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: Today we continued our video on Prahlada and Lord Vishnu with Swamiji.
Art Projects: Worked on bead looms and macrame projects.
Shaanti Circle Discussion: After our morning prayers we played our "Time" Game. The children sat silently, without moving, for four minutes -- and then we dropped marbles into a pan to see if they could count how many there were. Nearly everyone got the right number -- very impressive!!! This is not an easy game -- usually we get several different answers from the kids when we play this game ... but this morning everyone was extremely focused! We used this game to illustrate how when our mind is quiet and focused, we will be able to know exactly what has transpired. However, when our mind is not focused, then our answer will be incorrect. The children who did not get the correct answer admitted that their minds were wandering when the marbles were dropped.
During our afternoon Shaanti Circle we began our discussion on "Satya" (Truth). We quickly reviewed the values we discussed in the previous two weeks (Guru, Ahimsaa, and Humility) and then spent some time talking about what Truth means, and how difficult (but important) it is to always be truthful -- even when we think no one else knows that we are being untruthful, God always knows ... we can never hide that from him!! And if we really listen to hearts, we will realize that when we are dishonest, we will never feel peaceful or calm. We also talked about Prahlada and how he represented pure Truth, especially in the face of difficulties and danger.
End of Class Prayers: Poornamadah, Chinmaya Pledge
Photo Gallery: July 8 (click here to view)
Comments: Today was the day we've been waiting for! Many of our butterflies were released -- and what a wonderful occasion!! Many of the kids spent the afternoon following our Painted Lady friends as they flew around the fields. We will open the net again tomorrow morning ... about 10 of our friends weren't quite ready to take flight today. We are certainly going to miss them -- but look forward to seeing them around the gardens ...
The older children finished their altar books yesterday. And boy, did they do a fabulous job!! These altar books were designed to accompany the mantra that Swamiji gave the children last week -- "OM Shri Krishna Sharanam Mama." Some of us were really sad to see these lovely art pieces leave the ashram. Please take a few minutes and enjoy the photo gallery -- you will really be inspired by their efforts! Tomorrow they will make another altar book on the God or Goddess of their choice.
The younger group will be finishing their books tomorrow. Because we were sidetracked with the butterflies today, we didn't have the time to complete everything as scheduled.
