Greetings and Opening prayer
Primeiro momento – suggested techniques:
1 - Distribute different coloured paper with different shades (it could be cellophane or other transparent material) to the adolescents. Ask them to walk around the room with this dark paper in front of their eyes. The spiritist teacher will play a heavy song; like heavy rock music. The children/adolescents should observe the objects and watch what they see and feel. Then ask them to do the same, but this time with a light-coloured paper in front of their eyes. The spiritist teacher should play a soft music this time.
Suggested questions:
What did they see and feel with each experience? Explain that each person is immersed in vibrations; this can be related to the way they felt the difference of colour and music that accompanied them as they walked around the room. We are all surrounded by energy, like a fish in an aquarium (the water would be the vibration that we are subjected to). Remember that good and bad thoughts influence us. We are influenced by the thoughts we emit and the attitudes we have. We are influenced by the thoughts and actions of those who live with us as well.
What kind of vibration/energy is in the room at that moment? Wait for their responses; add (if necessary) that the environment (as everywhere else) is the sum of the vibration and energy of all present incarnate and disincarnate spirits.
What kind of influence (thoughts and actions) is in a place where there’s a lot of alcohol, drugs and disrespect? In a place where everyone pushes each other, only think about themselves and to enjoy as much as they can?
What kind of spirits go to places where the goal is samba, dancing to exhaustion ('til you drop), drinking too much and then telling others what they did (if and when they can remember)?
What are the real intentions of those people who will take part in the carnival? Do people choose to go because everybody's going to?
What are the reasons that cause one to have careless attitudes during Carnival? What is the reason to drink and/or dance till you drop? Is it constructive? Are these attitudes bringing good things to our lives?
What is to go beyond limits? According to the dictionary, it’s to express oneself in an impetuous manner; to go beyond limits in speech or behaviour. There are other more intelligent and healthy ways to enjoy a break, such as: having a rest, reading, playing with friends, visiting family and friends, spending time with our families, strengthening the bonds of affection...
Remember that we can choose the kind of music we want to hear. When we choose the music we are going to listen to, we also choose our spiritual companies. (What kind of Spirits will follow us when we hear a song that speaks of sensuality, addictions? What about songs that add nothing useful to our lives, or whose lyrics we don’t understand and makes so much noise that even gives us a headache?)
Perhaps the children/adolescents will mention some songs they listen to. The spiritist teacher can then lead the group to reflect on them. Mention that if we go to a place that plays loud music, like a carnival ball, a nightclub or a party, we must be aware of our incarnate and disincarnate companies, to the thoughts we have and our attitudes, because we influence and are influenced spiritually speaking. Highlight also that the choice of where to go, what to drink and what to do is up to each one of us, as well as the responsibility for the.
Highlight that there is music in the Spirit World, but is a calm and beautiful music that reassures and raises vibrations of the spirits and the ambient. Mention that music can be a positive thing in our lives; if we choose the right music and the right volume (loud music hurts our ears). Finish this day’s class with quiet music; with positive lyrics.
2 - Distribute the cryptogram below for them to find the phrase.
Click here to see the cryptogram.
After they find the phrase, write it on the board by splitting it into two parts. Discuss the meaning of each sentence; citing examples.
Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.
God gave us free will; that is, we can do whatever we want and think freely. However, we must realize that not everything that exists (or that is offered) is good for us. Cite negative things, as an example, such as: drugs, drink, war games, and pessimistic thoughts. Give examples of positive attitudes and thoughts also: soft music, good friendships, doing healthy sports, etc.
Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.
To edify is to build ethical and moral values. There are things, attitudes and thoughts that don’t promote our spiritual, moral and intellectual evolution. But it’s up to each one of us to make our own choices. Nobody chooses on behalf of another person: each of us is responsible for the choices we make every day.
Conclude that we have free will to choose; we should always remember that we are responsible for our choices. When our parents say we can’t go to a place, this is definitely for the better because they love us and want the best for us. We will understand with time that we have selected the places we visit according to our spiritual and evolution tuning.
3 - The spiritist teacher can tell a story that talk about peace, Law of Cause and Effect, childhood for the younger children. There are many stories that can be used in this site. The goal is to show children the importance of developing positive values, being in tune with their guardian angels, as well as the influence of spirits in our lives. Remember that the purpose of the place we go determines our incarnate and disincarnate companies, as each place is also frequented by disincarnate spirits that connect to the place and the people, through the energies of the environment. E.g. a religious temple, a spiritist centre, a nightclub, a carnival ball...
Click here to find a word-hunt game.
Coloured sheets may be distributed for younger children to draw how they their guardian angel to be.
Have you ever stopped to think about the responsibility you have towards your child? To love, to educate, to teach your child to value life and family, to thank the things he/she owns, etc. To teach him/her to be an honest and sincere person, with values such as responsibility, love, brotherhood, respect, forgiveness and peace...
Being a parent is having the opportunity and responsibility to help the child grow intellectually, morally and spiritually in their passage on Earth...
Think about this, during this coming Carnival... What values and virtues will your child learn during this period? Is he/she able to remain harmonized, without tuning with the heavy vibrations of these places? Are the music and the place in accordance with what you teach your child? Will you continue to encourage him/her to participate in the festivities of Carnival when he/she grows up? Why?
Remember: the values developed from early childhood as well as the examples lead by the parents are very important. The Spirit of your child has the opportunity of learning continuously from you.
Note: This lesson can be adapted to different cycles, as the level of depth depends on the maturity and prior knowledge of the children/adolescents.
Click here to find resources for the spiritist teachers.
PowerPoint published with the permission of ‘Grupo Espírita Allan Kardec’.
Closing Prayer
Suggested Class suitable for: 3rd cycle (11 to 12 years old) and Youth.
Translation: Ana Claudia Monteiro Silva - Canadá.
