June 6, 2021 - Grade 7 (Sunday AM)

Hari OM Dear Families,

Here is this week's update.

Week 27:

6th June 2021 / 9:15AM
Class began with opening prayers -3 OMs and followed by SahanAvavatu.

One student led the chanting  of "Neelambuja shyamala komalaangam".

Three children came up in presenting their chariot and the values inspired them in real life.

We had a Movie Time (34 minutes) It's about a kid and his love and care for his favorite red balloon. (movie YT link given)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mGRynunevU

There was a quick discussion about the take away and values they could relate/understand with the characters of the movie.

Game Time- Flip the coin, Scavenger hunt and 20 questions (guessing game)

We had a fun filled game session where all of us were excited and participated.

This is our final session of this balavihar virtual year and we thank every family for rendering their best support throughout the year of virtual learning. Thank you, Thank you!

Next week, Saturday the 12th June, there are virtual mela celebrations with some of the grades presenting their programs. We will share the zoom link as we get closer to the date. Please stay tuned. Thanks.

Please feel free to reach out in case you have any questions.

Hari OM
Abhirami Shrinivas and Vidhya Aiyer

May 23, 2021 - Grade 7 (Sunday AM)

Hari OM Dear Families,

Here is this week's update.

Week 26:

23rd May 2021 / 9:15AM
Class began with opening prayers -3 OMs and followed by SahanAvavatu.

One student led the chanting  of "Neelambuja shyamala komalaangam". We learned the fifth verse of Prema mudita manase kaho bhajan (page 144, My Prayers) We finished learning the entire song. (we will share the recording in whatsapp)

Two children came up in presenting their chariot and the values inspired them in real life.

Today we had the Junior CHYKS coming into every grade as TA. They led the session in an interactive manner. We had an ice breaker game followed by The unfair game (created by the arts and crafts- game team from the CYSP previous year) The questions were all from Ramayanam and two teams enthusiastically took part and answered every question! We had a fun-filled session.

We had one more chariot presentation by another child. A few more presentations to go which we aim at the next class, 6/6.

Our next class is  on June 6Th (We have some end of year activities planned)

Please feel free to reach out in case you have any questions.

Hari OM
Abhirami Shrinivas and Vidhya Aiyer

May 16, 2021 - Grade 7 (Sunday AM)

Hari OM Dear Families,

Here is this week's update.

Week 25:

16th May 2021 / 9:15AM
Class began with opening prayers -3 OMs and followed by SahanAvavatu.

One student led the chanting  of "Neelambuja shyamala komalaangam". We continued learning the fourth verse of Prema mudita manase kaho bhajan (page 144, My Prayers)

We had a special discussion on Adi Shankaracharya, also being sankara jayanthi today and the quality of admiring this great personality and trying to possess one or two qualities of the great guru..., Sankara's dynamism, scholarly value,  and commitment. When we admire Sankara, we would want to develop, cultivate and possess some of His qualities. (Lord Rama refers this value as the armor or Kavacha in the Vibhishana Gita)

We had chariot presentations by two children and we will continue our series of chariot presentations of the remaining, in subsequent classes.

Key to Success- Vibhishana Gita

The arrows. Sama Jama Niyama seela mukha nana.

*Practicing peaceful mind is Sama (Santhi) *Noble values of life- Jama *Daily disciplines- Niyama

(The remaining part of the arrows in detail) The following are Niyama Values

1.Saucha (cleanliness) Everyday we have the ritual of brushing our teeth and showering, etc to keep our bodies clean. Prayer is an everyday ritual for cleaning and tidying our mind. Mind too requires everyday cleansing

2.Santosa (Contentment) Contentment leads to a feeling of gratitude. Prayer should be an offering of our gratitude to the Lord. Such prayer, like the study of our scriptures, is the only way to purify the mind that gives utmost contentment and happiness.

3.Tapas (discipline, austerity or burning enthusiasm) For the mind to be aligned with the body. In other words, to keep the mind in control. Meditation leads to a calming nature and slows down our actions, deeds and words. The slowing process allows more focusing and a full control on what we do/say.

4.Swadhyaya (Study of the self and of the texts) Group prayers and satsanga brings in immense power which can be felt with continuous practice of the same.

5. Ishvarapranidhana (Surrender to a higher being or contemplation of a higher power) Gurudev was once asked if Prayer was like begging God. Gurudev responded that if Prayer was asking for things from God then it is definitely equal to begging. Prayer, in his words, is a means to invoke the divinity within us. Iswara bhakti and Guru Bhakti have no second opinion.

Always remember what we have got and be thankful and don't think about what we have missed/don't have. A wise person is never bothered about what he has not got. Only then we can carry on the peacefulness within.

Armor- (Kavacha bedha Vipra Guru pooja) This is an important part of the Dharma chariot. The respect for the scholarly and wise people and worshipping our Guru, becomes the kavacha- the Armor, which is a powerful body protection that nothing could penetrate through. This is that kavacha that guards you, will stay there and protect.

In the battlefield, the armor protects the warrior from arrows/weapons shot at them. Similarly, in the Dharma Chariot, our armor is our devotion to our Guru. Guru plays a very important role in our lives. Guru is the one that removes the darkness of our ignorance and enlightens us with knowledge. What happens when we respect wise people?

*When we respect and admire our gurus and wise people, we would like to possess their good qualities. Respect for all these scholars, will expand and multiply.

Gurudev's dynamism is looked on in awe and all His followers would want to possess it. Respecting and Admiring wise people and our bhakti towards Guru forms a kavacha for our benefit and protection. A sadak who has this kavacha, will grow.

Our Guru helps break the shackles of our own likes and dislikes that bind by imparting the knowledge of the values given in our scriptures and thus enabling us the freedom we desire always. We are eternally grateful to our great Gurus like Adi Sankara, our Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda and our Pujya Swamiji and all the great saints and sages.

(Whiteboard discussion by our children)

This brings us to the end of the next unit in our syllabus, Vibhishana Gita. The last chapter remaining is a recap.

We played a Kahoot game, reviewing the Yudhdha kanda from Ramayanam.

Our Grade Annadanam soup kitchen is scheduled on 5/22. please check your emails and text messages for the food signups and monetary donation. Thanks

Our next class is  on May 23rd.

Please feel free to reach out in case you have any questions.

Hari OM
Abhirami Shrinivas and Vidhya Aiyer

May 9, 2021 - Grade 7 (Sunday AM)

Hari OM Dear Families,

Here is this week's update.

Week 24:

9th May 2021 / 9:15AM
Class began with opening prayers -3 OMs and followed by SahanAvavatu.

One student led the chanting  of "Neelambuja shyamala komalaangam". We continued learning the third verse of Prema mudita manase kaho bhajan (page 144, My Prayers)

We will continue our series of chariot presentations from subsequent classes.

We had a special Mother's day Game.

We then proceeded to the assembly link where we started to perform our Gurudev paaduka pooja celebrating HIS 105th Birth anniversary. Followed by a few grades who had their monthly presentations. We closed with prayers and pledge.

Our next class is on May 16th

Please feel free to reach out in case you have any questions.
Hari OM
Abhirami Shrinivas and Vidhya Aiyer

May 2, 2021 - Grade 7 (Sunday AM)

Hari OM Dear Families,

Here is this week's update.

Week 23:

2nd May 2021 / 9:15AM
Class began with opening prayers -3 OMs and followed by SahanAvavatu.

One student led the chanting  of "Neelambuja shyamala komalaangam". We continued learning the verse of Prema mudita manase kaho (page 144, My Prayers)

We had the first chariot presentation of the day after the bhajan singing.

Key to Success- Vibhishana Gita Amala achala mana trona samana- quiver which stands for a pure and steady mind. Selfishness is the biggest enemy for a seeker. Pure mind means mind devoid of selfishness. There are two types of mind- (pure and impure) In entire spiritual sadhana, Pooja, japa, keertan, yatra, study, seva, havan- all these disciplines are aimed at making a pure mind. Our enemy in the spiritual path is selfishness. we must try and remove it! How to remove selfishness?

1. Start taking up/ doing selfless work.

2. Increase selfless works

3. To have a seva bhava slowly in our entire life. Commit to selfless work - gradually make life, selfless life (to purify ourselves)

Pure mind is a quiet mind. But usually the mind keeps continuously moving. How to reduce the fast movements of the mind and make it slow?

Firstly, continuous thoughts (moving) (Chala) of the mind to be kept steady (Achala)

The thoughts are moving at a particular speed, we must try to reduce the speed. Mind will be running and running all the time. If we focus on one thing, the flow of thoughts will be less/reduced. More the thoughts, more wandering we are.
If Body and mind are in the same place (alignment) the speedy movements of the mind can be reduced. If the practice of keeping Body and mind aligned, mind will be pure and steady. When we are into performing any act, we must give full attention to the mind, then the speeding of the flow of thoughts is reduced, which helps in purifying the mind. BM in alignment, we live in the present and could feel the thought flow is less, slowly the mind will become steady. Therefore we should start living in the present.

The next part is arrows. Sama Jama Niyama seela mukha nana.
Mind being balanced is the quiver- Sama- Peacefulness of the mind

5 Noble values of life- Jama

Daily disciplines- Niyama

In Yoga sastra, Acharya Patanjali speaks about Yama(Jama) and Niyama for a disciplined lifestyle.

The Following are Yama(Jama) values of life

1.Ahimsa (Non harming, non violence in thought, deed and word. When we think of violence, we generally think only about physical or verbal abuse. Negative thoughts are also considered violent as repeated thoughts lead to action in the future and the spread of negativity. So it is very important to practice non-violence in thoughts, words and deeds.

2.Satyam (Truthfulness) As Mark Twain once said, "If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." The truth is always constant but a lie keeps changing its path. We have to spend unnecessary energy in fabricating stories when we speak the truth. It is always easier to tell the truth than lie. 

3.Asteyam (non stealing) Stealing, as we understand is stealing physical and intellectual property of a person. Most of us, who are innocent in this respect, are guilty of a different kind of stealing. The resources and energy that we steal from Mother Nature brings about lasting damages unseen. Nothing can be a better example than the present Pandemic situation that the world is finding itself in today. Our pledge says,  'giving more than what we take'. We should try to give more of ourselves to others and to Mother Nature as well. 

4.Brahmacharyam (self control or right use of energy) Self Control is Self-discipline. Most of the famous achievers have reached their position due to their rigorous discipline and self control. We observe this in our kids who are into various performing arts and sports. When they are passionate about it to excel in it, they are willing to go through the rigor that it entails.

5.Aparigraha (non greed/ non hoarding) Greed is a bottomless pit. There more we try to satisfy it the deeper it gets. Keeping others in mind, we should avoid hoarding. We can take a spoonful for the first serving and comeback, if we need a second, in our ashram when we eat together. Instead, if we load our plateful, often we end up throwing food and we might indirectly make some last ones in the line to turn disappointed as the food will be over!

(Whiteboard discussion by the children)

WE will learn about Niyama and the rest of the lesson in the coming sessions.

We played a Kahoot game, reviewing the Kishkindha and Sundara kaanda from Ramayanam.

We then had the second chariot presentation of the day.

Our next class is  on May 9th

House Contests:
Art works for art contests and Baking contest videos- you may submit now until May 9th. Parents are welcome to participate in the ART contest as well.  

If the child completes a minimum of 10 pages of likhita japa, please take pics and send it as an attachment/link. The email to be sent is cnjbalaviharhouses@gmail.com (Due by 5/9)

Please feel free to reach out in case you have any questions.

Hari OM
Abhirami Shrinivas and Vidhya Aiyer

Apr 25, 2021 - Grade 7 (Sunday AM)

Hari OM Dear Families,

Here is this week's update.

Week 22:

25th April 2021 / 9:15AM
Class began with opening prayers -3 OMs and followed by SahanAvavatu.

One student led the chanting  of "Neelambuja shyamala komalaangam". We started learning a new bhajan Prema mudita manase kaho (page 144, My Prayers)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr9aLknumnw

We played a Kahoot game, reviewing the Aranya kanda from Ramayanam.

Key to Success- Vibhishana Gita

We had one student sharing her handmade Dharma chariot (chariot of success) and talking about the values learned until now.

We had a quick recap of the value- The Sword

Today's topic-

The Axe- Dana Parasu- Charity is my axe. Being Generous and to practice generosity by donating for charity. Why should we do Dana? As a seeker it is always good to give. "Giving more than what we take " line from our CM pledge. If God has given you knowledge, talent, skill, love, wealth and property- share it with others. By practicing Dana, you become richer and the world around you benefits. By giving you are learning and practicing- Detachment. You learn to let go. A person who is doing dana, will not hold on to anything (from the past)

Buddhi Sakthi prachanda- Understanding is the missile. Understanding is common sense. We see common sense with a prejudiced mind. For example, we need not be scared in a house when there is no one. But if we spot a sudden person, there is a meaning to be scared and confused. This happens where there is a lack of understanding the scenario. Non verifying facts we unnecessarily imagine, is due to the absence of common sense.

Rama tells Vibhisana, "I have a perfect and a clear understanding of life, people, relationship and war!" Var vigyan kathina kothanda- The bow that stands for self knowledge. One of the main enemies we face is ignorance. Self knowledge is our weapon against this enemy and our Guru plays a major role in alleviating our ignorance. Self knowledge is the realization that we are one with all the beings in the universe.

The above image is the class' discussion summarized on the whiteboard. We watched an interesting pi video.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vV3LKeFbt9_Cc5qYQBuhzJRifQxXukVk/view

Our next class is  on May 2nd

House Contests:
Art works for art contests and Baking contest videos- you may submit now until May 9th. Parents are welcome to participate in the ART contest as well.

Bhagavat Geeta Essay Contest- For grades 6 and 7
Write about lessons from the Gita that helped you to get more out of life with less during the pandemic. Please share with specific examples if possible.

Geetaessay@chinmayavrindavan.org is the email id to be sent, all the essay entries. Subject of the email-CMTC Essay Competition. Words limit 1200 words to 1300 words. Submissions due one or before 5/2. Please Send in Pdf format. More details to be shared in Whatsapp group.

Please feel free to reach out in case you have any questions.

Hari OM
Abhirami Shrinivas and Vidhya Aiyer