• Om Saha naavatu (My Prayers, page 6)
• Karagre Vaasate (My Prayers, page 43)
• Sarasvati Namastubhyam (My Prayers, page 44)
• Guru Brahma (My Prayers, page 9, third shloka)
Vedic Chanting: Medha Sukhtam with Swamiji. (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 35)
Bhajans:
Storytime with Swamiji: Swamiji told the story of Narada and Prahlada.
Shaanti Circle Discussion: After our morning prayers, we played another concentration game. Everyone had to sit quietly, with their eyes closed. After a period of silence, the group leader dropped a number of pebbles into a pan ... first slowly, then more quickly, then slowly again, etc. After all the pebbles had been dropped, we went around the room to have everyone tell us how many pebbles there were. Some said 24, some said, 25, some said 20, and some said 22. The actual number was 22! We'll going to do this same game tomorrow, combined with the "Time Game.
End of Class Prayers: Poornamadah, Chinmaya Pledge
Photo Gallery: July 1 (click here to view)
Comments: Today during our Vedic Chanting, Swamiji asked the children how many knew the first few lines of the Medha Sukhtam -- and we were thrilled that many of the kids raised their hands! Of course, Swamiji then asked them recite it for us :-) And they did. Panditji will be back again on Thursday to practice with us ... and then Friday will be the big day where we chant without the written text.
We began our Tulsi bead japa mala today. Every camper and volunteer will be making this very special mala. Hopefully, we will have them completed by the end of the week. (We needed to practice some more knotmaking today.) When our japa malas are complete, Swamiji will sit with all of us and teach us the importance of the japa mala and how to use them correctly. This is definitely our incentive to finish as quickly as we can!
Now that most of the independent stations are well situated, we were able to set up a Charkha spinning area. One of the adult sevikas spent some time with a group of children explaining the importance of cotton spinning as India was fighting for Independence from the British. We also talked about how Mahatma Gandhi saw spinning as an expression of meditating on the Lord. Everyone had alot of fun assembling the book charkhas. We really hope that every child will come to this station and experience this amazing piece of Indian history. There is so much contained in this little machine -- history, science, meditation, craft and fun.
Our teen volunteers surprised JQ aunty with a wonderful, tasty lunch buffet today. Boy, was that food delicious! We are truly blessed to have such wonderful teens with us. Not only are they fantastic with the campers, but they are responsible, fun loving and big-hearted kids! They are truly the best role models we can have for our younger children. Parents: When your children come home at the end of the day talking about all the fun they had, just know it's mainly due to these teen volunteers ...
End of Class Prayers: Poornamadah, Chinmaya Pledge
Photo Gallery: July 1 (click here to view)
Comments: Today during our Vedic Chanting, Swamiji asked the children how many knew the first few lines of the Medha Sukhtam -- and we were thrilled that many of the kids raised their hands! Of course, Swamiji then asked them recite it for us :-) And they did. Panditji will be back again on Thursday to practice with us ... and then Friday will be the big day where we chant without the written text.
We began our Tulsi bead japa mala today. Every camper and volunteer will be making this very special mala. Hopefully, we will have them completed by the end of the week. (We needed to practice some more knotmaking today.) When our japa malas are complete, Swamiji will sit with all of us and teach us the importance of the japa mala and how to use them correctly. This is definitely our incentive to finish as quickly as we can!
Now that most of the independent stations are well situated, we were able to set up a Charkha spinning area. One of the adult sevikas spent some time with a group of children explaining the importance of cotton spinning as India was fighting for Independence from the British. We also talked about how Mahatma Gandhi saw spinning as an expression of meditating on the Lord. Everyone had alot of fun assembling the book charkhas. We really hope that every child will come to this station and experience this amazing piece of Indian history. There is so much contained in this little machine -- history, science, meditation, craft and fun.
Our teen volunteers surprised JQ aunty with a wonderful, tasty lunch buffet today. Boy, was that food delicious! We are truly blessed to have such wonderful teens with us. Not only are they fantastic with the campers, but they are responsible, fun loving and big-hearted kids! They are truly the best role models we can have for our younger children. Parents: When your children come home at the end of the day talking about all the fun they had, just know it's mainly due to these teen volunteers ...
