Hari om everyone,
Since I am away in India, Jacqueline Aunty graciously agreed to teach our class this week. Two of our students, Advaith and Rishabh, took detailed notes and wrote down the synopsis for the class. Thanks to both of them, we have our weekly update below :).
This Sunday at Balavihar the JCHYKS were taught by Jacqueline Aunty. We were guided to put together a mini Gita book, a simple plan, yet we quickly learned that our origami skills were up for the test. Each of us was handed a stack of thick papers, stickers, tape, construction papers, and an assortment of tools. We listened as Jacqueline Aunty told us how books back in the day were built; instead of using machinery like today, they were built via a book press.
We had the opportunity to use a similar book board, which allowed us to make crisp folds and align our pages. Jacqueline Aunty then showed us how to make a 3-D visual that would pop up once we opened the page. We picked the visual of Arjun and Krishna on their chariot and glued it down on a corner fold. Next, as we meticulously took each sliver of adhesive off the papers and pressed down, we were amazed to see that the simple stack of papers had turned into a book! Finally, we put everything together. Glueing down other stickers as well as the awesome pop-up that we created! In the end, we were left with a mini Gita book that we can carry with us throughout our lives.
Initially, it seemed like a simple arts and crafts activity; however, throughout the process, we learned that in making a mini Gita we were following the Gita! Just as Arjuna stood on the battlefield, unsure of what he had to do, we too, often go through life completing and engaging in activities where we don't fully understand their significance. Yet, the Gita teaches us through faith, dharma, and perseverance that everything eventually falls into place.
In the same way that each of our folds, cuts, and pieces of glue initially seemed small on their own but ultimately came together to form something beautiful, life, too, reveals its meaning when we trust the process. That is often the hardest step, but it is important to trust the process. Our mini Gita was not just a book, but it showed all of us that when our actions have a purpose, things that seem ordinary can transform into wonderful works of art as we made on Sunday.
Thank you.
I will be back in NJ for the next class. Looking forward to seeing you all then.
Regards,
Rashmi.
Rashmi.
