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From the Head of School
In December of 1984, I sat on the floor next to my grandmother’s stereo with my blank cassette tape loaded and my fingers holding steady, simultaneously on the “play” and “record” buttons, waiting to record a particular holiday song should it come on the radio. In the culture of my family of origin (Irish Catholic), we celebrate Christmas, and as a child it was a magical time of year. It wasn’t the gifts that made it magical, usually a coloring book, crayons, and one other small gift. Our stockings were modestly filled with nuts and fruit. What made this time magical was the all-together time with nothing else to do. The house was filled with laughter, affection, and music.
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The song I was eager to record was Let Them Know It’s Christmas Time, from the album “Feed the World.” To me, this song weaved together the joy I felt about Christmas with an awareness around the suffering of others. How is it that I can have such material abundance in my life, a healthy and thriving family, fresh water, nutritious foods at my fingertips, and at this exact moment across the world, around the corner, down the street, someone else is in so much pain, is suffering?
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One line in particular struck me: “Tonight, thank God it's them instead of you.” I replayed that specific line over and over again. I felt both helpless to do anything to elevate the suffering of others and also a deep sense of responsibility to these “others.”
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What if we could see that we are the other? That the suffering of one of us is the suffering of all of us? Krishnamurti often pointed to this fact:
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“Human beings should realize we are all one, basically. Not as an idea. As a fact. If one realizes that, profoundly, in your guts, in your blood, in your heart, and in your mind, then you are responsible. It is important to understand it is our responsibility. No matter how small the world we live in may be, if we can transform ourselves, bring about a radically different point of view in our daily existence, then perhaps we shall affect the world at large.”
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A Message from Ajay Sahgal
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As the year comes to a close, we appeal to parents, staff, and friends of the school to support the unique education that Oak Grove School offers. As you may already know, tuition covers only eighty percent of an Oak Grove education. The rest comes from people like you.
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Your gift today makes it possible to provide what is dearly cherished by all who are touched by the school. Please listen to this message from Ajay Sahgal, a parent, board member, and dedicated member of the development committee.
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As a non-profit organization, all donations are tax-deductible.
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Bringing the News
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The next issue of the Oak Grove Inquirer is in the works. Students have submitted their articles, essays, poems, and other literary work for consideration by the editorial team. Design and production of the upcoming issue begins in early January, and is then sent to the printer to be run.
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Visual & Performing Arts
Last week the high school students presented their work in the visual and performing arts. Studio Art, Digital Media, Woodworking, and Ceramics were represented via a gallery walk-through, while Dance and Music were performed live for the audience of parents, students, and staff.
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The High School Showcase is a way for the students to share their creativity, and that they did!
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Socially Speaking
A recent Instagram post —
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The high school Honor Band performs at our annual Open House.
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See more and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube:
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Silent Retreat
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This program is a unique opportunity to come together in silence at the Krishnamurti Center in Ojai, CA. The intention of this weekend program is to be a retreat in the deepest sense. It is rare that we have the opportunity to share a space in silence together; to gather together with the intention of minimizing the external distractions of the world to come in touch with the quiet space of our being.
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