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May 16th Shruthi Class UpdateMay 18, 2010 by varsha Dear Parents, Namah Shivaya.. May 16th Bala Kendra Class UpdateMay 18, 2010 by varsha Dear Parents, All groups reviewed the practice sheets. 3) We reviewed the Questions of the Week that Cyber Auntie, Varsha Govindani, has been asking via email. Kids who participated were recognized and rewarded. 5) Look out for Upcoming Special Events at www.balakendra. org-- Please mark your calendars for the Distribution of Certificates for all Students and Special Trophies for 80% or greater attendance during the May 23rd session. 6) Amma will be visiting San Ramon in June!!! Please go to www.amma.org for details. June 5 Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm is the time slot now scheduled for presentation to Amma by the kids. 7) The summer will have several special events for the families (Pool Party, Hatha Yoga Session, Boating). Pls continue to check the website. We are now scheduling hosts for the East Bay Children's Satsangs for Fall of 2010. The dates still available are as follows: Nov 5. We already have hosts for Sept, Oct, Dec. Please let me know if you are interested in hosting November.April 25th Bala Kendra Class UpdateApr 26, 2010 by varsha om namah sivaya Dear Parents, After the Shruthi Class and Mantra Practice Session, today's class was as follows: In addition to the usual opening prayers, we checked Spiritual Practice Sheets--the importance doing these cannot be over-emphasized- -this is the core of Bala Kendra. The activities for the day included: 1) Younger Group did N for Nobility. A story was also told to illustrate this value--from the life of Mahatma Gandhi. The younger kids did coloring of the Mahatma's picture and also did a reflection activity on Nobility. 2) Middle and Older Groups covered next chapter of Bala Kanda from Ramayana-- how the country is celebrating the news that Rama is going to be King and then Manthara learns the news and in jealousy and fear poisons the mind of Kaikayi who then demands that Bharat be crowned King and Rama be sent to the forest. The middle group began the discussion of how crooked advisors and misguided friends can mislead one. The older group covered the next part of the story and also discussed Rama's equanimity and obedience to his father without the slightest hesitation: Pitru Vakya Paripalanam. The Middle and Older Groups were led in Hatha Yoga style breathing and relaxation exercises by Murali. 3) We reviewed the Questions of the Week that Cyber Auntie, Varsha Govindani, has been asking via email. Kids who participated were recognized and rewarded. 4) Coins for Haiti will continue through May--Lalitha will continue to update all. Please encourage the kids to keep sharing. A small amount can make a big difference in Amma's orphanage in Haiti. 5) Look out for Upcoming Special Events at www.balakendra. org-- next two events are the May East Bay Children's Satsang on May 7 and End of Year Pot Luck Picnic and Holi Celebration on May 9. Note that the picnic is open to the public; please invite your friends. Varsha Govindani will be circulating the details of events and classes. Please mark your calendars for the Distribution of Certificates for all Students and Special Trophies for 80% or greater attendance during the May 23rd session at the home of Krish and Hema. Presentation to Amma is scheduled for June 5, Saturday, at 11 am. Next class is May 16 and will be held offsite. If anyone is interested in hosting, kindly let me know We are now scheduling hosts for the East Bay Children's Satsangs for Fall of 2010. Please let me know if you are interested in hosting. We already have hosts for Oct 1 and Dec 3. We still need hosts for Sept 3 and Nov 5. April 11th Shruthi Class updateApr 13, 2010 by varsha Namah Sivaya dear all, April 11th Balakendra Class UpdateApr 12, 2010 by varsha Dear Parents, 2) Middle and Older Groups covered next chapter of Bala Kanda from Ramayana-- the virtuous nature of Sri Rama and how attractive that made him and Dasharatha deciding to coronate Ram as king and joy of the citizens when they heard the news. The message was: THE BEST DECORATION ANY PERSON CAN HAVE IS TO HAVE GOOD QUALITIES, MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN FINE CLOTHES OR JEWELS. Good qualities make a person very attractive like Lord Rama became. The Middle and Older Groups were led in Hatha Yoga style breathing and relaxation exercises. 3) We reviewed the Questions of the Week that Cyber Auntie, Varsha Govindani, has been asking via email. Kids who participated were recognized and rewarded. 4) Coins for Haiti will continue through April and May--Lalitha will continue to update all. Please encourage the kids to keep sharing. A small amount can make a big difference. 5) Look out for Upcoming Special Events at www.balakendra. org-- next two events are the May East Bay Children's Satsang and End of Year Picnic and Holi Celebration. Varsha Govindani will be circulating the details of events and classes. Please mark your calendars for the Distribution of Certificates for all Students and Special Trophies for 80% or greater attendance during the May 23rd session. Next class is April 25. Nishant Nair is scheduled to lead the pledge. We are now scheduling hosts for the East Bay Children's Satsangs for Fall of 2010. The dates are as follows: Sept 3, Oct 1, Nov 5, and Dec 3. Please let me know if you are interested in hosting. March28th Shruthi Class updateMar 30, 2010 by varsha Namah Shivaya! March 28th Balakendra Class UpdateMar 29, 2010 by varsha Dear Parents,
Today's class was as follows:
Apart from the usual opening prayers:
1) Younger Group did K for Kindness and L for Love. A story was also told to illustrate this value. The kids also did planting prep work in the Community Garden and helped with making of some clay signs related to the same.
2) Middle and Older Groups covered next chapter of Bala Kanda from Ramayana--Breaking of Lord Shiva's bow and the marriage of Ram and Sita. The Mahavakya (great saying) was: Sa Uthsaahanaam Saadhyam Asthi – With enthusiasm, nothing is impossible to achieve The illustration was how Rama's enthusiasm and pure approach to lifting and stringing the bow brought him great success and gave him the energy to pursue his goals. The Middle and Older Groups were led in Hatha Yoga style breathing and relaxation exercises by Murali Sreenivasan. 3) Coins for Haiti will continue through April and May--Lalitha is continuing to update all. Please encourage the kids to keep sharing. A small amount can make a big difference. 4) Look out for Upcoming Special Events at www.balakendra. org-- next two events are: East Bay Children's Satsang on Friday April 2 and Easter Egg Hunt and Eco-Day on April 4. Next class is April 11. Nishitha Nair is scheduled to lead the pledge. Thanks to Aadav this time. Also congratulations to Rohith for becoming Champion and Gayatri for becoming Pandit. Do make sure your kids have been counted properly for attendance-- Sanjay Anavekar is handling that. Those with 80% or more class attendance this year will be given a trophy. Please note that the tentative the end of year picnic (combined with playing of Holi colors) is tentatively scheduled for May 9 at 11 am at the M.A. Center in the Meadow. Kindly mark your calendars. Prep for June Please make sure the kids memorize the words to Satchidananda Guru, Rama Rama Bolo, and Faith Be My Companion. We are planning to sing these songs for Amma in June and the kids need to know these bhajans by heart.
Do reach out to me if you have questions.
Many thanks to all who make these programs possible. Amma emphasizes that the kids need to be trained early.
March 14th Balakendra Class UpdateMar 23, 2010 by varsha Dear Parents, Some notes from the March 14th class: Younger Group-- "J" is for Judgment was covered and related to the life of Sri Rama Middle and Older-- Ramayana continued: The story of the life of Rishi Viswamitra and how he became a sage. Value was 'Dhriti' - Steadfastness- Patient but continuous effort to reach a goal without discouragement. The two older group teachers are asking each student to make a wall hanging, choosing one of the sayings 'Mahavakyas' that we are discussing in class. Sayings such as 'Matri Devo Bhava', Pitri Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha-- perhaps on wood and writing both the Sanskrit and the English and then decorating the hanging. These can then be shown by the kids to Amma when She comes in June. These hangings can then be put prominently in each home. Pls do daily practices and fill out Spiritual Practices Sheets. Next class is March 28. Kindly see www.balakendra. org for many Upcoming Events that individual Bala Kendra families are organizing for all of us. February 28th Balakendra Class updateMar 23, 2010 by varsha Dear Friends, The help of all the volunteers is much appreciated in planning, setting-up, executing, and cleaning-up for the bi-weekly classes. Yesterday: 1) Younger Group did 'I" for Integrity. 2) Middle and Older Groups continued Ramayana and covered the story of Vishwamitra Rishi taking Rama to protect the yagnya. The theme was "Dharmo Rakshita Rakshitaha"--Dharma will protect you, if you protect dharma. The middle group kids were asked to draw and prepare and colorful rendition of this great saying both in Sanskrit and English and make it an artistic expression. (The parents can then hang it somewhere in the home.) Please do have your child do the daily practices and fill in the practice sheets which are available on-line at www.balakendra. org under Curriculum. Next Class is on March 14. Also please see Upcoming Events on the website for special activities. Cyber Auntie, Varsa Govindani, will continue to send out questions relevant to Sanatana Dharma. http://www.balakend ra.org/upcoming- events.html February 14th Balakendra Class UpdateFeb 15, 2010 by varsha Dear Parents, Today's classes were as follows: Younger Group--H for Humility. Middle and Older Groups--Opening story of Ramayana discussion of how effort and sincere prayer bring God's Grace. Without both effort and and Grace, we cannot hope to have success in our endeavors. We used the story of King Dashratha and his quest for a son to be the heir to the throne to illustrate this point. The importance of Spiritual Practice Sheets cannot be overemphasized for the kids to get the benefit of the Bala Kendra program. Daily practices and good values are Amma's main message to all of us, young and old. Please put the blank sheets up in a prominent place and then have your child do the practices and fill out the chart every day. |
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