Dear Parents,
Harih Om!
The following material was taught to your child on Sunday, March 5, 2023
- Geeta Dhyanam: the children chanted this fully.
- Tapovan Shatakam: Gave the children a brief background about the life of Swami Tapovan ji Maharaj and explained that this hymn was written describing him and saluting him. Also shared with the children the audio recording of Swami Brahmananda singing Tapovan Shatakam. The children were taught verse 1 of the Tapovan Shatakam.
- Yato Dharamah tato Jayah: The ten values in life that characterize Dharma according to Manu Bhagavan were taught: Reviewed the first three values which were taught in the previous session.
- 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 yet 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. For example, a husband charges a credit card for purchasing expensive sports memorabilia. And when the wife sees a huge credit card bill at the end of the month, she gets upset and angry with him. He sincerely asks for her forgiveness and promises never to repeat the deed. But at every instance the wife berates the husband and reminds him of the power she has over him! She should not keep berating him at every instance for the expense incurred due to a mistake committed by him some time ago
- 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. This is an example of control over our organs of action. Even if we have anger rising in our mind but can 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. For example, if we look up some information on the internet and use it in our document at work or school, then we need to give credit to the person who wrote the original document and provide appropriate citation.
- Saucha: Purity: There are two aspects to Saucha: the first one is Baahya or outer cleanliness which essentially refers to brushing our teeth, bathing every day, wearing clean clothes, maintaining a clean home and environment. 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: Knowledge: that we do not need to seek happiness elsewhere or 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.
- Akrodha: absence of anger: Anger is justified at times for instance a mother scolding her child to look carefully 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 also 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! For example, if we say we are honest 80% of the time, that means we are being dishonest 20% of the time and so we are not an honest person!
Another aspect to these ten values is that we may see others not following these values and still appearing to be doing well. We should however not be affected by what others are doing but should focus on improving ourselves every time.
4.The children are busy planning for the grade 8 monthly program scheduled for Sunday, March 26. We practiced for one part of the program and are still working on the second part of the play and assigning roles to all participants.
Thank you!
Inchara, Rekha and Mekhala (Grade 8 Sunday AM Bala Vihar Teachers)
