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 (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 3)
• Gayanti Mantra (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 5)
• Medha Sukhtam (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 35)
• Mantra Pushpam (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 170)
Bhajans: Sri Krishna, Swami Chinmayananda, Lay Your Burden Down, Govinda Radhe (with Sheila Auntie)
Storytime: Things are heating up in the Vishnu Puran! Swamiji treated us to another three episodes with Lord Ram. In the first show we watched, Lord Ram and Lakshmanji took on the demons who were upsetting Sage Vishwamitra's yagnas ... Taadika was slayed by Lord Ram, Shubayu was killed and Maarich was sent back to Lanka to tell Ravana the news. In the second episode Sage Vishwamitra takes Lord Ram to the ashram where Sage Gautam and Ahilya lived. Lord Ram hears someone calling out his name and asks his Guru where the voice is coming from. Then, Guru Vishwamitra takes Lord Ram to a stone and tells him that he must place his feet on it, thus freeing Ahilya. In the third episode, we saw Mother Sita's father send out the invitations for her swayamvar. He reflects on the time that he walked in and saw Mother Sita (as a young girl) pick up the bow as she lovingly dusted it with her sari -- the very bow which 10 or 15 strong men had a hard time lifting! It was at this moment that he realized that her husband should be able to lift the very same bow with such ease and care. We're guessing that Lord Ram's and Sita's wedding will be in one of tomorrow's episodes ...
Art Projects: Made friendship bracelets.
Shaanti Circle Discussion: The older children did exceptionally well with their 5 minutes of stillness! Tomorrow they will try for 6 minutes. The younger kids will try three minutes again.
Nobody had any pressing questions for Swamiji today after our Vedic Chanting. So, in celebration of Sri Krishna Janmasthami, he shared the story of Lord Krishna's birth ... why he was raised by parents who were not his birth parents ... and how we celebrate this glorious occasion.
We've deemed this last week of camp our "Movie Week." The movie of the day was Disney's "101 Dalmations (the original animation.)
End of Class Prayers: Poornamadah, Chinmaya Pledge
Photo Gallery: Forgot the camera, sorry.
Comments: Boy, is it getting hard to accept that this is our final week of camp ... just two more days and our focus will be turning towards getting ready for school and Balavihar. We've had such a wonderful time with all the children -- it's not going to be easy to say farewell on Friday
You have all probably gotten the email by now, announcing the graduation get together we are having for all the campers that have joined over this summer. Please come to the ashram at 3:30 for the festivities. We plan to begin on time -- and end on time. It will be great to see everyone again!
It was really great to see Sheila Auntie today. We had a wonderful bhajan session with her and will sorely miss these fun get togethers. Hopefully, she will schedule us in again next year! We got her permission to post the lyrics to these beautiful songs that she has been teaching us. They will be in the blog tomorrow -- that way your children can always have access to these songs -- and they can teach you!
Another reminder: pizza and vegan cupcakes will be provided for Friday's lunch. Don't send any food in with your children on that day! We really look forward to seeing everyone for the ceremony, starting at 3:30! Parents: if you plan to bring in food on Friday, please make sure that it is 100% vegetarian (no eggs.) Many thanks.
