Hari Om Dear Parents,
Update of class : Mar 24th 2023
After practicing Likhita Japa, kids recited all 9 verses of Gita Dhyanam
Recap:
As part of recap, we brainstormed kids on the gems that we learnt last class - Meditation and Discipline.
We practiced meditation for 3 min after that.
Yaksha Prashna
We started our class with a Yaksha Prashna multiple choice questions game. We divided the class into 2 groups and played the game. Following questions had multiple answers. We later discussed questions and the right answers. One of group won the game.
i. What is the incurable disease?
ii. Who is undefeatable enemy of a human being?
iii. What is Ego?
iv. What is Divine?
v. What would a person that only speaks sweet words get?
vi. Who makes many friends?
vii. What will you get if you live by Dharma?
Lesson : 35 Gems of values to live by
We continued with :
Gem 11: Firm conviction
Conviction means faith. A strong and firm conviction on our Hindu Dharma will help us lead a happy and valuable life.
We went through various examples of Teerth Yatra that people undertake under tough conditions - like going to Sabarimala, Kailash, etc. Their faith in God help them travel those tough conditions and reach the destination.
Once a kid trying to escape from a fire in the building had to jump from 5th floor to his father's arms. The kid had complete faith that his father will catch him under all circumstances. The kid survived the fall.
Gem 12: Mind and Intellect centered in God
We asked kids how they felt when they meditated. Their response was that they could pay more attention when we chanted 'Om'. Practicing meditation helps us to pay better attention and quietening the mind.
We then asked them to write what God meant to them. Some of them found it tough to write but there were good answers too. It varied from reminding of values to one single entity that guides us.
We do not see God like we don't see so many in physical form, yet we know that they exist. An example, electricity. We cannot see it, but we know it exists and we can sense if we dare to touch a live wire.
Gem 13: By whom world is not agitated
We talked about how a small disturbance in class ends up disrupting the entire class. This leads to agitation within our small class and we lose out on discussing important matters.
We then extrapolated this to the world and discussed how we should be the cause of agitation in the world.
Gem 14: Whom the world does not agitate
A lighthouse stands tall and guides people, even when the ocean waves crash on it every single time. A building built to withstand earthquake is another example.
Similarly, we should not get agitated with what's happening around us. But we should try to find solution with a calm mentality.
Bhagavad Gita Chanting :
Kids continued to chant Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3. They repeated after Swamiji's recorded verses.
Next Class : Mar 31st
Thanks and Hari Om
Shankar and Purnima
