Hari Om everyone!
Wish you all and your families a very happy Deepavali! Here's an update on last Friday's ( Nov 3rd class)
With the last two virtues covered, we successfully completed all the virtues described in the Dhayana Shloka. We are excited to inform you that the kids will be performing a stage play on Dec 7th and share what they have learned so far. We will communicate with you about the details in the Whatsapp group we have, If you haven't joined the group yet, please let us know and we will add you.
We covered Ajadyam and Vakpatuthvam last Friday.
- We started the class with opening prayers, Rama nama japa, the Dhyana shloka and the Hanuman Bhajan ( Veera Hanumana). We will start the Likhita japa from next class. Please send a note book and a pencil with the kids.
- We then started talking about Ajadyam ( Alertness)
- Physical Alertness is being watchful and being aware of the surroundings
- Mental Alertness is mentally being aware of our actions and feelings
- By asking few general questions, we explained how we are usually not very watchful of our surroundings
- We played 'Posture and Smile Check' game to learn how to be alert. This game teaches children how to be alert and be aware of surroundings and any unusual things or activities'
- The Story of 'Lazy Misty' helped kids understand that lazy people cannot be alert. We learned together the moral of the story as ' Be lazy to lose. Be alert to win'
- Vakpatutvam is Eloquence and is it the ability to communicate effectively and pleasantly
- We slowly got the kids involved in the topic of Eloquence by asking them 'How they would go about sharing the information regarding 'Balavihar' to their friends.
- With all the answers collected from the kids, we brainstormed what would be the best way to articulate and convey this message so that others will understand the benefits of this.
- We also discussed how Hanumanji mastered the art of eloquence and was appreciated by Sri Rama several times for delivering a holistic and remarkable speech. Hanumanji always waited for the right time to speak up.
- To be an effective speaker, one must know- 1) When to speak, 2)What to speak, 3) How to speak and 4) How much to speak
- We reviewed the story of 'Yes, The fees are Doubled' in which the great Greek Philosopher 'Socrates' works with a student and teaches him how to be quiet and listen first before learning to talk effectively.
- By relating to day to day activities and how we communicate, we tried to distinguish what is good communication vs ineffective communication. All the kids talked about what they learnt at school about communication and shared several tag lines such as 'Think before you Talk' etc.
- We practiced the 41st and 42nd verses of the 18th chapter of Bhagavadgita ( Kudos to couple of kids who have memorized these already)
- Overall, we had a very interactive class on Friday.
- We wrapped up the class with closing prayers.
Regards,
Mythili and Madhuri
