Hari OM! Parents,
We are happy to report that we had full attendance in the class.
We started the class with the beginning prayers followed by learning the Lingashtakam, a stotram in praise of Lord Shiva. We learned one verse. We also watched the 2nd Gita primer video on learning to pronounce some Sanskrit words which will be appearing when we learn to chant the 2nd Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. The children took turns in chanting some of Sanskrit phrases.
We conducted a body awareness meditation for the children.
We then moved on to our curriculum for the week.
We recapped what we had learned regarding the introduction of Hindu Culture.
Discussed about the difference in a materialistic and Spiritual Culture.
Materialistic culture- Focus of life is matter, that which is seen with our eyes, and we want to use it for our personal convenience.
Spiritual Culture- Focus of life is that which is not seen, where one wants to live in harmony with nature and try and go beyond it.
Discussed that there are many things though not perceived the senses , do exist and is the highlight of Hindu Culture.
Discussed that Hindu Culture is a Spiritual Culture.
The children gave examples of things though perceived may not be true.
Examples of the sun going round the earth
Blue sky
Moonlight etc..
Next our discussion was why should we refine our mind and our thoughts.
Shared a story which stressed on the need to groom ourselves and increasing our value to be successful in life.
Story was about a young person who once approached Leo Tolstoy and asked for the reason to groom oneself. Tolstoy showed him a piece of iron and asked what its cost would be. The man said it would be a ruble. Tolstoy then asked if he made a horseshoe with the same piece of iron what would it cost? The man replied it may be 5 rubles. Tolstoy next asked what if we made a needle with the piece. The man relied may be 10 rubles. Finally, what if we make a fancy watch? The man replied it would bring a lot of money.
The moral of the story was just like we can increase the value of the iron piece we could also increase our value and be successful by refining our thoughts. During the story we gave examples of metal refinement and crude refining to remove impurities.
Discussed how we could refine our mind and thoughts and slowly bring good changes in our lives. the children gave examples,
Avoiding procrastination
Being organized
Avoiding stress and use methods to destress ourselves
work hard
Exercise and be fit
Focusing on our priorities
All the examples the children shared were wonderful.
Our next topic was on the Cause and Effect or termed as Karma and Karma Phala in Sanskrit.
We talked about rebirth not being a principle in Hinduism but it is the most logical explanation when we see how lives are placed.
Cause and effect is the relationship between two things when one thing makes the other happen.
Our next Balavihar class is on October 2
Pranaams
Uma and Nirmala
************* Material shown in class **********
Cause and effect
Hinduism emphasizes that there is a continuity of existence after death.
An individual continues his or her life in a new embodiment.
We are all products of our past..
The Hindu term for cause is Karma and effect is Karma Phala
Karma includes our deeds, words and thoughts
What goes around comes around
Think back to your Science class or Newton's 3rd law of motion
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
Karma is life equivalent to this law
We reap what we sow
If we want happiness peace, love we have to exhibit this ourselves
Here are some examples of cause and effect which we discussed
The answers are those given by your children
CAUSE: Tell a lie to a friend
EFFECT: Your trust is broken
CAUSE: You cheat in a game
EFFECT: You lose your conscience, Purpose of game is lost
CAUSE: You help a friend
EFFECT: You gain his trust, He may help you in future
CAUSE: You do something you are told not to
EFFECT: You can get into trouble, Someone can get hurt
CAUSE: You study for your test very hard
EFFECT: You get good grades
CAUSE: Watching too much TV
EFFECT: Do not get enough sleep
Intellect does not function properly
