Hari OM!
We chanted OM and started the class with a calming 3 minutes of meditation. Fifth graders are getting better at their meditation, with less fidgeting. We sang our opening prayers.
Section 1:
We had completed our study of Ganesha Symbolism in the last class. The class guessed the next deity we were going to learn about, by looking at the altar: Sri Vishnu. Each child shared a fact they knew about Vishnu: He takes avatars, He holds a disc in one hand, He holds a lotus, He lies on a serpent, He is married to Lakshmi, He is the Preserver/Supporter in the Trinity, etc.
We recalled from our last class that a name brings to our mind an associated form to focus on. Hence we chant so many names of our beloved Lord, each name reminding us of his glory, his powers, or a certain aspect of his divine personality. In the case of Lord Vishnu, we have a stotram or prayer that comprises a thousand names, known as Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam; sahasra means 1000 and naama means name in sanskrit.
Few kids mentioned that they had listened to Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam, SVS to be short, at home or in temples. We asked the kids how many names of Vishnu they would be able to learn in fifth grade. The consensus for the target was 100 :) They even had the math sorted out that if they learnt 20 names in each class, by 5 classes they should be able to accomplish this goal. We also discussed that this could be the topic for the fifth grade game-show. Homework: Actively listen to an audio of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam before our next class on Dec 2.
We listened to the story of how Bheeshma gave these thousand names of Lord Vishnu to Yudhishtira after the mahabharata war ended. We chanted a dhyana shlokam from SVS, given in the Fifth Grade prayers hand-out. We carefully practiced the correct pronunciation of sha and Sha, as in shiva and viShnu. We studied the meaning of each and every word, the class made sure they understood each one of the names of Lord Vishnu. Discussing the meaning of the word gaganasadrsham(the one who is all pervasive like the sky), led to our next assignment. Research Assignment: Why is the sky blue?
We listened to the story of a Vishnu Devotee, Devadatta, and learned one more name of Vishnu, draviNapradaH, the giver of wealth.
Section 2:
As today was a special day for fifth grade students, the day when we had the opportunity to offer Bhiksha to Swami ShantandaJi and have satsang with him after the class, We started the class with a discussion on Why do we offer Bhiksha to SwamiJi? It is an offering to a teacher from whom one has received knowledge. It is a sadhana, an act of reverence, and an expression of gratitude. By gaining knowledge one can understand oneself better. Devotees have the privilege of serving a sadhu/swami/acharya where He resides, with humility and devotion.
Kids were introduced to Gita dhyaanam, the prayer that is chanted before learning or reciting Bhagavad Gita. The Gita is affirmed as a mother (bhagavatīm, amba) who rescues from ceaseless change (bhava dveṣiṇīm). The class then chanted the first verse, a question from Arjuna to Bhagavan Krishna.
We then reviewed what we had learned so far about Goddess Lakshmi. She is considered to be the bestower of wealth/assets. Though wealth is commonly interpreted as material wealth, today we learned about how one's true assets are the good virtues that one has and practices. We learned the six good virtues/values, referred to as Shatsampatti, by Adi Sankaracharya:
Bhiksha & Satsang with SwamiJi:
Both the sections then dispersed with closing prayers and we all reconvened at Vrindavan Ashram before 12:30PM to offer Bhiksha to SwamiJi. All moms, may be dads too, had cooked hearty and healthy dishes. The parents helped in setting up the table. Kasturi Uncle had baked Ziti for the kids!!
Anjana Aunty accompanied few fifth grade students to SwamiJi's kutiya, and invited SwamiJi to come and have lunch with the fifth grade families. SwamiJi was delighted to see many toddlers and siblings, in addition to the fifth grade kids. We also invited EricJi for the bhiksha.
We all chanted the prayer: brahmaarpaNam ..., and then proceeded to have lunch. We served SwamiJi and Eric Ji their healthy meal: quinoa salad, rotis, dhal, vegetables, rice & sambar, buttermilk and a tiny piece of dessert :) The kids, parents and teachers had their lunch as well.
We then had an interesting Q&A session with SwamiJi. The kids slowly warmed up to SwamiJi and asked him questions lingering in their mind. Who created God, When God was created, Why there are so many Gods, Who started Chinmaya Mission, etc. etc. SwamiJi beautifully answered their questions, in simple words.
The kids then prostrated to SwamiJi, got his blessings and prasad.
We cleaned up the Ashram and left with a longing for our next satsang with SwamiJi, and a chance to get together as the Fifth Grade Team. What a great satsang it was! Thanks to all the parents and teachers who made this possible.
namaste.
Fifth Grade Teachers,
Anjana Aunty, Prasad Uncle & Kasturi Uncle
Note: We all missed Sangita Aunty who is in India and hence could not attend this event.
We chanted OM and started the class with a calming 3 minutes of meditation. Fifth graders are getting better at their meditation, with less fidgeting. We sang our opening prayers.
Section 1:
We had completed our study of Ganesha Symbolism in the last class. The class guessed the next deity we were going to learn about, by looking at the altar: Sri Vishnu. Each child shared a fact they knew about Vishnu: He takes avatars, He holds a disc in one hand, He holds a lotus, He lies on a serpent, He is married to Lakshmi, He is the Preserver/Supporter in the Trinity, etc.
We recalled from our last class that a name brings to our mind an associated form to focus on. Hence we chant so many names of our beloved Lord, each name reminding us of his glory, his powers, or a certain aspect of his divine personality. In the case of Lord Vishnu, we have a stotram or prayer that comprises a thousand names, known as Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam; sahasra means 1000 and naama means name in sanskrit.
Few kids mentioned that they had listened to Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam, SVS to be short, at home or in temples. We asked the kids how many names of Vishnu they would be able to learn in fifth grade. The consensus for the target was 100 :) They even had the math sorted out that if they learnt 20 names in each class, by 5 classes they should be able to accomplish this goal. We also discussed that this could be the topic for the fifth grade game-show. Homework: Actively listen to an audio of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam before our next class on Dec 2.
We listened to the story of how Bheeshma gave these thousand names of Lord Vishnu to Yudhishtira after the mahabharata war ended. We chanted a dhyana shlokam from SVS, given in the Fifth Grade prayers hand-out. We carefully practiced the correct pronunciation of sha and Sha, as in shiva and viShnu. We studied the meaning of each and every word, the class made sure they understood each one of the names of Lord Vishnu. Discussing the meaning of the word gaganasadrsham(the one who is all pervasive like the sky), led to our next assignment. Research Assignment: Why is the sky blue?
We listened to the story of a Vishnu Devotee, Devadatta, and learned one more name of Vishnu, draviNapradaH, the giver of wealth.
Section 2:
As today was a special day for fifth grade students, the day when we had the opportunity to offer Bhiksha to Swami ShantandaJi and have satsang with him after the class, We started the class with a discussion on Why do we offer Bhiksha to SwamiJi? It is an offering to a teacher from whom one has received knowledge. It is a sadhana, an act of reverence, and an expression of gratitude. By gaining knowledge one can understand oneself better. Devotees have the privilege of serving a sadhu/swami/acharya where He resides, with humility and devotion.
Kids were introduced to Gita dhyaanam, the prayer that is chanted before learning or reciting Bhagavad Gita. The Gita is affirmed as a mother (bhagavatīm, amba) who rescues from ceaseless change (bhava dveṣiṇīm). The class then chanted the first verse, a question from Arjuna to Bhagavan Krishna.
We then reviewed what we had learned so far about Goddess Lakshmi. She is considered to be the bestower of wealth/assets. Though wealth is commonly interpreted as material wealth, today we learned about how one's true assets are the good virtues that one has and practices. We learned the six good virtues/values, referred to as Shatsampatti, by Adi Sankaracharya:
- shama
- dama
- shraddha
- uparati
- titiikSha
- samaadaanam
Bhiksha & Satsang with SwamiJi:
Both the sections then dispersed with closing prayers and we all reconvened at Vrindavan Ashram before 12:30PM to offer Bhiksha to SwamiJi. All moms, may be dads too, had cooked hearty and healthy dishes. The parents helped in setting up the table. Kasturi Uncle had baked Ziti for the kids!!
Anjana Aunty accompanied few fifth grade students to SwamiJi's kutiya, and invited SwamiJi to come and have lunch with the fifth grade families. SwamiJi was delighted to see many toddlers and siblings, in addition to the fifth grade kids. We also invited EricJi for the bhiksha.
We all chanted the prayer: brahmaarpaNam ..., and then proceeded to have lunch. We served SwamiJi and Eric Ji their healthy meal: quinoa salad, rotis, dhal, vegetables, rice & sambar, buttermilk and a tiny piece of dessert :) The kids, parents and teachers had their lunch as well.
We then had an interesting Q&A session with SwamiJi. The kids slowly warmed up to SwamiJi and asked him questions lingering in their mind. Who created God, When God was created, Why there are so many Gods, Who started Chinmaya Mission, etc. etc. SwamiJi beautifully answered their questions, in simple words.
The kids then prostrated to SwamiJi, got his blessings and prasad.
We cleaned up the Ashram and left with a longing for our next satsang with SwamiJi, and a chance to get together as the Fifth Grade Team. What a great satsang it was! Thanks to all the parents and teachers who made this possible.
namaste.
Fifth Grade Teachers,
Anjana Aunty, Prasad Uncle & Kasturi Uncle
Note: We all missed Sangita Aunty who is in India and hence could not attend this event.
