Class on 3/20

Hari OM
Dear Parents and kids.
Today we chanted Hanuman Chalisa (twice in a song form and kids did a wonderful job) and Dhyana Slokam (a few times) Happy to note the kids all remembered the meanings of the 8 qualities mentioned in the Dhyana slokam.

We then involved ourselves in art projects- making of the back bone and thoran (the leaves) Those missed out earlier also completed the work for the day. Until now, we are done with 5 back bone (qualities) and 5 leaves.
We planned to finish all very soon in the forth coming classes. Please send in empty kitchen paper rolls by next session.

Our Samskriti show is fast approaching and we gave an introduction about what type of presentation our children are going to perform on stage. We are working on the script and will start practices once we all meet after the break.
thanks to Abhiram Karuppur, a Princeton Freshman, our BBNJ Alumni for helping us in the class.

After which we had our not so quiet snack time and then did some coloring from our coloring book.
The next class is on 4/17 and we have 3 Sundays off. Kindly sign up for the vasudhaiva kutumbakam (sleepover fun activities camp at Vrindavan ashram) on 4/2-4/3. Also we encourage kids to take part in the Gita chanting competition. Please see our website for all details.

Homework- Kindly make the kids to chant Guru stothram (everyday if possible- a link sent in WA), make them sing Hanuman chalisa (2 or 3 times a week- video in WA) and Dhayana slokam everyday.
We want kids to complete any 10 pages of coloring from our coloring book (kindly note the dates and number of sheets they've worked)

Please kindly send in supplies for art work, notebook, prescribed textbooks, water bottle (labelled) pencils and erasers. Kindly send in a healthy nut free snack, a hand sanitizer.

Have a great spring break. Take care.

Regards
Dhairyam Teachers

class on 3/13

Hari OM Dear parents and kids.

Our class started off as usual after the assembly with a very few children, but slowly we almost came closer to full strength with in a few minutes. This was because we sprang forward!!! (DLS)

We began with kids chanting a few random slokas and we are so proud of each of them! Great job kids!

We concluded our Hanuman chalisa. Now, this means we completed the prescribed curriculum for our grade. But yes, we still have to finish up some art works and many exciting stories and other activities.

We concluded the chalisa by learning the verses 33 through 40.
33. Singing Hanuman Ji's praise makes Lord Rama bless and relieves all miseries of previous births.

34. At the end of one's life, when one goes to the abode of Sri Rama. such person always remains a Hari Bhakta.

35. Even though a devotee does not think of any other deity but Sri hanuman, he will surely be blessed and enjoy happiness.

36. All miseries and torments will vanish when one remembers the brave Sri Hanuman.

37. Victory to you, Hanuman ji, who has control over His senses. Bless us with your grace as our Guru dev.

38. One who recites chalisa 100 times is released from earthly bondage or sorrows and there's no rebirth and will enjoy absolute bliss.

39. One who reads Hanuman Chalisa regularly, will attain perfection to which Lord Siva (Gauri's patidev) is the witness.

40. Tulasidasa,who wrote the chalisa is always a servant of Lord Rama and he prays that the Lord make his heart as Lords' place.

Final verse-
Son of the wind God, destroyer of all miseries and remover of all difficulties, Lord Hanuman is the embodiment and a symbol of auspiciousness. Hanuman Ji along with Rama, Sita and Lakshmana dwell in all devotees heart. Please stay in our hearts forever.

We read through 3 stories which talks about taking a vow and following it with pure mind and focus. This concentration and devotion leads to pure bhakti and takes closer to God.

Now that we are done with the texts, we will start with our pending art work and will try to finish up soon. So, kindly please send in pencils, erasers, crayons, markers, glue stick. We want all kids to have their own supplies. Also, there are a few kids who come to class with no snacks. Please pack a healthy nut free snack along. Thank you.

Please take a moment to sign up and participate in the Vasudhaiva kutumbakam program coming up at our Vrindavan ashram. 
Kindly refer to the pics for the homework and class happenings. Thanks.
Next class- 3/20

Regards
Dhairyam Teachers.

Class on 3/6

Hari OM Dear Parents and Kids.

Today we had a long assembly which included, special bhajan by swaranjali on Sivarathrti fest and other exciting information on a few upcoming events. Please watch out for emails.

We are very close to finish the Hanuman Chalisa. Today we saw verses 27,28,29,30,31, and 32.

Hanuman JI, The skillful
27. Hanuman JI  skillfully carried out all the missions of Lord Rama, who is a supreme yogi ruling everyone.

Rama trusted Hanuman JI because He was disciplined and lived by many vows. Vow is a tapas. One who has taken many vows and lives by them is a Tapasvi. One becomes great and a noble personality, when lived by vows, rules and discipline.

The determination of our pujya gurudev living with Paramaguru in cold Himalayas is a vow and he accomplished it.
Moral of the potmaker story. A silly vow reaps great benefit if being honest all the times.

Hanuman JI, the large hearted.
28. Hanuman JI fulfills all our desires- all our work will be accomplished. We will never be unsuccessful- also would benefit the fruit of the life.

Hanuman JI can grant all our wishes that are good for us.
God exactly gives what is good for us.

The story of a man who walked into a Gods' store to get an apple, istead he got apple seeds, through which he had a big farm of apples to enjoy in his rest of the life.

Hanuman JI, the radiant.
29. Hanuman Ji's glory radiates through all the four yugas and fame shines everywhere in the universe.
As a son of wind God- His presence is eternal and is everywhere. hanuman Ji is also known as Chiranjeevi one who lives forever.

30. Hanuman Ji, the protector of righteous and destroyer of the wicked. He is a dear one of Sri Rama.
Hanuman JI used His might to protect the righteous (good people, saints and sages) and destroy the evil. An unselfishness feel in the heart while serving good people including Tapasvis, rishis etc.

Hanuman JI, the Humble.
31. Sita mata bestowed upon Hanuman JI, that He may grant 8 sidhis and 9 kind of wealth to anyone who is humble and is honest.

32. Hanuman JI has a special gift with Him all the times- The magical Rama rasa. Hanuman JI is so blessed and fortunate to be Rama's dasa forever.

Bowing/prostrating with all 8 limbs, with a pure heart of good thinking and doing a shastanga pranama is completely surrendering self to the supreme Lord.

Homework- Kindly refer to the pic attached for the homework to be done and get to class the next Sunday (3/13)

Please make sure to send in required supplies, a notebook and the prescribed books with your child every week.
And do send in a healthy (nut-free) snack since most of us are hungry by the time we start our class ;)

Thank you.
Regards
Dhairyam Teachers

Class on 2/28

Hari Om

Dear Parents,

The following is the update for the class that happened on 2/28/16. We started with the opening prayers. Verses 24 - 27 were discussed in class. We understood the meaning of each verse and heard some related stories.

Verse 24: Hanuman Ji, the Warrior

Meaning of verse 24: Evil spirits dare not go near a person if they hear the name of the great warrior, Hanuman Ji being repeated.

Hanuman Ji’s nama smarana (chanting of name) can and will keep ghosts and nightmare away. I discussed my own experience from when I was in first grade. I saw a movie and got scared. I started getting nightmares and even fever because of my fear. That’s when my mother chanted Anjaneya Dandakam (Telugu stotram similar to the Chalisa) for me. I got relief from fear and my nightmares never recurred. That is the power of Hanuman and Faith in Hanuman.

Verse 25: Hanuman Ji, the

All ailments, diseases and affliction disappear when Hanuman Ji's name is repeated continuously.

Moral: Chant Hanuman Ji's name and any disease will definitely disappear

Diseases of the body (Vyadhihi) medications are regular prescribed ones

Diseases of the mind (Adhihi) medications are apologizing, being nice and kind always.

The children gave me examples for bodily diseases as well as mind diseases. And they came up with excellent answers when I asked them to give me examples for someone with a diseased mind. The question asked was “Give me an example of a person with diseased mind and explain what disease his mind had.” Some of the answers I got - “Ravana, Karna, Duryodhana, Dusshasana, Meghnadh. I also got some out of curriculum answers like “Voldemort” :D and I agreed

Verse 26: Hanuman Ji, the Beacon of Light

*True Pooja- All our actions and words, should reflect our devotion to the Lord.

* God resides in all of us, including animals.

* When we worship Hanuman Ji by thoughtful action and speech he helps us to overcome our difficulties.

Meaning of verse 26

Hanuman Ji helps those who worship Him with sincerity and faith (by thought - man, action - Karma and speech- Vachan)

Story 1: Saint Eknath’s pilgrimage to Kasi. How he gave Ganga water to a thirsty donkey and considered his yatra to Rameshvar complete.

Moral of story 1:

God dwells in all beings big and small. So being kind to all living beings is also an offering of worship to the God.

Making a thirsty donkey happy instead of ignoring it and finishing his pilgrimage was Sant Eknath’s way of worshipping God. He recognized that God is present even in the donkey hence God would be pleased

Forms of worship-

1. Saying prayers

2. Feeding the pet

3. Cleaning the room

4. Good words shared to comfort or make people laugh.

Story 2: The story of the king and minister- where the minister always says, Everything is God’s wish everything happens for the best.

Please make sure to send in required supplies, a notebook and the prescribed books with your child every week. And do send in a healthy (nut-free) snack since most of us are hungry by the time we start our class ;)

Thanks and Regards,

Dhairyam Teachers.

p.s. pics will be sent separately in whatsapp, due to technical difficulties :D