Oct 14 class

During the October 14 class, we started exploring the verses from Ramacharitamanas. Our P.O. Box God lessons are based on selected verses (dohas and chaupais) from the Ayodhya Kanda of the Ramacharitamanas. 

After leaving Ayodhya with Sitaji and Lakshmanji, at some point, Lord Rama visits the ashram of Valmiki Rishi and asks .. "Muniraja, I am looking for a nice place to stay, and you know this area, so please tell me where should I stay, where should I build my little kutia?". Valmikiji knew that Rama was Bhagavan Himself, and smiled at this "innocent question" and replied: "Ramachandraji, You are asking me, where shall You stay! I am a little hesitant to ask You, but first You please tell me, where You are not; then I shall tell You, where You can stay." Then, Valmikiji continues and narrates several verses where Bhagavan can stay. Each of them is an address for God, the P.O. Box address.

The verses we discussed are on the letterhead Lesson 3 and each student got a copy. God lives in the hearts of those who are always wanting to hear about God with "ears like an ocean" that never gets filled up with stories.

Whenever our minds are totally taken up with something, we are always ready to hear about that. It could be our favorite sports team, it could be fashion, or it can be a book or movie character. We can relate to a boy who is thinking about a particular pair of Nike shoes that he want so much that he becomes depressed and sad that he doesn't have it.  And only getting the shoe will make him happy.  Until he gets the shoe, he is constantly in search of information about the shoe, other people's conversations where they talk about the shoe, and he has thoughts about how his life will be better with the shoe. In a sense, the shoe is always with that boy. 

Similarly, God lives in the hearts of the lover of god who is in this type of living meditation where he/she thinks about God, searches for information and stories about God, thinks about what more he/she can do to get closer to God etc.

Sep 30 Class

Hari OM.

On September 30th, we started an introduction to Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas. We will be referring to verses from this epic during this year. We had a short yoga session with gentle stretches exercises. 

It was great to see many parents come to the class as part of Back to Balavihar (BTB) event on Sep 30. The handout for BTB describing the class information and important events is available at this link. We welcome participation and feedback from parents, and request them to volunteer. One upcoming event is the Diwali play (see separate blog and email about this).

We have a few families who are new to Balavihar and there were a few questions about the class curriculum and what we will be teaching this year.  The following link is offered as a review of the Balavihar and 7th grade curriculum:

http://bbnjbalavihar.com/joomla/index.php/cir


With Back to Balavihar (BTB) we had an abbreviated class schedule this week.  Normally, our goal is to conduct a class that looks something like this:

1. Short Meditation
2. Invocation Prayer
3. Moderated Group Discussion and Study
4. Yoga, Warm up Exercises followed by Surya Namaskar.
5. Moderated Group Discussion and Study
6. Concluding Prayer


On September 23rd, the students provided a short (one or few words) answer to the questions "Who/What is God (to you)?" and "Where is God?". During BTB. we asked the parents to provide their answers and each student wrote the answers for their parents. Here are the pictures of the blackboard after this wonderful and thoughtful exercise, with all its variety!

Student Answers (9/23/2012)

Parents Answers (9/30/2012)

Here's a table with the answers. Students and parents who missed the class can please send their answers by email to complete the list. Parents and students can reflect on their thoughts as they read it.

STUDENTS Who/What is God? Where is God? Formless Everywhere Sun In a pillar Supernatural force In ourselves Giant being In our lives Creator In our souls Matter In every picometer Harry Potter Hogwarts You In this room Ultimate being In the air Friend Our minds Supreme Nowhere

PARENTS Who/What is God? Where is God? Supreme Being Everywhere Inherent Being Inside and Outside Faith and Strength In my heart Protector Everywhere Supreme Power Omnipresent Krishna Universe Everything Everywhere Creator Everywhere Consciousness Consciousness alone is Supreme Power Within oneself Everything Everywhere Not separate In my heart and everywhere

We look forward to seeing all of you at Balavihar on Sunday!

N.K. Shankar
Raj Sugathan

7th grade Diwali play (Nov 18)

Our class has been asked to develop a short Diwali-themed performance on November 18 during the assembly. After a good interactive discussion with the students (and parents), the decision was that the class will do a Diwali-based play. Suggestions included: the first Diwali, having funny portions, maybe including some music. We need to refine this soon so that we can start practices. There are only 4 Balavihar classes (10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28) followed by a 2-week break just before the Diwali play. It is likely that we will need to do some practice sessions in somebody's home on Nov 4 and/or Nov 11.

Students should think about some ideas and bring them to the Oct 7 class. We need one or two students to take a lead role in writing a play.

Bring your creative talents to class!