• 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 Panditji. (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 35)
Bhajans:
Storytime with Swamiji: Today we finished the movie with Swamiji about Prahlada.
Art Projects: Finished knotting our Tulsi Bead Japa Malas.
Shaanti Circle Discussion: Seeing that this is the last day of the week, we thought it would be really good to review some of the words we have been definining over the past few days. We talked about ahimsa -- and how we should practice it with our thoughts, our words and our actions. We also reviewed what "humility" means. We planned to talk about our next favorite word, "Satya (truth)," during the afternoon -- but had a nice surprise satsang with Swamiji instead. So, we'll pick up where we left off on Monday.
End of Class Prayers: Poornamadah, Chinmaya Pledge
Photo Gallery: July 3 (click here to view)
Comments: Its hard to believe that Week Two of Summer Camp is now over. The summer is passing very quickly ...
Today we chanted our Medha Sukhtam without any text in front of us -- and we were so pleased to hear that many of the children have the first part of the chant memorized. We think it even surprised them! Panditji has been working so diligently and kindly with us on a daily basis, and the kids are really absorbing this chant. We will begin a new chant on Monday -- and can't wait to learn which one it is. For all of our campers: Don't forget to chant Medha Sukhtam every morning, before going to school. Remember what Swamiji and Panditji shared with us about this vedic chant -- Medha Devi (Goddess Sarasvati) will bless us with a sharp, photographic memory, if we continue to chant this daily.
We had a wonderful satsang with Swamji today. From our previous blogs, everyone knows by now that we have been knotting our tulsi bead japa malas. Well, today was the day that the children completed their japa malas and Swamiji sat with the children and explained how to properly use them. He also gave us a mantra to chant daily -- "OM Sri Krishna Sharanam Mama." He taught us that the Tulsi Japa Mala is only used for chanting mantras for Lord Vishnu. We learned that the Tulsi plant is Goddess Lakshmi. Some children didn't know what a Tulsi plant looked like, so Swamiji had his brought in so they could see it. He also explained how the beads were made from the stalk of the plant. He even shared with us why the Tulsi plant is considered a sacred plant. Everyone learned alot -- and we are really grateful to have had this time with him!!
A big "Hari OM" to all of our friends who will not be with us next week ... we really had such a great time with you -- and look forward to meeting up with you again when Balavihar starts in the fall. In the meantime, please remember to chant your shlokas with full love in your heart, and do it every day. Also, don't foget the mantra Swamiji taught us today ...
Have a peaceful weekend!
End of Class Prayers: Poornamadah, Chinmaya Pledge
Photo Gallery: July 3 (click here to view)
Comments: Its hard to believe that Week Two of Summer Camp is now over. The summer is passing very quickly ...
Today we chanted our Medha Sukhtam without any text in front of us -- and we were so pleased to hear that many of the children have the first part of the chant memorized. We think it even surprised them! Panditji has been working so diligently and kindly with us on a daily basis, and the kids are really absorbing this chant. We will begin a new chant on Monday -- and can't wait to learn which one it is. For all of our campers: Don't forget to chant Medha Sukhtam every morning, before going to school. Remember what Swamiji and Panditji shared with us about this vedic chant -- Medha Devi (Goddess Sarasvati) will bless us with a sharp, photographic memory, if we continue to chant this daily.
We had a wonderful satsang with Swamji today. From our previous blogs, everyone knows by now that we have been knotting our tulsi bead japa malas. Well, today was the day that the children completed their japa malas and Swamiji sat with the children and explained how to properly use them. He also gave us a mantra to chant daily -- "OM Sri Krishna Sharanam Mama." He taught us that the Tulsi Japa Mala is only used for chanting mantras for Lord Vishnu. We learned that the Tulsi plant is Goddess Lakshmi. Some children didn't know what a Tulsi plant looked like, so Swamiji had his brought in so they could see it. He also explained how the beads were made from the stalk of the plant. He even shared with us why the Tulsi plant is considered a sacred plant. Everyone learned alot -- and we are really grateful to have had this time with him!!
A big "Hari OM" to all of our friends who will not be with us next week ... we really had such a great time with you -- and look forward to meeting up with you again when Balavihar starts in the fall. In the meantime, please remember to chant your shlokas with full love in your heart, and do it every day. Also, don't foget the mantra Swamiji taught us today ...
Have a peaceful weekend!
