Afterword ”The Courage to Be Disliked”.

Masterclass concluded the discussion on the book.

The Courage to be Disliked and introduce the sequel The Courage to Be Happy

Key Takeaways

• Book 1 Concluded: The group finished Courage to be Disliked, clarifying that Adlerian psychology is a philosophy, not a falsifiable science, and that happiness requires continuous action.

• Book 2 Announced: The sequel, The Courage to be Happy, will be the next book, with a one-week break for participants to acquire copies.

• GSA’s Mission: The Good Schools Alliance (GSA) was introduced, focusing on its “3 Rs” (Reading, Reflection, Relationships) and “6 Cs” (Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, Character, Citizenship).

• Scholarship Initiative: A new scholarship program was launched to bring more Youth into the masterclass, with the first 3,000 INR donation funding a student from PYDS Learning Academy.

Topics

Concluding Courage to be Disliked

• The session concluded with the afterword, resolving the Youth’s scepticism about Adler’s ideas.

• Core Question: Is Adlerian psychology a science?

  • Answer: No, not in the strict sense of being falsifiable. It is a philosophy for practical use.

• Philosophy vs. Religion:

  • Religion: Explains the world via stories (e.g., gods).

  • Philosophy: Explains the world via abstract concepts.

  • Analogy: Philosophy is an endless walk on a pole of inquiry; religion is jumping off, satisfied with a final answer.

• Socratic Wisdom: The Philosopher’s stance aligns with Socrates’ “I know that I know nothing,” emphasising continuous learning over claiming absolute knowledge.

Introducing the Good Schools Alliance (GSA)

• Sandeep Dutt introduced GSA, the foundation running the masterclass.

• Mission: Focus on three Rs → Reading, Reflection, and Relationships.

• Framework: Develops “6 Cs” in participants:

  • Critical Thinking

  • Creativity

  • Collaboration

  • Communication

  • Character

  • Citizenship

• Programs:

  • Teachers Academy: Saturday sessions for educators.

  • MyGoodSchool: Sunday sessions for students.

• Resources:

  • Blog: HappyTeacher.in

  • YouTube: Session recordings and summaries.

New Participants & Scholarship Program

• New participants were introduced to diversify the group and bring fresh perspectives.

• Diana: Principal, PYDS Learning Academy (charitable school for underprivileged children in Uttarakhand).

• Rudra: Single father joining to learn about education.

• Khushie: 8th-grade student from Lotus Petal Foundation, attending on scholarship.

• Scholarship Program:

  • Goal: Bring more Youth into the masterclass.

  • Funding: The first 3,000 INR donation from Rudra will fund a scholarship for a student from Diana’s school (PYDS).

  • Rationale: Creates a “train-the-trainer” model, fostering dialogue between the student and principal to apply learnings in their school community.

Next Steps

• Group: Take a one-week break to acquire copies of The Courage to be Happy.

• Diana: Nominate a student from PYDS Learning Academy for the scholarship.

• Rudra: Connect with the scholarship recipient to foster dialogue.

• Sandeep Dutt: Begin The Courage to be Happy in the next session.
  
  FATHOM-AI supported the note-taking.

Life is a Series of Moments

Masterclass:
Read together from The Courage To Be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi, discuss the chapter “Life is a series of moments,” and complete the conversation between the Youth and the Philosopher.

Key Takeaways

• Reject the “kinetic” life model (a linear path to a future goal) for an “energeal” one (finding fulfilment in the process itself).

• Live in the “here and now” by shining a “bright spotlight” on each moment, which makes the past and future irrelevant distractions.

• Assign your own meaning to life; it has no inherent purpose. The “guiding star” for this is the contribution to others.

• Change yourself to change your world; it’s a personal responsibility that requires courage to start, regardless of others’ cooperation.

Topics

GSA & Learning Forward Updates

• Sandeep Dutt reviewed the GSA website (schooleducation.com) to clarify the oorganisation’smission and programs.

• Mission: Personal and social development across 10 attributes (e.g., identity, communication).

• Core Belief: Schools should focus on service, skill, sport, and study.

• Programs:

  • Teachers Academy: Saturday 3 PM sessions for school faculties.

    • Cost: ₹10,000 annual donation per school.

    • Capacity: Currently serving 6 schools; can accept 1–2 more.

    • Recent Session: “Ecological Wisdom” with Project FUEL.

  • Masterclass: Saturday, 5:30 PM book club.

  • My Good School: Sunday session.

  • Brewing Knowledge Fridays: Friday session on learning and assessments.

• Resources:

  • YouTube Channel: Redesigned for more straightforward navigation.

  • Impact Study: Now live on the website.

  • Special Projects: Page updated with the Dune School Old Boys’ Society.

Recap of Last Session: Shalini Gupta summarised the key takeaway from the January 10 session:

• Disruptive behaviour, especially in children, often signals a need to be seen and heard.
• Adults can normalise abnormal behaviour by seeking superiority.
• Adlerian foundations for a healthy self: freedom, contribution, and belonging.
• True self-worth comes from contributing to the community, not from seeking recognition.

Chapter Discussion: “Life is a series of moments”

• The discussion contrasted two views of life:

  • Kinetic Life (Linear): A path to a future destination (e.g., a mountaintop).

    • Problem: The majority of life becomes a “tentative” period en route to a goal, making happiness dependent on a future outcome.

  • Energeal Life (Moment-by-Moment): A series of complete moments lived in the “here and now.”

    • Analogy: “Dancing”—the act itself is the goal, not a destination.

    • Principle: Each moment is complete and fulfilling on its own, regardless of the final outcome.

• The “Bright Spotlight” Metaphor:

  • Focusing on the past or future creates a “dim twilight” that prevents earnest living.

  • A “bright spotlight” on the present moment makes the past and future irrelevant distractions.

• Assigning Meaning:

  • Life has no inherent meaning; individuals must assign it themselves.

  • The “Guiding Star”: Contribution to others.

    • This provides a compass for a free and happy life, independent of others’ approval.

• Personal Transformation:

  • The world changes when an individual changes.

  • Analogy: Putting on glasses for the first time reveals a clear, vivid world.

  • Adler’s Advice: “Someone has to start... You should start. With no regard to whether others are cooperative or not.”

Next Steps

• All Participants:

  • Join the “My Good School” session on Sunday, January 18, featuring Karthik Bajoria.

  • Attend the final chapter reading (the afterword) on January 24, Tuesday, January 24.

• Sandeep Dutt:

  • Host a reception at the book café on Monday, January 19 (5–7 PM) for Governing Council members and guests.

• Khushi:

  • Invite Principal Srividya Ma’am to the Masterclass session.
    
    Notes courtesy: Fathom AI