Dear Parents,
Please find below the summary of our class on Friday, Feb 7, 2020.
Opening prayers:
Om Sahana Vavatu
Om Sri Ganeshaya NamaH
Om Sri Saraswatyai NamaH
Om Sri Sadgurubhyo NamaH
Neelambuja Shyamala Komalaangam (Rama Shloka)
Quote of the day:We choose our joys and sorrows long before they choose us.
Ramayana Story: Yuddha Kaand
Lesson: What is mind made up of?!(contd.)
Bhagavat Gita: Ch. 1, Verses 26, 27, 28
Aarati and Pledge : Temple - Lead by Grade 6
Next Balavihar class: 2/28/20
Announcements: Please note that there is no Balavihar on Friday, Feb 21st due to Shivaratri celebrations at the temple. We will have Balavihar on 3/13/2020 instead.
We will have Spirit day on Friday, 2/28/20. There will be a lot of fun games and activities for the children that day.
Registration to participate in the Geeta Chanting Competition is now open.
Summary: We said the opening Shlokas and started our discussion of the quote of the day. The quote essentially means that we have to seek the Happiness within (our true nature). We can choose the way we want to react to situations and once we make up our mind, we will have control over the situation rather than them having control over us. This is easier said than done but with practice it will come! It is never too late to start. We also had a brief discussion about keeping our head above peer pressure and not take silly and dangerous dares. By repeatedly choosing to do the right thing, we can train ourselves to make the right decisions.
We then discussed the Ramayana story, Yuddha Kaand. Ravana was given multiple chances to correct his unjust actions but his ego was so strong that he did not heed to repeated good advice even by his well wishers. He was a great scholar and an expert at administration and letter of the law but his ego and lust blinded him and was the main reason for his downfall. We stopped the story at the part where Lakshmana is revived by herbs from the Sanjeevani mountain.
We then continued our discussion on the mind. The children were really interested in the topic. The mind is split into two: Objective Mind and Subjective Mind. Objective Mind is outward facing and interacts with the outside world of objects through the sense organs and Subjective Mind is inward facing and interacts with Bhagavan (ॐ ) When there is harmony between the two we are at peace. However, our indulgence resulting from constant interaction with the world creates a space between the Subjective and Objective mind in the form of Vasanas (our past impressions and tendencies). Our actions are governed by our Vasanas and thus causes disturbance to our harmony. We should strive to reduce this gap by consistently focusing on the Self (Bhagavan). We will continue our discussions further. Please do ask the children to share their views on the discussion. It is interesting to see their minds process this way of thinking! It was then time for Geeta chanting and then we went to watch the Fifth grade presentation followed by Arati led by Grade 6. We look forward to seeing the children on Feb 28th! Please have them wear yellow which is our house color.
Pranam,
Anandhi and Shanthi
