May 15, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

May 15, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

Hari om Parents, 

We did a short recap of the Three Tendencies (Gunas). 

We started the topic of the day - "The Fundamental Pursuits". Fundamental pursuits or human goals are called "Purushartha". Purusha (Human) + Artha (Artha has different meanings, in this case it means Goal). 

The fundamental pursuits are desires of different forms. They can be:

• Desire for Dharma 

• Desire for Wealth

• Desire for enjoyment/fun

• Desire for Freedom

The following are scriptural names for these: 

• Dharma - The ethics or the rules that we have to follow. 

• Artha - This is the desire for wealth or monetary gain.

• Kama - These are the desires for enjoyment.

• Moksha - This is the ultimate goal or steps we take to go through Liberation/Freedom.

Dharma is the rules we are expected to follow. Why should we be Dharmic? Because ….

• Follow traffic rules else there are accidents

• Follow music rules else there is cacophony

• Queues else there is chaos

Artha means Wealth or the need for enrichment. Enrichment has two aspects - outer and inner.  Outer enrichment requires effort and money and Inner enrichment by Dharma, helps in self-improvement. We read a verse by Sri Tulsidas where he is urging us to focus on inner enrichment. 

Enjoyments of the world are called Kama. They are eight in number:

• Words: Words we hear and read, and sounds we hear that give us pleasure

• Touch: Happiness through sense of touch

• Form: Pleasure through Form

• Rasa: Pleasure through taste

• Smell: Pleasure through sense of smell

• Maana (exaggerated self-respect): Pleasure to our ego

• Glory: When we hear glory of our name

• Rest (Being Lazy): Happiness by doing nothing

We discussed different examples in our day-to-day lives where we are influenced by these desires. 

Moksha is To be liberated, to graduate from the earth. This is the final goal for us. However, it is very difficult. We read a story where a man asks Swami ji how to get Moksha. The swamiji, without answering his question, dunks his head under water for some time. After he comes out, the swami asks the man what he was thinking about. The man replied that all he could think of was how to get a gasp of air. He did not think of his children, his family or anything. The swami ji then said that only when you have that kind of intense desire for Moksha will you get Moksha.  

We re-emphasized that for us, it is difficult to give up desires. So, we need to make sure that our desires for Kama & Artha are done in a Dharmic way. If they are not then lives get destroyed. We did read 2 bhagwad geeta shlokas related to how desires get expressed and the other one on what happens if desires are not checked. 

As a final exercise, we did a quiz on categorizing 10 statements of activity as Dharma, Artha, Kama & Moksha. 

Other Sunday AM, Grade 9 2021-22 class summaries in  https://cmnjparentportal21-22.blogspot.com/search/label/Gr%209%20-%20Sunday%20AM

Regards,
Rukmani & Partha

May 8, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

May 8, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

Hari om Parents, 

We had Guru Paduka Pooja at Chinmaya Vrindavan. We met a few students at the Ashram at the pooja.

Other Sunday AM, Grade 9 2021-22 class summaries in  https://cmnjparentportal21-22.blogspot.com/search/label/Gr%209%20-%20Sunday%20AM

Regards,
Rukmani & Partha

May 1, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

May 1, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

Hari om Parents, 

After our starting prayers and a recap of last week's class - "The Four Stages of Life", we started the next chapter - "The Three Tendencies". 

We started the class with a quiz to evaluate our tendencies. There were a set of general questions related to our likes and choices. The answers to these questions were bucketed under S,R & T. 

We then started the class defining S, R & T as Sattvic, Rajasic & Tamasic qualities. These three qualities are there in each one of us. Their influence varies with time, place and situation. We should not judge anyone based on the scores we got. It is meant for us to analyze ourselves and see if it aligns with what we perceive of ourselves. 

The three tendencies are also called Gunas. Gunas in Sanskrit means rope. So, tendencies bind us. And we should not necessarily think in terms of good gunas or bad gunas but use good gunas to cross the influence of gunas. 

The three tendencies/gunas and their influence by nature is given below:

• Sattvaguna - nature of knowledge

• Rajoguna - nature of activity

• Tamoguna - nature of inertia

Sattvaguna is the nature of knowledge. A desire for knowledge and the qualities of love, faith, kindness, and compassion.

Rajoguna is nature of activity Numerous desires and ambitions are its manifestations

Tamoguna is the nature of inertia. It manifests as dullness and little interest or ambition of any kind

We saw a number of videos by Swami Chinmayananda and discussed the points he mentioned about gunas there.

Other Sunday AM, Grade 9 2021-22 class summaries in  https://cmnjparentportal21-22.blogspot.com/search/label/Gr%209%20-%20Sunday%20AM

Regards,
Rukmani & Partha

Apr 24, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

Apr 24, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

HariOm Parents,

We began with the opening prayers.

In our previous class we learned the four Mahavaakyas, or the Great Declarations, taken from the four Vedas. We repeated the four statements once again and explained its essence. 

That is, all the four great sayings express the insight that the individual self, Jiva, which appears as a separate existence is in essence a part, Atman, and manifestation of the whole Brahman, the consciousness. 

The lesson for the day:

The Four stages of Life

Our scriptures talk about Four Varnas, Three Gunas and now we are going to look at the four stages of Life!

Let's discuss some questions we may have, like,

Why define it? 

Does it mean that it applies to all?

Why not do something different?

How do I divide it if I do not know how long it is?

In an individual's life span, it goes through different stages. We grow, we change, we age etc.

So, it is valid that we divide our lives into four stages.

The Brahmacharya Ashrama    the student's life

The Grhastha Ashrama            the householder's life

The Vanaprastha Ashrama       the life of retirement

The Sanyasa Ashrama             the life of total renunciation

Considering a human being's life to be 100 years!, the life span is divided roughly into four stages of twenty-five years each.

We watched a video clip explaining the four asramas.

Each stage defines a role that you must play. This is more like a guideline. You need to think and apply. Each stage is a combination of fulfilling your desires and to evolve.

Since you are all students, we can focus on the Brahmacharya Ashrama more.

Scriptures tell us that the essential duties of the student are to be totally devoted to study and acquiring knowledge, and show devotion and respect for the teacher. Also, not just learn to read and write but understand the moral, ethical, cultural and spiritual aspects of life. Students in this stage are taught the ultimate goal of life and how to prepare for it.

This is a time for gaining as much knowledge as possible including art, music, sports and literature. This is a time to equip yourself so as to lead a noble, respected and a responsible life in the later stages. 

The Grhastha Asrama or a householder: This is a very responsible and significant stage in one's life. The householder's life is supreme because all the other three asramas depend upon the householder to take care of and maintain their welfare. In this stage a householder can train himself/herself in the values of love, kindness, sacrifice, service and charity. There are many duties prescribed for a householder. But he should not get stuck in the household but rise above it, that is to rise above ego and personal, selfish interests and prepare for the next stage of life, Vanaprastha. 

Vanaprastha Asrama: It literally means "one who lives in the forest", but is interpreted as one living away from family, children, society and withdrawn from social activities. In this stage one slowly withdraws from hectic, worldly activities and devotes more time to spirituality, to contemplate on Brahman, the Absolute Reality. Again this stage prepares one for the next asrama, Sanyasa. 

Sanyasa Ashrama: This is where one completely renunciates actions with desires and gives up the fruits of actions. In modern context, it is leading a life of total detachment and completely absorbed in realizing the higher goal, to become one with Brahman.

Questions

What is my stage in Life

What are the qualities I must have in this stage?

The Four Stages of Life - Exercise

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_FwAQNwqCxy84vv9iJlYc1K3Ec-_6upm3CZe3fvk0w4/edit?usp=sharing

Closing Prayers

Other Sunday AM, Grade 9 2021-22 class summaries in  https://cmnjparentportal21-22.blogspot.com/search/label/Gr%209%20-%20Sunday%20AM

Regards,
Rukmani & Partha

Apr 10, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

April 10, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

Hari om Parents, 

After our starting prayers and a recap of last week's class - "The four Varnas/Castes", we started the next chapter - "The Mahavakyas and how to apply them". 

Mahavakyas or Great Declarations are taken from the Upanishads. They are pithy statements that sound cryptic and attempt to make us realize that we are more than what we currently perceive ourselves as. They make us "think" and "re-think" OR "see" or "re-see". 
Great declarations are similar to great statements made in contemporary history like the statements "I have a dream…" by Martin Luther King. 

The four Mahavakyas of our scriptures are: 

• प्रज्ञानम् ब्रह्म / Prajnanam Brahma: Translated as "Consciousness is Brahman" from 3.1.3 Aitreyopanishad, Rig Veda

• तत् त्वम् असि / Tat Tvam Asi: Translated as "That thou art" from 6.8.7 Chandogya Upanishad, Sama Veda

• अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म / Ayam Atma Brahma: Translated as "This Self is Brahman" from 1.2 Mandukya Upanishad, Atharva Veda

• अहम् ब्रह्म अस्मि / Aham Brahma-Asmi: Translated as "I am Brahman" from 1.4.10 Brihadarankyaka Upanishad, Yajur Veda

In the mahavakyas, there is a reference made to Brahman. Brahman is derived from the root word "Br" which means "Big". This is distinct from Brahmin. This is one aspect that is sometimes missed in translations and the meaning then gets skewed. Brahman is the consciousness, the awareness that encompasses all. 

The mahavakyas are meant for us to realize Brahman. But why should we try to achieve Brahman? The hindu scriptures do not prescribe a specific path for anyone. It is an individual's choice. We always try to get more experience and knowledge in our worldly lives, sometimes for monetary benefit, sometimes for the sake of experience or knowledge.
Realizing Brahman is realizing the highest level of knowledge, awareness and consciousness. This gets us to the Bliss layer. The path to getting there is by thinking differently. "Feel" to go beyond feeling, "think" to go beyond thinking.

We saw a video on how the 2-dimensional entities perceive 3-dimensional entities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a09pUQxSB4o (from 00:32 to 5:22). Just like the 2-dimensional entities find it really difficult to understand 3-dimensional entities, there may be aspects within us that need to be realized by approaching them differently.  Mahavakyas are attempting to do that. 

Adi Shankaracharya wrote "The perceiver of a pot is ever distinctly different from the pot". This is the seer and seen divide. As long as we have this perceiver and perceived divide, or Subject and Object divide, we know we have not yet identified our true Self. The approach taken to identify the true Self is different from the approach we take in the outside world. We also saw a video on the story of the 10th man - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMRbh3M4AGw (from 38:39 to 40:43). This is a story of 10 people who swam across a river, thought one among them drowned and started crying. When a knowledgeable person walking by helped them by showing them to count to 10 by pointing the finger at themselves too. The story can be interpreted in many ways. One such interpretation is that the knowledge of pointing the finger that was counting outside to turn inwards is a very significant step. That is where the Self is. The Mahavakyas are also trying to tell us this. 

We read a story of how six blind men, each of them touching a different part of an elephant, emphatically asserting that they knew what the elephant looked like. This went on till a person with sight told them that they are all right. How can that be true? It can be realized only when you see the elephant in total. We too need to realize that maybe we have got only a part of the whole truth. So, we need to be humble and understanding to other truths too. 

At the same time, we should not stop exploring our full potential. "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

We also read a story of when Yudhishtara is sent to Hell for lying once in his life for a short time. His presence soothes the pain in the hell for others. Later, Yudhishtara exchanges his good deeds for getting them all out of hell. He is unfortunately asked to stay in hell. However, his good deeds and actions there, transforms hell into heaven. We should try this in our lives too. If we have good conduct and behavior, we can make the environment pleasing, even in the most difficult times. 

Other Sunday AM, Grade 9 2021-22 class summaries in  https://cmnjparentportal21-22.blogspot.com/search/label/Gr%209%20-%20Sunday%20AM

Regards,
Rukmani & Partha

Apr 3, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

Apr 3, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

HariOm Parents,

Last class we talked about Upasana, which means "worship", or literally sitting near, that is being close to an idol, or a chosen deity like Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, or Ganesa so as to imbibe those same qualities the idol represents.  Since we are creatures triggered by objects

We need a symbol  or an idol to make our minds single-pointed, eventually to focus on the Lord. In simple terms, it is a form of prayer. We also looked at the sixteen steps to offer prayers to the Lord. 

This week's topic is The Four Castes (Varnas).

We asked three students what they understood by the word Caste. They responded by saying they disagree with the Caste system, all are equal and this descrimination is unfair and unacceptable. 

So, we began with the rationale behind this division. How do we describe an object or an animal, or a person, or a quality…?

We describe anything according to their attributes. We have seen in science how plant kingdoms are classified or grouped like creepers, evergreen, conifer, root vegetable etc., and the animal kingdom into reptiles, bovine, marine animals, cats etc.. Also, if you look at the periodic table of elements and minerals, they are grouped according to similar qualities or attributes. Stretching this idea, when we look at mankind, we also exhibit different attributes, qualities, features and so on. But we believe we are equal and we respect each other's differences.  YES, it is absolutely true. This is from the spiritual standpoint. However, the same spiritual science classifies society into four  groups or Caturvarna. And this is universal, not just in India. In all societies - Indian, East, West, Middle Eastern and more. 

This classification or division called Caturvarna is based on Karma, what one does, NOT on color, region or wealth. 

In Sanskrit, Varna means Color. Varna can also mean name, color, form, quality, relationship, and so on. A Form of classification.

Lord Krishna In Bhagavad Gita says, the four fold caste has been created by Me according to the differentiation of Guna (quality) and Karma (action).

Scriptures have stated that this classification is based on guna and karma and not by virtue of birth. Unfortunately, this division has been misunderstood by all of us and has led to disintegration in our society. 

The divisions based on Karma are:

• Brahmin (The Thinking Class)

• Kshatriya (The Leader/Fighter Class)

• Vaisyas (The Business Class)

• Sudras (The Labor Class)

Before we look at the classes above let's look at an example where division exists - an organization like a manufacturing company. The experts or brains behind the creation of a product, the managers or admin who execute the product, the sales team that sell and bring in the money, the factory workers who work and produce the items. 

Any set up will have these divisions. 

With this concept in mind let us look at the four classes. 

Brahmin- Who is a Brahmin? One who is capable of studying and teaching, of an intellectual nature. And his karmas are study, teach, perform rituals for himself and others, give charity and receive gifts. 

Kshatriya - One who is capable of leading the society and protecting the people. 

THe five karmas are, protect the people, give charity, perform yagnas, study scriptures, and not engrossed in sense objects. The kshatriyas are the natural-born leaders of society. 

Vaisyas- Has the capacity to produce wealth. THeir karmas are, perform yagna, study scriptures, give charity and do business. They are people engaged in agriculture, cattle raising and other businesses. 

Sudras- One who can perform work or service. Their karma is to serve without having any jealousy. 

The above division is purely on capabilities and no category is superior or inferior to another. In fact, each of us is all four varnas put together in  one!

Now, let us look at the classification based on Guna or one's inner mental qualities.

Sattvaguna (Nature of Knowledge) A desire for knowledge, and qualities of love, faith, kindness, and compassion. 

Rajoguna (Nature of Activity) Numerous desires and ambitions

Tamoguna (Nature of Inertia) Dullness and little interest or ambition of any kind

It is said that human nature is composed of three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas.

A brahmin is described as predominantly Sattvika.
A kshatriya is predominantly a Rajasika, with some sattvik qualities.
A vaisya is rajasic, with some tamasic qualities.
A sudra is predominantly tamasic. 

In fact, the Manusmriti says that everyone is actually born as Sudra, (janmana jayate sudrah), because at birth we are basically the raw of life from which anything can be made. A brahmin can become a sudra later in life or a sudra can become a brahmin or a kshatriya. 

Two video clips by Swami Chinmayananda were shown, one for explaining Gunas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJHYgEgluUA and one on Varnas based on Bhagwad Geeta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEQ6jtrtUpk. 

In conclusion, whatever be your karma or varna, perform your duty with an attitude of selflessness and full of devotion, for the benefit of the entire society. That's how one attains perfection and purity of mind. 

We took the feedback from the class again regarding this topic. It was encouraging to hear the class agree with how the scriptures describe the Varna system. 

Closing prayers! Hari om. 

Other Sunday AM, Grade 9 2021-22 class summaries in  https://cmnjparentportal21-22.blogspot.com/search/label/Gr%209%20-%20Sunday%20AM

Regards,
Rukmani & Partha

Mar 27, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday AM)

Hari om Parents, 

After our starting prayers.  We continued with the next quality in the 'qualities we must have'. We discussed Upasana - Worship.  

Upasana in Sanskrit is a conjugate of Upa (near) + Asana (sit) which means sit near. Just like a log of wood near the fire catches fire, the interested student sitting near a knowledgeable master becomes knowledgeable. 

Our upasana or worship is usually with an idol or symbol. Association to some symbol helps us to come closer to the essence the symbol expresses.

"Every idol represents an ideal. Idols, murties of Rama, Krishna, and Shiva are the symbols that represent the Lord, the ideal that is present within and without; One who is omnipresent."
- Swami Chinmayananda

There are many instances where our worship of idols is interpreted as idol worship and ridiculed. We read a story where Swami Vivekananda puts a king in place who is mocking idol worship by asking him to disrespect a picture of his ancestor. So, Swami Vivekananda's question to the king was if you respect the picture because of the idea it attempts to convey why can't a Hindu see his ideal in the idol. 

A Nike logo conveys the value it provides in good quality sports accessories. The Statue of Liberty conveys the symbol of hope and liberty. We are surrounded by symbols attempting to convey a deeper meaning. 

For our upasana, we need to be: 

• Devoted to the cause

• Preoccupied with it all the time

• Associated with key sanctified centers like temples or ashrams

We saw a video where Swami Chinmayanada explains why going to temples is important. This is in an answer to the "intellectual" question that when God is everywhere why go to the temple - https://youtu.be/oXQmTX2lAWc

Our prayer or upasana is not about something where we beg the Lord for more. Swami Chinmayananda said " Prayer is not a spare wheel that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a 'steering wheel' that directs the right path throughout.". We saw a video by Swamini Supriyananda who explained true prayer and upasana. 

Our traditions also prescribe a 16 step process called 'shoda shopachara' for upasana: 

1. Invite 

2. Offer a seat 

3. Wash the feet 

4. Wash the Lord's 

5. Offer a drink 

6. Offer water for bath 

7. Offer panchamrtam 

8. Offer clothes 

9. Offer Ashes 

10. Offer Sandalwood 

11. Offer 'rice grains' 

12. Offer garland

13. Offer incense

14. Offer a lamp

15. Offer 'naivedyam'

16. Offer 'aarti' 

We then do pradhekshanas or circling clockwise around the diety. 

यानि कानि च पापानि जन्मान्तरकृतानि च ।

तानि सर्वाणि नश्यन्ति प्रदक्षिणपदे पदे ॥

yāni kāni ca pāpāni janmāntarakṛtāni ca .
tāni sarvāṇi naśyanti pradakṣiṇa pade pade

O Lord, may all sins committed by me during all my births be destroyed at each step of my circumambulating around. 

The last step is to surrender all to the Lord.

कायेन वाचा मनसेंद्रियैर्वा

बुध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतेः स्वभावात् ।

करोमि यद्यत् सकलं परस्मै

नारायणायेति समर्पयामि ॥

kāyena vācā manaseṃdriyairvā
budhyātmanā vā prakṛteḥ svabhāvāt .
karomi yadyat sakalaṃ parasmai
nārāyaṇāyeti samarpayāmi

Whatever I do either by body, speech, mind or sensory organs, either with my personal knowledge or natural trait, I surrender and submit all to that to supreme divine Narayana.

Our class ended early and we continued to another zoom link where second grade students presented their skit. 

Other Sunday AM, Grade 9 2021-22 class summaries in  https://cmnjparentportal21-22.blogspot.com/search/label/Gr%209%20-%20Sunday%20AM

Regards,
Rukmani & Partha