We started with 3 OMs followed by the opening prayer "Sahanavatu", Ganesha, Saraswati and Guru shlokas.
Then we moved on to chant the 1st, 2nd and 3rd verses of Gītā dhyānam.
Continued to discuss the event from Mahabharata - After war when Pandavas met with Bhisma, Yudhisthira asked Bhisma "If one wants to have a good life, what should one do? What kind actions should one avoid ?". Bhisma explained what are the 10 sins that one should avoid.
Instead of directly going over the 10 sins, we did an activity where students were divided into 3 groups to brainstorm what activities will lead to sinful results from Body, Mind and Speech standpoint.
Then we had each team lead to come and write it on the white board and also we had them write their understanding of what sin is. Attaching the photos of their presentation.
Then briefly summarized all of it to conclude that every time when action is taken whether it be by Body, Mind(thoughts & emotions) and through Speech, do /pick the right actions to avoid sinful actions. Also always remember the Law of Karma (the subtle divine rule that controls the existence of the universe) while performing actions to bring peace within ourselves and around.
We also discussed about BMI chart by Swami Chinmayananda to correlate - how our Body, Mind and Intellect reacts to the worldly nature as Perceiver, Feeler and Thinker to make choices around us.
We recommend all the kids to get the book "Know what you have" by Swami Chinmayananda which has a simple and practical explanation of who we are, using BMI concept.
https://www.chinmayapublications.com/know-what-you-have
Time to do the Gita chanting chapter 5, started with verse 1. Chanted together while a video recording of Swami Shantananda Gita chanting was played.
Later the kids did the Likitha Japa quietly for a few minutes. Overall we had a good and very interactive class. After the closing prayer went to arati.
Please remind the kids to read Mahabharata upto chapter 9 as they need to know the events and characters to continue some of the class discussions.
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Pranams
Abhirami
Selvi
