Dear Parents,
Harih Om!
The following material was taught to your child on Sunday, March 12, 2023
1. Beginning Prayers:
2. Geeta Dhyanam: the children chanted this fully.
3. Sri Tapovan Shatakam: The children were taught the first two verses and they chanted it beautifully and we followed Swami Brahmananda's rendition of this lovely hymn.
4. Yato Dharamah tato Jayah: The ten values in life that characterize Dharma according to Manu Bhagavan were re-emphasized:
- Dhriti: forbearance/fortitude means the capacity to or the strength with which we hold on to something. Dhriti is of three types: Tamasic Dhriti: when we cling to wrong ideas, wrong food, to excessive sleep etc. Rajasic Dhriti refers to clinging on to money, power, stature in society etc. Sattvic Dhriti refers to the one's inherent determination to rise above challenges /obstacles and pursue the final goal. Such a person at times may be physically and/or mentally tired but reminds himself/herself of the goal and pursues it doggedly.
- Kshama: forgiveness: When we forgive someone, we should not even remember the incident once we have forgiven. Instead, if we make the person feel guilty each time then this cannot be classified as forgiveness. It is like holding Damocles' sword over someone and exploit them to our advantage. We all make mistakes and just like we would like to be forgiven and the issue to be forgotten, we owe it to others that we do the same.
- Dama: control over our organs of action: even if somebody upsets us or we are angry at somebody, we do not use violence for example to get our point across is an example of control over our organs of action. Even if we have anger rising in our mind but are able to control our organs of action (hand, legs, speech etc.) then we have some degree of Dama.
- Asteya: Not stealing: We do not have the right to deprive someone of their possessions because they have put sincere effort and worked hard for it. If we want those things we should be determined to work hard with sincerity and get it. Even the thought of stealing something from someone should not arise in our mind.
- Saucha: Purity: There are two aspects to Saucha: the first one is Baahya or outer cleanliness. The second aspect to Saucha is Aantara or internal cleanliness. In other words, we need to keep negative aspects like jealousy, anger, hatred away from our mind. Our interactions with each human being should be clean and without any ulterior motives.
- Indriya Nigraha: mastery over organs of perception:
- Dhi: using the faculty of discrimination. There are always two paths available to us. We must always choose the right path even though it may be difficult. When we choose the right path, Bhagavan automatically will give us clarity and determination to proceed in this path and will support us and help us. We should not take short cuts as this leads to short term happiness only.
- Vidya: While it is important to educate ourselves in school, College etc. in order to provide for our family, we need to realize that true knowledge is much more important. That knowledge is where we learn not to seek happiness from outside and that happiness lies within us.
- Satya: Truthfulness: always tell the truth because lying will lead to misery, ill health and provides short term happiness. If we are honest, then our conscience will be clear and we can lead a happy fulfilling life. If we lie, it will eventually catch up with us one day and we will be burdened throughout our life because of lying and eventually have to pay the price for lying.
- Akrodha: absence of anger: Anger is sometimes justified. For instance a mother reprimanding a child who did not look on both sides before crossing a road etc. Anger should not overwhelm our mind because we will become slaves to it. We should have control over anger and show discrimination to know when and where to show anger. Anger brings misery, guilt and peace brings happiness!
These ten values must be followed and practiced all the time, every time! It is not okay to say that I am don't lose my temper most of the time, we need to not lose our temper 100% of the time. Another aspect to these ten values is that we may see others not following these values and still appearing to doing well. We should however not be affected by what others are doing or not.
5. The Beauty of Speech:
No matter how upset or angry we are, absence of deviousness in speech must be cultivated. The quality of speech determines how ugly or beautiful the person behind it is. A personality which is shattered often seeks gratification or reinforcement through gossip, vicious speech. A person who speaks sweetly, with sincerity reflects the purity of his/her soul. We should be able to understand the infinite beauty of life despite its imperfections. If we understand this, then there will always be tenderness in our actions and compassion towards one and all.
6. The World is a Stage:
Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda says, "The world is a stage, you are the actor. Live continuously and all the hours, round the clock, your life in the consciousness of the Divine and the Supreme, the True and the Eternal. Play the game of life; play the part to which you have been called on to the stage, but forget not the greater mission in life, the greater goal that is to be achieved. Live the stage life perfectly, and play the part exactly as the Lord, the manager, the playwright, had intended it to be played."
Often the question asked is what is our Dharma? Our Dharma is to execute our duties to the best of our ability based on the role that we have been assigned . As a mother, my duty is to make sure my children are cared for, are fed, are loved. As a teacher my duty is to be prepared well for class and the students are able to learn. As a student, my duty is work hard, learn, inquire, respect the knowledge that the teacher is imparting etc.
We discussed this paragraph in detail with the children and were able to get them to understand it through examples.
7. Yaksha Prashnas:
- What is moha (delusion)? Wrong understanding of Dharma is moha. Often, when are doing something wrong, our mind convinces us that it is okay to make a mistake or do wrong to somebody now and then. Our intellect deceives us and therefore we misinterpret Dharma and this leads to delusion.
- What is Maana (exaggerated self-respect)?: We should not brag about our achievements or qualities. Remember if we have achieved anything or have won accolades it is due to the Lord's Grace alone. Exaggerated self-respect and pride leads to a person's downfall.
- What is a Aalasya (laziness): To not follow Dharma is laziness. A student's dharma is complete his/her homework and study meticulously for exams. If a student instead wastes his/her time playing with friends or gossiping then it will comprise his/her grades and this is not following Dharma because of laziness.
- What is Shoka (grief)?: If we have knowledge of Self then we see God everywhere. When we have this knowledge then there is no grief.
8. Grade 8 Play: For the best part of the second half of the class, the children and we finalized the details of the play that will be enacted on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at the end of Bala Vihar. We will share details of costumes/attire needed via our WhatsApp group. Please come with your family and support your child.
Thank you!
Inchara, Rekha and Mekhala (Grade 8 Sunday AM Bala Vihar Teachers)
