Hari Om Parents,
Please find the summary of the 4/9 class.
Opening prayers: Om Sahana Vavatu
Om Sri Ganeshaya NamaH
Om Sri Saraswatyai NamaH
Om Sri Sadgurubhyo NamaH
Vasudevasutam Devam (Krishna Shloka)
Activity: Dharma Thermostat ( Ananya and Pranay shared their experience of practicing 'Dhrithi' and 'Kshma'
Lessons: Discuss around 2 of 3 cornerstone values defined in our shastras – 'Brhamacharya' and 'Ahimsa'. We will cover the last one 'Satyam' in the next class. We also wrapped up Yaksha Prashnas.
Closing prayers
Next Balavihar class: 4/16/2021
Summary: Since we had a two week break, to refresh everyone's memory, we revised the concepts covered in the previous class quickly – this included reviewing the facts of life, the importance of having a goal and drafting a roadmap to achieve the goal. In order to achieve the goal of attaining ultimate peace & happiness in life and also liberation, we turn to our scriptures for a Roadmap that can guide us in this journey. Brahmacharya, Ahimsa and Satyam are the three cornerstones upon which the foundation of Hinduism is built. We took a deep dive into the concepts of Brahmacharya and Ahimsa in this class.
Brahmacharya: Desire causes thoughts, thoughts leads to actions, actions become habits, habits become character and character determines our destiny. In order to follow these disciplines we need to change our habits. HABITS are very difficult to change. However, Mind is very strong instrument and if used appropriately can help us overcome our weaknesses and detrimental habits. So no more delay – 'Now' is the time to act and change for the better. We need to conserve our energies and not let them get dissipated through sense organs. This attitude of intelligent contact with the world outside is called brahmacharya. It does not mean total self-denial, but means living in self-control.
The discipline of Brahmacharya is for the body. An athlete training for the Olympics has to go through a strict regimen prescribed by his/her coach: healthy diet, adequate sleep, refraining from drinking, smoking etc. Our Rishis advise us to conserve our energy and not fritter it away on external temptations and situations. Brahmacharya is achieved by controlling our sense organs. When we live such that we are continually seeking gratification of sense organs, these demands will eventually consume us! Brahmacharya is the method of living with self control with regards to all our sense organs. But this does not mean that we should not enjoy what the world has to offer. Enjoy what the world has with restraint!
- Why Self-Control? - When human beings live with self-control, it is a blessing to them and to society. When we lack self-control, we bring destruction and disaster to nature, to society, to family and to oneself. We can see that when nature is not in control (e.g. floods, forest fires etc.) it leaves considerable destruction in its path. If we are stuck in the attitude that "my desires alone matter" we compromise in our values, morality, responsibilities and obligations. Self-control is even more important in modern times since we are constantly bombarded with so many enticements from all around – TV, radio, smart phones, social media – it is a wonder that we are able to live sanely! Desires never get satisfied. The more we indulge in our impulses, the more the longing for more material goods. Since the desired objects are limited, and desires are so many, not all desires will be fulfilled, leaving us frustrated and bitter. Similarly, if we overindulge by eating our favorite foods all the time (chocolate cake, pizza, ice cream etc.) or we keep watching reruns of our favorite serial on television for the best part of the day, instead of feeling happy, rejuvenated and calm, we can all admit we will feel tired and fatigued.
- Develop Self-Control: - Self Control is a learned behavior. Learning self-control is worth it. Everyone loves freedom, but freedom without discipline leads to chaos. One who submits to discipline is a disciple/student. Just as the process of getting a driver's license is a long process: attending Driver Ed. Classes, getting a decent score in the written exam, practicing driving with parents, making it through a Driver license exam etc. and finally getting the actual Driver's license. Just as getting a Driver's license is earned, similarly driving every day one has to be disciplined because it is not a right but a privilege. Or else, it will lead only to accidents and disasters. With freedom comes responsibility and one has to undergo adequate training in order to be disciplined.
Ahimsa – it is not to cause injury or hurt someone even in our mind. Our scriptures urge us not to even think of hurting anyone on a mental level because we believe in the eternal value of life. This means that we should not curse anybody, never wish/ harm on anyone or have ill feelings towards anybody. Golden rule is – Do unto others, as you want done unto you. Sometimes you may have to cause physical pain in order to help others – for example a Doctor cutting off an infected leg to save the person's life – this is not himsa. There are several types of Himsa:
- Himsa by Action: Most of us civilized enough not to be physically violent. We know that physical violence is frowned upon and there are repercussions if we get into physical fights with anybody. Fear of suspension, fear of facing the wrath of parents etc. will often prevent us from being violent with anybody.
- Himsa toward the Environment: We hurt the environment by not recycling, by polluting the air, by dumping effluents from factories in rivers, by damaging our forests, by not maintaining the cleanliness of our home/room and indiscriminate cutting down of trees etc.
- Himsa towards Animals: Some people hunt and kill wild animals for the thrill of hunting and for pleasure. The animals are killed and then either eaten or stuffed and/or mounted on living room walls. Some animals are also killed for making leather handbags, shoes and still others for making mink coats. Another way of himsaa towards animals is taking them away from their own natural habitat and confining them to a narrow cage. Hinduism advocates vegetarianism – there is a scientific basis for this - we don't have claws or sharp front teeth to tear meat. In addition, our digestive tract is 10 times longer than our body whereas for carnivores it is only about 3 times longer. This means that the waste products of digestion of meat remain in our body for a longer time exposing us to more toxins. One does not need to eat meat to be strong: the horse, elephant, bull are all examples of strong animals that are vegetarian!
- Himsa towards Self: We harm ourselves by having poor eating habits, watching excess amounts of television, gossiping about others etc. Our body is a gift given to us by God and we need to take care of it, nourish it with good healthy food, with clean thoughts, by keeping it clean, by exercising regularly, by saying good and serving others well.
- Himsa through Speech: Although animals and birds communicate with each other, we humans have this God given ability to be able to speak and communicate and express ourselves. With proper use of words we can make friends, acquire wealth and success. Improper use of words can lead us into a lot of trouble. Very often we see that people like to gossip – this makes them feel important and that they are the center of attention; they feel they can influence others and win over more friends - in the end it comes to hurt them only. Story – once a woman spread untrue rumors about her neighbor. The news went around the community and reached the neighbor eventually, who was hurt and upset. The woman who spread the gossip later found out that the gossip she had spread about her neighbor was wrong. Surprisingly her conscience bothered her and she went to a Sage and asked him how she could atone for her sins. The Sage asked her to drop one feather in the backyard of every person to whom she had spread this gossip to. She was surprised at his advice but followed it diligently. Next day, when she told the Sage she had followed his advice, he asked her to bring back all the feathers that she had dropped in each person's backyard. When she went to fetch them she found that the wind had blown away most of the feathers. The woman now realized the impact of her gossip. It had created havoc in the other person's life. It is easy to spread a rumor but impossible to undo. So we need to be very careful about what we say. Guruji says – 'Word power is far greater than weapon power'.
Regards,
