Greetings Everyone!
And Hari Om!
Welcome back to in-person classes at Chinmaya Vrindavan!
It's been wonderful to meet all the students of our Sunday PM, JCHYK class in the past couple weeks!
On our first day of class, September 18th, everyone introduced themselves and also shared what was the most interesting or fun thing they did this summer, as well as what they consider their favorite hobby. It is a great mix of many different talents and interests and we hope that all of them will have the opportunity to come into full expression this year!
Next we began a general review of the Mahabharat story leading up to the War, the occasion for Shri Krishna's teaching to Arjuna (and us) of the glorious Bhagavad Gita. We also played a game of matching personality traits with some of the most well-known characters of the Mahabharat.
In our following class on September 25, after taking attendance, students were asked if they encountered any challenge or adversity in the past week that they found confusing or difficult to handle. There were a variety of different situations expressed. Then we discussed in general what kinds of feelings come up when we meet such challenges or dilemmas, how we often react, and whether our negative reactions actually help the situation or not. This discussion helps us to identify with Arjuna's emotional dilemna and spiritual "identity crisis" in Chapter 1 of the Gita, to recognize the nature of our own similar experiences in life and how the Gita's teachings will help us resolve our issues and free us from unnecessary confusion and sorrow.
Next we watched a short YouTube video clip of Erik Weihenmayer who became blind at the age of 13. Although he faced such a devastating blow as a teenager and was at first depressed and discouraged by his condition, fearing he would never be able to live the life he imagined, he overcame his situation by training arduously in mountain climbing and other sports and eventually became the first blind man to summit Mt. Everest! We discussed how Erik's challenge resembled Arjuna's and how he used his adversity to change his life and that of many others for the better (Erik has since climbed to the top of every highest peak in every continent, kayaked down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, led other blind youngsters up Mt. Everest, and speaks internationally to various audiences about overcoming our supposed limitations. The exciting, inspirational movie on Erik's life, "Touch the Top of the World" is highly recommended to watch. Numerous inspirational interviews of Erik Weihenmayer can also be seen on YouTube, such as: "Erik Weihenmayer: First Blind Climber to Summit Everest", "The Blind Adventurer Who Conquered Mt. Everest and Grand Canyon," and more. The film, "Farther Than the Eye Can See" follows his actual, amazing, nail-biting, successful climb of Mount Everest.
We related Erik's initial experience (and ours when we are met with an overwhelming adversity) with verses from the 1st Chapter of Gita, such as: 1:47 "Having thus spoken in the midst of the battlefield, Arjuna sat down on the seat of the chariot, casting away his bow and arrow, with a mind overwhelmed with sorrow."
Following this, we discussed and wrote on the board the different ways that adversity can be used to our advantage; as an opportunity for growth of character, to overcome inner obstacles of fear, anger, etc., to discover and develop our inner strengths and abilities, increase courage and self-confidence, learn how to ask for help and work with others, or even to redirect our efforts in better attunement with our true "calling" in life.
It was suggested that everyone try to be aware of any situation that arises during the next two weeks that appears as an "adversity" and how they feel about and handle the situation.
Our next class will be on October 9 when we will proceed with the Gita-experience to discover our true, magnificent Identity and Purpose in life, beyond what we could have ever guessed! Get ready to venture to the real "Top of the World"!
Happy, Blessed Navaratri everyone!
Hari Om!
Swamini Radhikananda & Uma Shankar
