Gerald D'Cunha

"And no one will listen to us until we listen to ourselves.” -       Marienne Williamson O ne reason why I took up teaching was to overcome my shyness and stage fear. The same was the reason why I started THE DAWN CLUB and have spent about three decades helping little ones and young ones to overcome their shyness and stage fear… I still teach… I still help… yes, for the same reason. What is the use of our education if we are not able to face our own fear of speaking in public? I haven’t overcome my own shyness and fear fully… I still feel nervous and anxious. But, that very state keeps me alive and going! A greater section of mankind has the fear of stage. The ones who don’t have it… well, I consider them, really, fortunate! I am nor a psychologist. Hence, I will not speak from that perspective… I will speak from my own experience and struggle. I had a childhood - and, particularly, youth ...

Pic.:Sherry Haridas “For a tree to become tall and tough,  it must grow tough roots among the rocks.” -          Friedrich Nietzsche             T here is a garden, barely some distance away from my classes. It is known as ‘Chimney garden’... and, I really do not know why it is called so. But, just go and look there, early in the morning: it is packed to the brim with students, who quietly sit and study there for their up-coming exams. I have been watching this scene for years now; and let me tell you, it gives me great hope! For, I have no doubt in my mind when I say this: these are the kids who value their education... who know what a square-foot of land in Mumbai city really means... what it means for a large family to live in a single ten-by-ten room – where they cook, sleep, bathe, change clothes, watch TV, entertain and accommodate their guests, even accommodate s...

The morning Yoga session was ending.  “I am filled with love,” the Yoga teacher announced... “I am filled with love,” the class echoed.  “I love God,” the teacher declared… “I love God,” the students cried.  “God is great,” the teacher announced… “God is great,” the pupil followed.  “I am the best,” the master decreed… “I am the best,” everybody agreed. Last morning, I was passing by this temple where the Yoga class was being held. There were men and women - some elderly, some middle-aged and some young. The session was ending with those affirmations… those auto-suggestions:  “I am filled with love,”… “I love God,”…. “God is great,”…. And, “I am the best.” I could hear the chorus even after I long passed that temple… and even after hours long gone behind! In my office, I felt glad for all those people who were starting their day on such positive note. I felt glad for the teacher, too… ...