Jun 3, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari OM! Parents  

 

We started class with beginning prayers followed by the students taking turns to chant Lingashtakam.

 

We then practiced SoHum meditation, by first relaxing the body and mind. With the mind relaxed we chanted the mantra Soham with each incoming (So)  outgoing breath (Hum). It is said that the breath makes the sound SoHum.

 

Being the last class we asked the students what are the important takeaways ftom this year's Balavihar classes. The students gave interesting answers. 

Some of them talked about some of the human values they would like to try and implement in their lives. It was very heartening when when many of them said they the meditation sessions were very helpful to calm themselves and would like to practice going forward. We then told them about the benefits of meditation and not to give up this sadhana. Told them the story of samudra mathanam or the churning of the ocean by the devas and Asuras as told in the Puranas. 

 

Here are two videos on Hindu Culture for you to review with your children.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeADjntuom0

 

https://youtu.be/xlBEEuYIWwY

 

The highlight of the last class was the parent visit. The parents talked about the many ways Balavihar had benefited their children and would like to continue next year. We also discussed ways in which the children could be the ambassadors to promote our Hindu Culture in their schools and colleges.

Our thanks to all the Parents 🙏

 

June 12th is our Balavihar annual day. Please plan and attend.

 

Pranams 

Uma and Nirmala 

May 13, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om! Parents,

Class review for May 6th

The class joined other grades in the temple for the performance of Guru Paduka Pooja for Gurudev's Jayanti celebration.
The children wrote select names of Gurudev from the Ashtotara on paper flowers which were strung together and offered as

Class review for May 13th

We began class with starting prayers led by the students. Some students being relatively new to Bala Vihar have yet to develop comfort and so we did it multiple times.

We did not do chanting or meditation this class but will surely do so for the next 2 classes which brings the Bala Vihar year to a close.

We did a brief reflection and writing exercise for 5 mins. The prompt was-
What does it mean to be alive?
What does it mean to be human?
What does it mean to a person?

It was interesting to hear each student understand and verbalize each of these/
Some took it biologically and said to eat, breathe, move, excrete is to be alive. Some took it figuratively and said to be open to all possibilities and live fully is to be alive.
To be human, some said is to belong to the species Homo sapiens- meaning that one is a member of a larger group.
To be a person is to have individual traits. To be a person is to be kind and compassionate is what some said.

So a sense of self is experienced both as an individual and as part of a group- and that provided the perfect place to recap and review the pancha maha yagnas.

These yagnas are all ways to express gratitude for what we receive from the earth, society, ancestors, forces of nature and rishis.

We took time to explore how our Rishis are subjective scientists who turned their minds inward and plumbed the depths of what lies underneath to understand the Truth. In their elevated state what was revealed to them is the Vedas and Hindu culture is Vedic culture based, not on conscious, deliberate composed scripture but revealed knowledge. Thus it is called apaurusheyam- not human created.

The example of Newton and his discovery of gravity and its laws and Einstein and his discovery of the relationship between energy and matter were used . Gravity existed before Newton/ but it took a Newton to observe, codify and now that is accepted as gospel truth.
Einstein's famous formula e= mc squared captures the knowledge he discovered and one may not understand how it works, but it does and one has to equip oneself with enough knowledge to unpack the formula.
In the same way, Vedic mantras pack in much and to unpack ,we must equip ourselves.

This Vedic knowledge which has been preserved and passed down by rishis and ancestors is the bedrock of Indic civilization as we know it and Brahma yagna is what we offer in reverence and gratitude.

Adding to the list of things that the class wants to know more about/ Samskaras between birth and marriage, what happens between janmas, how has Hinduism changed over time,

Our next Bala Vihar class is on May 20th

Pranams

Uma and Nirmala

Apr 29, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om,
We began class with students leading the starting prayers. How much
one learns by leading, even if it is a small, familiar chant!

After that, we reviewed the previous week's lesson on gratitude which
one expresses through Pancha Maha yagnas. Deva Yagna, Bhuta Yagna,
Manushya Yagna, Pitr Yagna and Brahma yagna.- all these cover the
range of one's social, emotional, spiritual, ecological duties- oh,
the beauty and largesse of Hindu thought!

This year's curriculum gives each student the opportunity to look
afresh at his/her rich legacy, explore a world view which is
expansive, inclusive , and to question things to develop a clearer
understanding. These ideas are the foundation to understanding the
curriculum of grades 10-12, the Bhagavad Geeta, so encourage your
children to stay with the questions, in the true Hindu spirit.

The class worked on 3 lists- Here are the responses of the class-

Things I love about Hinduism.

1. I really like Diwali
2. I like the various festivals throughout the year
3. I like that the scriptures give good guidance on various things in
life.
4. I like the stories
5. I like the various foods
6. I like the festivals, Garba
7. I like that my faith tells to respect all beings.
8. I like that my faith is flexible, not imposing.

Things I want to change in Hinduism

1. No arranged marriage because I think girls have no say
2. Why girls cannot have upanayanam?
3. Animal sacrifice
4. Caste system
5. Karma theory- how is it fair that a new born dies without getting a
chance to repair the mistakes of the past birth
6. I wish there were a clearer explanation of the ultimate joy that
saints keep hinting at

Things I want to know more about in Hinduism

1. Karma theory
2. Bhagavad Geeta, Purusha Suktam, Medha Suktam
3. Stories
4. Where gods came from
5. Origin of superstitions

The story of Shravan Kumar and Dasharatha was used to illustrate Karma
Theory in action, but still some students felt that it was not right
for Dashratha to face such a curse because it was an accident- he did
nor mean to kill Shravan.More delightful evidence that students are
engaging and thinking deeper.


On May 6, we will be meeting in person at the ashram to do Paduka
Pooja for Gurudev Jayanti (is on May 8. )Also, there are 2 stage
presentations. So do come and participate .


Nirmala and Uma

Apr 22, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om,
We started class with starting prayers led by the students.
We had an interesting conversation about each of the students' spring
breaks. From visiting friends and family, to studying for tests, to
building a PC- all things that had meaning for them and gave them joy
and which they were grateful for.

After a brief recap of the previous lesson on samskaras, we explored
the idea of gratitude further with the new lesson on Pancha yagna.
We receive from five sources and to those sources we owe a debt of
gratitude- pancha rinas.
Sometimes these are referred to as pancha maha yagnas as well, as they
are so great that they must be done daily.

Deva Yagna- To God and devatas- celestial beings or principles that
govern various cosmic phenomena
Pitr Yagna- To family and ancestors- whose contributions we build
upon, whose asserts we use
Manushya Yagna- to fellow human beings who render service to us like
farmers, grocers, garbage disposal crew,
Bhuta Yagna- to nature which provides us essentials for life like
water, oxygen, right temperature
Brahma Yagna- to knowledge, without which material or spiritual
success and joy is not possible.

To reflect daily on what we take, makes us grateful, keeps us humble
and thinking/ what can I do as an expression of this gratitude.

Hindu culture has woven practices like Kolam in the morning with rice
flour that feeds ants and birds, to daily prayers to invoke devatas,
to seva activities, to guru Pooja, to taking care of nature and the
environment .


Nirmala and Uma

Apr 8, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om! Parents,

We started class with starting prayers followed by the students
chanting Bhadram karne bhih...

For meditation, we practiced Dr. Chopra's abundance meditation and
asked ourselves what I am grateful for. After the mediation the
students listed what they were grateful for in their lives

Our topic for the week was Upasana. The students brought their Pooja
thali and we learned the steps to do Pooja on their Ishta devata.
Pujya Gurudev says look at the ideal behind the idol. We learned about
some of the ideals different deities represent in our Hindu Culture
and how we can imbibe them in our lives.
Upsana helps to curb the restless nature of our mind.
Avahana ("invocation"). The deity is invited to the ceremony from the heart.
Asana. The deity is offered a seat.
Padya. The deity's feet are symbolically washed.
Water is offered for washing the head and body
Arghya. Water is offered so the deity may wash its mouth.
Snana or abhisekha. Water is offered for symbolic bathing.
Vastra ("clothing"). Here a cloth may be wrapped around the image and
ornaments affixed to it.
Upaveeda or Mangalsutra. Putting on the sacred thread.
Anulepana or gandha. Perfumes and ointments are applied to the image.
Sandalwood paste or kumkum is applied.
Pushpa. Flowers are offered before the image, or garlands draped
around its neck.
Dhupa. Incense is burned before the image.
Jyot or Aarti. A burning lamp is waved in front of the image.
Naivedya. Foods such as cooked rice, fruit, clarified butter, sugar,
and betel leaf are offered.
Namaskara or pranama. The worshipper and family bow or prostrate
themselves before the image to offer homage.
Parikrama or Pradakshina. Circumambulation around the deity.

Our next Balavihar class is on April 22nd

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Apr 1, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

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

Mar 25, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om Parents,

We started class with beginning prayers and the students leading the
chanting of Om Namaste Astu... followed by Mahamrityunjaya mantra.
We learned verses 69 - 72 from Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita.

Our meditation was based on focusing on the turning points of the
breath. Lord Shiva says that Devi appears at these turning points of
the breath to push it in the other direction.

After a quick recap on the previous lesson on the Upanishadic
statement made famous by Swami Vivekananda we moved to the lesson
based on rhe Mahavakyas or "The 4 Great Declarations" from the 4 vedas
as classified by Vyasacharya.
After watching a video of the same we studied these powerful
statements by telling a story.
A well qualified student, called a adhikari, with an attitude of
devotion, faith and surrender goes to a spiritual teacher and asks to
teach him BrahmaVidya.
The teacher gives an objective definition of Brahman- 'Prajnanam
Brahma' or Consciousness is Brahman, as declared in the Rig Veda.
The student contemplates on this statement and understands that all
living entities are an expression of the One God. He goes back to the
teacher to check and the teacher declares to him 'Tat Tvam Asi' or
That Thou Art, as declared in the Sama Veda. He says this
Consciousness is not somewhere far away in Vaikuntha or Kailasa but to
be understood as my own Self. The students has only a limited
intellectual understanding of this. He feels how can the All pervading
Brahman be myself who is a limited individual.
He goes back to contemplate and understands and experiences, Ayamatma
Brahma or this self is Brahman, a statement from the Atharva Veda. His
mind is purified as a result of the meditation. He finally returns to
the teacher and declares Aham Brahma Asmi, a statement from the Yajur
veda.
We then discussed how we can purify our minds like rhe above student.
The answer was to change our focus in life which is to move from away
from being a materialist.
By giving examples from day to day life we can change our focus in life as below
From painting to canvas, Wave to ocean, movie to screen
Told a story about how negative emotions can color our mind and slows
down the process of achieving our goals.
The famous painter Leonardo da Vinci was working on his painting "The
last supper". It took him almost 4 years to complete the famous
painting. On analysis he found he was trying to superimpose the face
of a fellow painter whom he didn't like on Judas. Finally when he
forgave his fellow painter, the painting was completed very quickly.
The students participated in giving reasons what took the painting so
long to complete.
To move from Vikriti to Prakriti is the key to success was our conclusion.

Our next class is on April 1st
Bhagavad Gita chanting competition is on April 2nd.

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Mar 11, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om Parents,

We started class with beginning prayers followed by chanting of Maha
Mrityunjaya mantram. The students took turns in chanting and sending
well wishes to children with March birthdays and to the people of
Ukraine. We then learned verses 65 - 68 from chapter 2 of the Bhagavad
Gita.

For our mediation session we did a progressive relaxation followed by
breath awareness, focusing on clasped hands and then on the
temperature felt around the body.

After recapping last week's lesson on Faith we discussed how we can
build faith on the Law of Karma as we are all familiar with the cause
and effect principle.

Our lesson for this class was based on the famous Upanishad vakyam
'Arise Awake! and stop not until the goal is reached'.Watched
Gurudev's talk on the famous verse Karmanye vaadhikaraste... which is
verse 2:47 of the Bhagavad Gita. The students took turns to help us
understand this verse and how we can implement it in our lives to
achieve our goals.
Narrated the story briefly of Nachiketas from the Kathopanishad and
Swami Vivekanda using this vakyam to inspire the youth during India's
freedom struggle. Told the story of King Janaka having doubts about
whether he was in the waking or dream state. He questions his teacher
Ashtavakra about the reality of the waking world and rhe dream world.
The teacher taught King Janaka about the difference between waking
from our sleep every morning and spiritual awakening.
Talked about Gurudev's detachment-attachment yoga with examples. Using
Gurudev's profound quote, ' Shake off the dullness in you and wake up
to fulfill your goal',the students participated in a discussion. How
do we drop the dullness in us, or shake off the tamas in us?
'Put away my cell phone during work', 'don't procrastinate', 'do
meditation regularly' were some of the answers the students gave.
Concluded that the mind can leave the lower pleasures only if it is
attached to something higher to achieve our goals!

Reminders:
Holi celebrations on Saturday, March 19th
Bhagavad Gita competition on April 2nd. We would like students to
participate in the reading category

Our next class is on March 25th.

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Mar 4, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari OM! Parents,

We started our class with starting prayers. Some students took turns
to chant Namaste Astu Bhagavan.. and verses 62-64 from Chapter 2 of
the Bhagavad Gita.

Brni. Akalkaji visited our class and spoke to the students. She asked
them to introduce themselves followed by a favorite book they had read
recently. A couple of students mentioned they had read The Odyssey.
Akalkaji then narrated a part of the story as follows:

"Odysseus, while on his travels, comes across a one-eyed cyclops. This
cyclops captures him and his men, and keeps them in a cave, planning
on eating them later. With some quick thinking, however, Odysseus
manages to convince the cyclops that he is named "Nobody", making it
so that the cyclops shouts "Nobody is attacking me!" when Odysseus and
his companions escape"

Then she talked to them about how we can adapt this story's lessons in
our lives. Brni. Akalkaji concluded that bhagavan has blessed us with
an intellect which we should use wisely especially during difficult
circumstances. Our shastras and Pujya Gurudev have shown us the path
to live gracefully. We thank Brni. Akalkaji for joining our class and
talking to the students.

We did meditation by paying deep attention to our breath. After
several breaths we chanted Om Namah Shivaya a few times.

We then went to the topic of the day which was a discussion on Faith
or Shraddha. Had a discussion, based on the following two quotes:

Pujya Gurudev: "Faith is to believe what you do not see"

Rabindranath Tagore: "Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings
when the dawn is still dark"

We watched a video of Gurudev which distinguishes between belief and
faith. Video attached below

https://youtu.be/KsCLU4JcGJg

Told the story of a little boy in Armenia. His father had told him he
would always be there for him. One day the little boy was stuck in the
rubble when his school was struck by an earthquake. He and his friends
survived because of his Faith that his father would rescue him.
The students shared examples of faith when applied in our day to day
lives. Also gave examples how beliefs can be turned to Faith and
finally conviction.
Finally concluded that faith in the shastras and the guru can help
transform our lives for the better.

The students then sang the Arathi and recited the pledge.
Our next Bala vihar class is on March 11th.
Shlokathon competition is on March 12th.

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Feb 25, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari OM! Parents,

We started with opening prayers. As Mahasivarathri is on the 28th, all
students took turns to chant Om Namaste Astu Bhagavn...and Tryambakam.
Hopefully all will chant these maha mantras on the day.

Three JCHYKs- 2 seniors and a junior from our own balavihar came into
class to teach the lesson on the Four Purusharthas-the 4 goals or
pursuits of life- Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha.

Dharma- defined in many ways- the essential nature of a thing, like
heat of the sun, the natural order of being.
It covers ashrama dharma , which we have studied before and varna
dharma, which too we have studied.
Swadharma was emphasized on- doing one's duty. That swadharma is
greater than paratantra dharma was also emphasized. He made a clear
distinction between dharma and adharma giving examples from the
Mahabharata. The JCHYK reiterated his learning from the Bhagavad Gita
that Arjuna's swadharma as a kshatriya warrior was to fight the war to
defend his subjects and the kingdom. Related to this, the point that
was raised was that we recognize our guna make up and pick a field of
work that matches it. He also made a point that for Sant Tulsidas,
dharma meant being compassionate.

Kaama- anything that gives pleasure.So all fun filled pursuits fall in
this. We are all familiar with this as everyone desires joy and no one
plans to be miserable.The caveat is to not go overboard as that can
cause misery.

Artha- resources, wealth- It goes hand in hand with Kaama because to
get hold of means of enjoyment, one needs resources. Most of modern
life is about making enough to be able to enjoy. There is nothing
wrong with having fun or making money, but the idea is not to be stuck
here, but to step back and think about the overall meaning and purpose
of life and that too human life.

Moksha-Reflecting on life, a wise person realizes that this cycle of
sorrow and joy seems endless unless something is done to break out of
it. This can continue life after life until the mind turns inwards and
starts spiritual enquiry. This pursuit culminates in moksha-
exemplified in the lives of saints and sages. Freedom from rebirth and
binding desires was emphasized.

The JYCHK'S shared a couple of videos related to Purusharthas and
Moksha. These videos are attached here.

Purusharhas - https://youtu.be/D2t8DsOYh_0

Moksha - https://youtu.be/Rxyyx6kfwhs

We then moved to group zoom to watch grade 7 play and recited the pledge.

Our next Bala Vihar is on March 4th. Brni. Akalkaji from Chinmaya
Ramdoot will be in our class to talk to the students about our
scriptures. Hope the students will not miss this great opportunity.
Please have the children come up with questions.

Shlokathon competition is on March 12th. Last date to register for the
competition is March 4th.

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Feb 11, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari OM! Parents,

We started with beginning prayers followed by chanting Namaste Astu
Bhagavan...from Sri Rudram. Some of the children took turns in
chanting.
We then briefed the students with our spirit day activity which was
based on saints and sages.They went to the lower grades to help the
younger children with their activity. They also did an activity to
decode quotes of Pujya Gurudev from jumbled letters.

The students then participated in the assembly activities followed by
the pledge.

Our next Bala Vihar is on Feb 25th. This class will be conducted by a
few students from the JCHYK class. We hope all students can attend

Pranams

Uma and Nirmala

Feb 4, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari OM! Parents,

We began with starting prayers. As Mahashivarathri is coming up, we
started to learn Om namasthay asthu bhagawan... in our chanting
segment. It gave us all great joy that most of the students chanted
this quite fluently, with or without help.

In meditation, we did ahimsa meditation, in line with the value for
the day's class. We brought to mind the need for ahimsa toward oneself
and others, and how to fill our hearts with compassion and bravery so
that in thought, word and deed we may embody this value.

After recap of last week's value Satyam, we started to explore Ahimsa
and Daanam.

'Ahimsa paramo dharmah'- called the greatest among dharmas, it is that
inner value that beautifies the giver and recipient. Very easily, the
class was able to name Mahatma Gandhi as a champion of Ahimsa . The
class watched the powerful clip of the start of Dandi March by the
party workers led by Maulana Azad after Gandhiji had been arrested.
Peacefully, column upon column of freedom fighters came up to the
entry point guarded by soldiers of the British army, only to be caned,
beaten, sometimes on the head, on the chest, on the arms or legs.
Falling down in pain, taken away to be nursed by women led by
Mirabehn, this scene of wordless, peaceful protest exposed the
savagery of the violence unleashed by the British. We discussed this
and talked about the level of bravery needed for such action, often
dismissed as cowardice. While most of us may not be called upon to do
such actions, in our own lives, while witnessing bullying in school,
on cyberspace, we must summon the needed courage to stand up for those
who have been wronged.

https://youtu.be/yrHNig2aIjQ

We also told and discussed the story of Prince Siddhartha, later know
as The Buddha and his cousin Devadatta. Once Devadatta shot a bird on
his hunting trip. The bird was badly injured and fell to the ground.
Prince Siddharth who happened to be there picked the poor bird and
nursed it. Devadatta demanded the bird back but the Prince refused to
part with it. A sage was called to sort their fight and the sage said
' the one who gave life to the bird gets to keep it'. So the one who
follows Ahimsa is always a winner.

Daanam- translated as giving or charity.The class listed things we can
give - like money, prayers, materials like clothes, time, happiness,
smiles. The joy of giving is a natural outcome of giving, a natural
outcome also of seeing others as no different from self.We explored
the motivation behind big philanthropy which sometimes may have more
to do with desire for one's own fame.The class remembered Karna's
effortless giving and why even Krishna considered him a Daanveer over
Arjuna. We also explored this idea connected with giving that one must
consider who we are giving to, how we give, and where we give. To give
without expecting something in return, to give joyfully, to give
without rubbing it in are things the class considered important.

We then revised and learned verses 57- 61 from Chapter 2 of the
Bhagavad Gita followed by Arathi and Pledge.

Our next Bala Vihar class is on February 11th. The students should
wear their team color for a fun filled Spirit Day.

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Jan 28, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari OM! Parents,

We began class with starting prayers and then did Geeta chanting verses 57-59.
We drew attention of the class to the tortoise mentioned in verse 58
as an example of withdrawal for safety.
In meditation, we repeated tense and relax technique.

After a brief recap of varna dharma, we explored the inner value of Satya.

What is Satya? Some answers students gave were speaking truth, being
true to oneself, thought and words being aligned. The God of religion
is referred to as Truth by those who have trouble accepting God. But
that is not a problem at all, as God is the name of That Principle
which stays changeless through the 3 periods of time and Truth or
Reality are perfectly fine names. The Upanishads point out a great
definition of God- Satyam, Jnanam, Anantam.
Satyam can also be referred to as Sillence. We told a story to
illustrate this. There was a sage in a forest meditating under a tree.
A thief comes by and hides behind the tree. The police come looking
for the thief and ask the sage about him.. The sage decides to remain
silent and did not get the thief into trouble.

We told the story of Samrat Ashoka. After the deadly Kalinga war the
king had a transformation and decides to life a life of truth and
renunciation
The children narrated the story of Yuddishtira, the Pandava prince who
was an embodiment of truth but swayed away once and had to pay the
price for his actions.

We looked at who we consider role models of satya in our lives. Some
students talked about teachers in their lives who always spoke the
truth, even when unpleasant. On being asked if they could name any
models from the Puranas, we were surprised that none could recall
Harishchandra. Someone called Hanuman a model of truth. For the modern
icon, a student named Mahatma Gandhi.We then shared the story of
Mahatma Gandhi as a young boy, refusing to cheat, even when instructed
by his teacher to make his school look good to the school inspector.
Satya can only be sustained in a mind full of Satva guna and as
students pointed out- when one speaks the truth, there is no stress or
fear.
Class ended early to watch grade 8 play.

Our next Bala Vihar class is on February 4th.

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Jan 21, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om! Parents,

We started with opening prayers, followed by chanting of Bhagavad
Geeta Chapter 2 verses 55- 59.

In the meditation section, we practiced forgiveness meditation by
bringing into our mind anyone we feel wronged by, but whom we must
forgive to feel free and light. It could even be our own self that we
need to show compassion for mistakes committed.

After a brief review, we explored the 3 gunas in Prakriti- Satva,
Rajas, Tamas. Satva- the quality of peace, reflection, creativity.
Rajas- that of leadership, action, organizing. Tamas- that of inertia,
laziness, following directions to carry out work. Within an
individual, through the day and through the years, there is ebb and
flow of all 3 gunas. Likewise, within any society, there are
individuals who are predominantly one guna and thus arises the varna
dharma- much misunderstood in the west as an unfair social construct
that treats humans unequally.

All societies have and need people who are thinkers, planners,
teachers- who invest their time and effort in learning and passing
that down to others. Such individuals are Brahmanas.
All societies have and need people who will organize teams, lead them
to execute given plans. People of valor who can take on the task of
protecting society. Such individuals are Kshatriyas.
All societies have and need people who know where and how to procure
resources, how to create wealth for all to benefit from. A great plan
and planner need resources for success. Individuals who create wealth
are Vaishyas.
All societies have and need people who will show up and do the actual
work, using the plan and resources.Such individuals are called Sudras.

An efficient system based on guna and karma has come to be understood
now only as based on birth and yes, wherever people are treated
unjustly, it behooves one to stand up and speak for them.

The class took an interesting survey to discern what guna is dominant
within each of us. Based on questions about preferences for food,
entertainment, friends etc. We can see our own gunas clearly. This can
help us to refine ourselves.

Our next class is on January 28th.

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Jan 7, 2022 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om! Parents,

Happy Makar Sankaranthi to everyone!

We began class with starting prayers and in the chanting section, we
continued with Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 2. Currently we are on verse 54
and would like to encourage all to register for Geeta chanting
competition, as grade 9 has the reading option.

For meditation, we did Maitri upasana or wishing good health, peace
and happiness to everyone on this earth. We slowly widened our circle
starting with ourself, family, teachers etc, and finally the whole
earth.

It gave us all great joy to learn from one of our students that her
mother took oath of public office on the Bhagavad Geeta.

After a brief recap that Hindu culture is a Vedic culture that gives
reality and validity to not just what the senses perceive, but what is
beyond these, we explored ashrama dharmas. Brahmacharya, Grihastha,
Vanaprastha, Sannyaasa. Phases/stages of life loosely translated as
student, householder, retired individual's intensive spiritual
studies, renunciate.

Entry into brahmacharya through the samskara of upanayanam was
discussed. In olden times, what was available to men and women, to all
varnas, is now a practice only for men, and certain varnas.The
brahmachari was initiated into Gayathri mantra and this is available
to all of us to chant. Dedicated to the Sun God- the very
personification of knowledge, and in more gross terms, the very
sustainer of life, this mantra opens one's heart in gratitude for the
gift of life and light and becomes a source of strength especially
during times of crisis.
Some children chanted the Gayatri mantra and shared some events of
their upanayanam ceremony.
In brahmacharya, sole focus is on acquiring knowledge in material
and spiritual fields, so the individual is prepared for what life will
bring. Assuming a life span of 100 years, the first 25 are
brahmacharya.

Grihastha- the ashrama in which one takes up a job and starts a
family. From age of 25-50. Samskaras in this ashram will be looked at
later.

Vanaprastha-from 50 to 75 years. By the age of 50, an individual has
created wealth for self and family, the family is more or less
independent , and now he/she can spend more time and effort in
scriptural study, reflection to get into the purpose of life and that
too in human form.

Sannyasa- from 75. After scripture study, the individual renounces
family, society and focusses entirely on owning the knowledge gained
in earlier ashramas.

We will next be studying the Varna dharma, which is perhaps the most
misunderstood Hindu idea.

Our next Balavihar is on January 21st

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Dec 17, 2021 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari OM! Parents,

We began with starting prayers. In the chanting segment, the students
took turns chanting a verse of Lingashtakam. It is a beautiful chant,
with a beautiful meter and a great melody. So even without knowing the
meaning, just the sounds of the words will create an energy field that
is uplifting and inspiring. For all the rational skeptics out there,
try listening and chanting to experience the benefits.

For our meditation, we turned our awareness to abundance within and
without, leading onto acknowledgement of gratitude.

We continued with deeper exploration of karma. Using the presentation
by HAF about karma (see attached PPT), we looked at the broad ways to
classify karma -sanchita, prarabdha, agami, kaamya, nitya, naimittika,
nishedha. While prarabdha is a strong force, equally strong is
purushartha, our will in the present to do actions that
offset/mitigate/ enhance past actions.
Concluded what we meet in life is prarabdha and how we meet it is purushartha.

We watched the class presentation on the pledge.

Thanks to all who contributed to Annadaanam on Saturday. Those who
missed, no worries- you can still contribute by Venmo.
Please spend the holidays safely and gratefully with your loved ones.
We will meet virtually in Jan.
Until then...take care!

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Dec 10, 2021 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om! Parents,

We started with opening prayers. In our chanting section of class, the
students took turns to chant Lingashtakam and we completed it as well.

In meditation, we did meditation using the aalambana of Om, focussing
on the silence between successive Oms as well as focussing on the
space between the eyebrows trying to awaken our higher intellect.

Continuing on with the curriculum content, we laid the foundation that
Hindu culture is Vedic culture.We explored what Vedas are, what we
mean when we say they are apaurusheya, not the product of a human
intellect.The example of Newton and his laws of gravity were used to
illustrate the point that gravity always existed- what Newton did was
catch or uncover its existence, devise mathematics to show it and
codify its laws. Similarly Truth, Infinity, God, Consciousness ( all
words for the same Principle) was "caught" or uncovered" by rishis,
wise seers who shared what was revealed to them as Vedas or shruti.

Knowing that most people would not be able or prepared to understand
such subtle teaching as in the Vedas, the Masters, in their
compassion, composed Smritis, based on the shruti, explaining the same
truth, in simpler manner.
That same Truth as lived by avataras, was written down as Itihasa-
Ramayana and Mahabharata making it far more relatable.

We revere and prostrate to Veda Vyasa, who compiled the Vedas, wrote
the Mahabharata with the gem of Bhagavad Geeta in it, wrote the 18
puranas- we cannot imagine Hindu dharma without his seminal work.

Closer to our times, 8th century AD, Adi Shankara, revived Hindu
Dharma by traveling around India on foot, writing commentaries on
Vedic texts and devotional chants, establishing matts to preserve,
protect and propagate dharma. His work in Sanskrit is made available
to us in English due to Gurudev's work and for that we are deeply
grateful.

The wisdom of the Vedas can be divided into sections- Karma, Upasana and Jnana

In class today, we took a look at Karma.
Understanding Karma to be action, we looked at various types of Karma-
Nitya, Naimiitika, Kaamya, Nishedha.

Nitya- daily activities
Naimittika- occasional activities
Kaamya- desire prompted activities
Nishedha- prohibited activities
The children cited examples for the above to understand it better.

Please ask your children about these.
We then continued with Geeta chanting verses 49-51.

Some requests-
1.Please have your children log in on time, with handbook, My prayers
book ready so that they can follow or lead prayers when they get a
turn.
2.Next Friday is our class presentation on the Chinmaya Mission
pledge- the content, lines, tech support is all by the students.
Please watch and support them.
3. Annadaanam is next Saturday- Dec 18. Please check the whatsapp
group for sign in sheet and help by signing up to bring food, or by
sending Venmo donations.
4.Last, but not the least, we understand the challenges of reduced
engagement, focus and participation by this age, exacerbated by remote
learning.We encourage constructive dialogue at home so the students
come in, with right intent and purpose and leave class richer for
having received the wisdom of our scriptures.

Our next class is on December 17th.

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Dec 3, 2021 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om! Parents,

We started class with the beginning prayers followed by learning verse
5,6 of Lingashtakam with the children leading the chanting.
We then completed our video recording of our stage presentation in
class. This year the children will be presenting our Mission pledge
and what we stand for. The presentation is on December 17th.
This was followed by a recap of our previous lessons from Hindu Culture.
Discussed terms such as Prakriti, Vikriti,, Samskriti...

We then revised verses 39 to 47 from Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita.
This too was led by the children.
This year's Bhagavad Gita competition has a reading category. We are
encouraging the children to participate in this category.

Our annual fundraiser event is on December 11th. Please plan to
attend and support our ashram. Thank you!

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Nov 19, 2021 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om! Parents,

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

We started class with our beginning prayers followed by meditation.
This week our meditation was on, Om chanting. After doing a
progressive relaxation of the body, we tried to quieten our mind by
chanting Om, and then trying to delve into the silence between 2
Om's.We did this exercise a few times.

We then worked on our class performance which is related to our
understanding of the pledge. Some of the children are working hard on
this. We hope to pre-record our performance soon. Our goal is to
understand the deeper meaning the pledge which is our tribute to Pujya
Gurudev

There is no Bala Vihar class on Nov 26th. Our next class is on December 3rd.

Our annual fundraiser is on Dec 11th. This year it will be virtual.
Please plan to attend.

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala

Nov 12, 2021 - Grade 9 (Friday)

Hari Om! Parents,

We began with starting prayers and meditation. This week our
meditation was about being aware of the present moment or the NOW.
We tried to stay with the knowledge of our clasped hands, the
temperature around us, and our breath. Spending some time in the
present moment helps us to slowly become less affected by regrets of
our past and anxieties about the future.

Since 9th grade stage presentation is in Dec, we took time in class to
further develop ideas shared by students and teachers earlier in class
and in WA groups. The theme is the Chinmaya Mission pledge .We are
studying it in detail, finding audio, video clips from various sources
that reflect our deeper understanding of lines that we can live by,
day in and day out.

Please ask your children about this and encourage their interest and
enthusiasm into what a pledge is, how timeless and universal our
Mission pledge is, and how it can continue to be a guiding force in
the years to come as well.

Nirmala and I are happy to connect with all of you through the WA
group, email, text or phone. Please don't hesitate to contact us with
any questions, comments or concerns.

Mark your calendars - Dec 11, 7 pm EST is a live virtual show Surabhi
2021- our annual fundraiser. Please watch and support our mission.
Our next Bala Vihar class is on December 19th.

Pranams
Uma and Nirmala