It was wonderful to see you all again this past Sunday, October 16, in our J-CHYK class!
After taking attendance and chanting our Invocation prayers, we had spent a few minutes in quiet Meditation along with the Japa-mantra of Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
Next, we listened to a song by George Harrison called "That Which I Have Lost" (a paper with all the lyrics was given to everyone) and discussed how the experience he describes resembles that of Arjuna (and ourselves) who is, at first, overwhelmed by "forces of darkness, limitation, falsehood and mortality,...", and "knowing no law of action" he feels blocked from apprehension of the "higher world." He says in the chorus, "I need someone to show me, illumine my consciousness, remove the dark from in me, and give me that which I have lost". Then he describes a life-transforming spiritual experience in which "a light from Heaven breaking, a flash inward illumination, enriched his life more than any words can tell/ he stood there, life renewed fresh as rain, scales were falling from his eyes again, the bolts of his prison were opening", etc. The next chorus repeats the main theme: "I found someone to show me, illumine my consciousness, remove the dark from in me, and give me that which I have lost."
Arjuna's "someone" was Lord Shri Krishna. And we are fortunate to have the Lord and our Guru, too, to help us remember who we are!
Using the example of a radio in the classroom, I shifted the dial back and forth, first, without landing directly on a channel, then tuning in directly to a radio station. The class discussed how this example is like our own mind -- when our mind and senses are scattered, not in attunement with our Higher Self, we experience confusion, distraction and ultimately dejection. But when we are "tuned in" and in alignment with our Higher Self, we experience the power, Intelligence, Energy and Creativity of the Supreme working through us! That is what we are learning how to do in our prayer, meditation and study of the Gita.
Next, the class divided up into 2 groups to discuss (and write down) if there is a particular activity for each student that personally helps them to feel in "attunement" with their Higher Self, as they know it now? What do you experience? How do you feel? Particular activities mentioned were varied, including: dance, tennis, exercise, reading, being with friends, coding computers, doing math, baking, listening to favorite music, and more! Feelings that students experience at that time are: feeling comfortable and at ease, happy, peaceful, concentrated, feeling God, love, etc.
Chanting of Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, came next as we followed Pujya Swami Shantanandaji's lead from the TV Video. Everybody sounded great!
Finally, we resumed looking at and discussing our PowerPoint slides with selected verses from the Gita as part of our "review" of Chapters 2-6. We discussed, again, the nature of our Higher Self being Atma; Changeless, Eternal, Full and Complete, and that the real "You" never dies, just as Electricity is not destroyed when the bulb or filament is broken. Students asked important questions about Vasanas and more.
A suggestion for the coming next two weeks is to try to be aware of times you may sense that attunement with your "Higher Self." What is your experience?
We will meet again on October 30 for our HOUSE INAUGURAL DAY!
Have a blessed and Light-filled Diwali, everyone!
Love & Hari Om!
Swamini Radhikananda
