1. We talked about importance of symbolization – how our mind can imagine and hold on to a name only when it is associated with a corresponding form e.g. ice cream, tree etc.. Hence our Rishis have given a form to the God for our mind to hold on to.
2. Story of Swami Vivekananda and the arrogant King was explained in this context – where Swamiji makes the King realize importance of symbolism.
3. Coming back to our core curriculum – when Yudhisthira asks Bhisma “If one wants a good life, what kind of actions one should avoid?” Bhisma says one has to give up 10 karmas – 3 of body, 4 of speech and 3 of mind.
4. At the body level we should give up:
To kill someone – includes not just humans, but plants animals – taking care of environment, climate change issues where discussed
To steal – also encompasses using more than we need, wasting things unnecessarily. For example grabbing hold of more spoons or paper towels at a restaurant.
To have an improper relationship – to not hurt the feelings of our loved ones
5. At the speech level we should give up:
To say bad words
To say harsh words
To lie: we may get away with a lie here and there but eventually we will get caught
To unnecessarily complain or spread rumors – all these things are expressed due to our own anger, frustration and unfulfilled desires.
6. At the mind level we should give up:
Thinking about taking away some one’s wealth
To have ill-feeling about others
Not to have faith in Law of Action / Karma
7. We discussed that negative things are expressed due to negative thoughts we harbor – like jealousy, competition, greed, selfishness etc..
8. Law of Karma was discussed:
Every action/karma has a result (Karmaphala)
Performer of the action alone gets the result
Result of karma will come at right time. Result may be immediate or may take several lifetimes to fructify. We had a good discussion with the kids about karma and karmaphala. They can shape their destiny with their own hands. “ What you get in life is because of actions that you have performed. If you don’t follow your Dharma and perform wrong actions, you only will get negative consequences later on.”
9. One way to overcome these 10 bad karmas is to become aware of your duties and fulfill them. Also, pray to God ask for His forgiveness and guidance.
10. If you accomplish something good be thankful to Him – by this one avoids developing too much ego.
11. During this year we hope to make the kids introspect their behavior – words, thoughts and action - based on Bhisma’s teaching and see if they can make positive behavioral changes.
Explained the symbolism of Lord Ganesha including the story of his birth, why He is known as Modakahasta, Lambodara etc.
Large ears represent continuous and intelligent listening
After listening (sravanam) students need to reflect (mananam) on what they heard: this is represented by His big head
Trunk can lift a blade of grass as well as move logs of wood: so the trunk represents perfect discrimination
Broken tusk represents that the person has thought through the good and bad and made the appropriate decision
Large belly represents the place where He has stored all his wisdom
Significance of 4 hands: the axe is to cut off all our attachments and hence end our sorrows
With the rope, He pulls his devotees closer to Him, the modaka is the reward, and with the fourth hand He blesses us all
His one leg folded and the other dangling represents that He has integrated both subtle and gross bodies into one (i.e. an intellect into which the mind has folded)
The mouse at His feet represents an obedient mind.
Explained the symbolism of Goddess Durga Devi: Also known as Mahishasura Mardini, Ambe, Kaali.
The tiger/lion she is riding on represents the ego
Killing of Mahishasura represents the destruction of Tamoguna
Garland of skulls represents destruction of bad qualities
Conch represents Pranava or Om which represents Devi hold on to God in the form of sound
Bow and arrow represents energy
Thunderbolt represents firmness/conviction in attacking a challenge without losing confidence
Lotus or Pankaja (born of mud) represents continuous evolution of spiritual qualities amidst greed, jealousy etc.
Trident represents Satwas, Tamas and Rajas (remover of all miseries)
2. Story of Swami Vivekananda and the arrogant King was explained in this context – where Swamiji makes the King realize importance of symbolism.
3. Coming back to our core curriculum – when Yudhisthira asks Bhisma “If one wants a good life, what kind of actions one should avoid?” Bhisma says one has to give up 10 karmas – 3 of body, 4 of speech and 3 of mind.
4. At the body level we should give up:
To kill someone – includes not just humans, but plants animals – taking care of environment, climate change issues where discussed
To steal – also encompasses using more than we need, wasting things unnecessarily. For example grabbing hold of more spoons or paper towels at a restaurant.
To have an improper relationship – to not hurt the feelings of our loved ones
5. At the speech level we should give up:
To say bad words
To say harsh words
To lie: we may get away with a lie here and there but eventually we will get caught
To unnecessarily complain or spread rumors – all these things are expressed due to our own anger, frustration and unfulfilled desires.
6. At the mind level we should give up:
Thinking about taking away some one’s wealth
To have ill-feeling about others
Not to have faith in Law of Action / Karma
7. We discussed that negative things are expressed due to negative thoughts we harbor – like jealousy, competition, greed, selfishness etc..
8. Law of Karma was discussed:
Every action/karma has a result (Karmaphala)
Performer of the action alone gets the result
Result of karma will come at right time. Result may be immediate or may take several lifetimes to fructify. We had a good discussion with the kids about karma and karmaphala. They can shape their destiny with their own hands. “ What you get in life is because of actions that you have performed. If you don’t follow your Dharma and perform wrong actions, you only will get negative consequences later on.”
9. One way to overcome these 10 bad karmas is to become aware of your duties and fulfill them. Also, pray to God ask for His forgiveness and guidance.
10. If you accomplish something good be thankful to Him – by this one avoids developing too much ego.
11. During this year we hope to make the kids introspect their behavior – words, thoughts and action - based on Bhisma’s teaching and see if they can make positive behavioral changes.
Explained the symbolism of Lord Ganesha including the story of his birth, why He is known as Modakahasta, Lambodara etc.
Large ears represent continuous and intelligent listening
After listening (sravanam) students need to reflect (mananam) on what they heard: this is represented by His big head
Trunk can lift a blade of grass as well as move logs of wood: so the trunk represents perfect discrimination
Broken tusk represents that the person has thought through the good and bad and made the appropriate decision
Large belly represents the place where He has stored all his wisdom
Significance of 4 hands: the axe is to cut off all our attachments and hence end our sorrows
With the rope, He pulls his devotees closer to Him, the modaka is the reward, and with the fourth hand He blesses us all
His one leg folded and the other dangling represents that He has integrated both subtle and gross bodies into one (i.e. an intellect into which the mind has folded)
The mouse at His feet represents an obedient mind.
Explained the symbolism of Goddess Durga Devi: Also known as Mahishasura Mardini, Ambe, Kaali.
The tiger/lion she is riding on represents the ego
Killing of Mahishasura represents the destruction of Tamoguna
Garland of skulls represents destruction of bad qualities
Conch represents Pranava or Om which represents Devi hold on to God in the form of sound
Bow and arrow represents energy
Thunderbolt represents firmness/conviction in attacking a challenge without losing confidence
Lotus or Pankaja (born of mud) represents continuous evolution of spiritual qualities amidst greed, jealousy etc.
Trident represents Satwas, Tamas and Rajas (remover of all miseries)
