Morning Prayers Recited:
• 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:
• Praarthanaa with Panditji. (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 3)
• Medha Sukhtam with Panditji. (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 35)
Bhajans: None
Storytime with Swamiji: Swamiji sat with the children and reviewed the story of Prahlada. We only got through half of the story -- so we will continue the rest tomorrow.
Art Projects: Toran making, beadweaving, and cotton spinning
Shaanti Circle Discussion: The kids did it again! After morning prayers, everyone sat very nicely and silently (without much restlessness) for 4 minutes. And, we are proud to share that nearly everyone got the pebble count correctly! The aunties are thinking that maybe the children are ready to meet the challenge of 5 minutes ...
After our Vedic Chanting we gathered in our Shaanti Circle to practice spinning. Everyone paired up with a partner and took turns practicing the "flick" to get the takhli spinning. We were all challenged to see who could spin the longest. We think someone was able to count up to 70+ before the takhli peetered out! We will sit together in a group again tomorrow and learn how to draw cotton from a pooni to make yarn. Once the kids have the spin down, it will be a breeze for them to focus on the cotton draw.
We spent some time today continuing our discussion of the Chinmaya Pledge. First we talked about the definition of "Pledge." -- and did we really realize that everytime we said this pledge we were making a promise -- to God, others and ourselves -- to try and fulfill all the different values and ideals that are so richly outlined. Some of the children shared their favorite parts, and when someone mentioned "producing more that what we consume and giving more than what we take," we took a few minutes and talked about what exactly this means. We also talked a little about the word "sacrifice." We all agreed that sacrificing -- willing and lovingly giving something up that we desire -- is difficult. But when we keep doing it, eventually it becomes easier and easier -- and that nothing feels greater than giving happiness and joy to others. We talked about how Sheela Auntie shared her experiences with Gurudev yesterday ... and told us how she witnessed Swami Chinmayanandaji continuously giving joy and happiness to others -- and much he loved everyone.
End of Class Prayers: Poornamadah, Chinmaya Pledge
Photo Gallery: July 16 (click here to view)
Comments: Our vedic chanting was okay this morning. Panditji said that our word pronounciation was good, but that we needed to pay closer attention to the intonation marks in the book. Tomorrow we will chant our Medha Sukhtam without a book -- so all the campers should get lots of good rest tonight :-) Also, we will practice chanting Praarthanaa when Swamiji enters the ashram. This is a vedic chant that is used whenever we are receiving a Swamiji -- so we are very grateful to learn this chant!
The children have finished their torans. Everything is now drying in the ashram and will be ready to send home tomorrow. Please remind your child to pack up their art work -- we will do the same :-) They really did such a lovely job with their work, and we are very satisfied seeing all the different, unique pieces!
We heard through the grapevine that tomorrow is going to be a scorcher of a day. Please make sure to pack an extra set of clothes for your child. We were very lucky this afternoon -- Uncle brought in his swim wear and took the kids to the field for a massive hose down! Yes kids, we think we saw him hang up his swimsuit in the ashram to dry -- so we're guessing that he's getting ready for another fun wet day tomorrow :-) Parents: You should have heard the scream of excitement from the kids when they learned that today was Hose Down Day ...
The aunties thank you, big time, Uncle!
Parents: Please note that Sri Swami Siddhanandaji will be bringing Dr. Vijayan to Vrindavan at 2.00 p.m. tomorrow to address our Summer Campers. If any of you are interested in joining this program, please do. You may learn more about Dr. Vijayan by visiting Chinmaya Mission Kedar's website at: www.chinmayakedar.org.
