religious Education and the English Bacc. - with a French Anarchist. It explores many interesting ideas and can be used to stimulate class discussion about what religion means and why we study Religious Education. If using with KS3 then some 'unpacking' may be needed, but the G + T fringe may enjoy it and some may respond by joining the campaign to support RE. A great example of how a potentially confrontational argument can end up as accord.