When students arrived, they'd find Ghanima's classroom in the usual set-up, filled with oversized pillows and cushions and plenty of divans and other comfortable seating options.

"It sounds like you all had an utterly wretched weekend." Ghanima, don't sound so cheerful about that. "So, since we talked about Hinduism last week, you can watch a movie about one of its great epics today."

She gestured around the room, where there were plates of fresh fruit and various types of teas available. "Get comfortable, or if you really do need to retreat to another space and leave class today, you have permission."