Hari Om! Parents,
We began class with starting prayers. For chanting we started with the
famous chant Bhadram Karnebhih- Shanthi path of many Upanishads.
Students took turns to repeat and learn this. In meditation, we turned
our awareness to the physical body, breath and mind, practicing
dissociating from these bodies which we intimately think of as I, and
focusing on the point from which these are experienced. The students
may not see it this way initially, but with repeated practice,
attention can be brought to that seat of awareness.
We brought up the topics of the week that have been dominating air
waves. The war in Ukraine and Will Smith's slapping of Chris Rock at
the Oscars. How does our Hindu lens help us see these events? A
student shared that her neighbor was collecting supplies and sending
them through a local contact in Ukraine. That is certainly something
we can do to help those suffering. We have also been praying for a
solution to emerge so pain can end.What are some other ways to help?
We have been learning about values- Ahimsa being called paramo
dharmaha. Will Smith was violent in action while Chris Rock was seen
as violent in his words. Standing up for what he thought was right, as
against compassion to others may have been the struggle . But as a
public figure, knowing his actions will be watched by millions, did
Will not owe it to think more carefully before acting?
We then started our lesson - Samskaras- rituals associated with
various stages of life as purification. The students were assigned
various samskaras which they individually researched and presented to
the class. Vivaaha, Garbhadana,Namakarana, Karnaveda, Choodakarma,
Annaprasna were presented to the class.We asked the students to share
who they were named after, if they knew the names of their
grandparents, if they'd had their ears pierced. Personal sharing, and
participation makes class come alive for all and it is our effort and
intention to encourage this.
For Garbadhana we told the story of Subadhra and Hiranyakasipu's wife
Kayadu. Kayadu lived in Rishi Narada's ashram before giving birth to
Prahlada. She had satsanga with Rishi Narada. Prahlada, as we know,
was one of the biggest bhaktas of Lord Narayana even though his father
was an evil man. The conclusion was that the to be mother should be
kept happy and in good spirits for her child to be born healthy.
We will continue with a few more samskaras next week.
Our next Bala Vihar class is on April 8th.
Ramanavami celebrations are being held in the ashram April 9th and
10th. Please plan to attend.
Pranams
Uma and Nirmala