Hari Om Parents,
Here is a brief summary of Balavihar class activities for December 12, 2021.
1. We commenced our class with three OMs followed by the opening prayers.
2. We then discussed the assignment from our last week's Balavihar session. In our last class, students were asked to make a list of items that they don't like to do; knowing well that doing that is good for them. In our class, children eagerly shared their daily responsibilities such as doing their laundry, folding their clothes, keeping their room clean, taking trash out, finishing their homework, that they either avoid doing or postpone till the last minute. The students expressed their understanding of the importance of cultivating good habits. Some of them said that they will make efforts to practice doing those activities, will make good choices, spend more time with their families, help with the chores, and will share with the class how they were making progress with their individual goals.
3. We then continued with our journey of Saints.
Three children presented about the life, teachings, and key message of Suradasaji, Sant Kabira dasaji, and Sri Ramana Maharishi.
At the end of each presentation, we had an interesting discussion where kids asked questions about the saint's life. The presenters quizzed the kids about the key aspects of the saints that they talked about.
After Kabira dasaji's presentation, we asked the kids to define a 'cool' person. They came up with different ways to define a cool person, we then explained that someone who doesn't lose his/her cool, who has good manners, and holds good values is a 'cool' person. We shared a 'doha' of Kabira, and how he placed importance on speaking the truth. The result of speaking truthfully and acting truthfully can result only in happiness. The students agreed to adopt these simple yet profound values of Kabira dasaji.
From Sri Ramana Maharishi's life, we learnt that silence was the source of strength. We wrote text without any gap and asked the children to read what it meant. We explained how the space, gaps in between the words were necessary. When we talk also, the gap, the pause between words is important. Importance of getting enough sleep, resting to rejuvenate, and feeling energetic. We asked the children to try practicing silence and to focus on every little activity they do in their lives e.g., while walking to their bus stop, while eating, while spending time with their family, while doing their homework, etc. Silence doesn't mean just no audible sound. Children were asked to be thoughtful, to take pauses, and learn to capitalize on their inner strengths.
We really appreciate the effort taken by the students and the parents in helping them with the research, preparing the slides and presentation.
4. Gita Chanting:
We reviewed verses 39 through 44 from Chapter 2 Saankhya Yoga, kids getting turns for chanting verses assigned.
We learnt verse 45. We followed Swamiji's chanting video and we repeated it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MEh3vCkSWw
We concluded our class with aarti, and pledge led by one of the students.
Our next class is on December 19th.
Required Materials:
My Prayers book
Balavihar Handbook-
https://www.chinmayavrindavan.org/balavihar/parents-corner/handbook
Reminders:
House Points: Please send your child's individual chanting recordings for earning house points as well. The recording video link can be shared with geeta@chinmayavrindavan.org with your session, and grade.
Pranaam,
Subha and Rekha