The Sutradhar


Institute of Dharma



The Educator’s Dharma



Integrating Ancient Wisdom into Modern Classrooms



Benefits for Your Child



This professional development workshop moves beyond the
Bhagavad Gita as a religious text and presents its core
philosophies as a practical, universal framework for:



We will translate key concepts like Dharma (Duty/Purpose), Karma Yoga (Selfless Action), and Stithaprajna (Steady Wisdom) into actionable strategies for the modern classroom.



Enhancing
Student SEL



Building student self-
awareness, self-management,
and responsible decision
-making.



Improving
Classroom Culture



Fostering a community of
respect, focused effort, and
ethical reasoning.



Preventing
Educator Burnout



Providing tools for managing
stress, detachment from
outcomes, and sustaining
passion for teaching.



The "Why": The Modern Educational Battlefield



Educators today face immense challenges: increasing student anxiety, lack of focus,
complex social dynamics, and high rates of professional burnout. This workshop
addresses the root of these issues by providing a philosophical foundation for:



For Students



Helping them navigate

internal conflicts (confusion,

peer pressure, fear of

failure).



For Teachers



Re-framing challenges as opportunities for growth and

focused action, reducing

emotional exhaustion.




Workshop Objectives & Outcome



By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:



Articulate the core
principles of the
Bhagavad Gita in a
secular, educational
context.



Design lesson
hooks and activities
using Gita-based parables
to teach SEL
competencies.



Implement
language and
questioning techniques
that promote a growth mindset and intrinsic motivation.



Utilize
mindfulness and
cognitive techniques
derived from the text for
their own self-care
and resilience.



Create a
"Dharma Map" for
their classroom that establishes a shared culture
of duty, respect,
andpurpose.



Module 1



The Inner Curriculum: Setting the Foundation
(90 mins)



Icebreaker



The Educator's
Dilemma - sharing a
common classroom
challenge



Core Concept



The Battlefield of
Kurukshetra as a Metaphor
for the internal struggles of
students and teachers
(doubt, distraction, anxiety).



Activity



Identifying the
"Pandavas" and
"Kauravas" within our
own minds—positive vs.
negative impulses.



Toolkit



Using this metaphor to
help students name and
externalize their
emotions.



Module 2



The Yoga of Teaching: Action vs. Anxiety
(90 mins)



Core Concept



Karma Yoga - Excellence in
Action. Mastering the art of
focusing on effort (our duty)
while detaching from fixed
outcomes.



Activity



"The Detached Lesson
Plan" - Re-framing
lesson objectives to value
process and engagement
over perfect results.



Toolkit



Language shifts—
moving from "You need to
get an A" to "Your duty is
to give your best effort to
understand this concept."



Module 3



Taming the Mind: Focus for You and Your Students
(90 mins)



Core Concept



Dharana & Dhyana
(Focus & Meditation).
The Gita on mastering
the restless mind.



Activity



Experiential practice of a
5-minute classroom
mindfulness technique
(e.g., the "Mindfulness
Jar," breath awareness).



Toolkit



Strategies for creating
"focused moments"
throughout the school day
to reset student attention
and reduce anxiety.



Module 4



Dharma and Discipline: Building an Ethical Classroom Community
(90 mins)



Core Concept



Svadharma (Personal
Duty). Moving from rule-
based compliance to
value-based
responsibility.



Activity



Co-creating a "Classroom
Dharma Charter." Students
define their dharma as
learners, and teachers
define theirs as guides.



Toolkit



Using dilemmas from the
Mahabharata for class
meetings and conflict
resolution, teaching
ethical reasoning.



Module 5



The Steady Teacher: Cultivating Equanimity and Preventing Burnout
(90 mins)



Core Concept



Stithaprajna (The Person
of Steady Wisdom).
Remaining calm amidst
the chaos of the school day.



Activity



Identifying personal
"triggers" and developing
a personal "reset
routine" based on Gita
principles.



Toolkit



Strategies for managing
difficult interactions with
equanimity and
compassion.



Module 6



Integration & Action Planning
(90 mins)



Core Concept



Educators develop one
lesson plan or unit
outline that integrates
one Gita principle.



Activity



Sharing and refining
ideas in small groups.



Toolkit



Each participant commits
to one actionable strategy
they will implement in
the next week.



Investment in Your School's Ecosystem:



Facilitator-led workshop for up to 30 educators.



A comprehensive digital workbook with activities, lesson ideas,and key take aways.



(Optional)
One 60-minute follow-up virtual coaching session for implementation support.



A curated list
of
stories and parables ready for classroom use.



A certificate
of
completion
for
participating educators.