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, Govinda Radhe
Storytime: Because of time constraints, we only got to watch 2 episodes of the Vishnu Puran today. We were hoping for a third ... but couldn't happen. Swamiji promised us at least 3 tomorrow! Our episodes today were with Mother Sita's swayamvar. In the first episode, Sage Vishwamitra asks Lord Ram and Lakshmanji to go to the garden to pick some flowers for his yagna. While picking flowers, Lord Ram and Mother Sita see each other -- and get locked in a trance. (Some of the campers thought it went on a little too long, but the aunties thought it was extremely poetic and beautiful!) In the second episode we are taken to Mother Sita's swayamvar -- and who should force his way in with tremendous arrogance? Nobody else but the egoistic Ravan! He thunders to King Janak that if anyone is able to pick up the bow, it is he. Of course he tries, and fails miserably. With his ego shattered, he announces to King Janak that Mother Sita is bound to be a spinster -- for if he, the mightly Ravan, cannot lift the bow, then no one can. After everyone tries (and fails), King Janak begins to worry that perhaps his daughter will remain single. Sage Vishwamitra, moved by the King's anguish, instructs Lord Ram to pick up the bow. Our episode ended here ... we can't wait to see what happens tomorrow!
Art Projects: Made friendship bracelets and finished other projects.
Shaanti Circle Discussion: A big round of applause for our older campers -- they successfully sat quietly (without any movement, eyes closed) for six whole minutes! They admitted that it is starting to get a little difficult, but are wanting to move on to 7 minutes. We are certain that these kids can do it -- they are determined! The younger children did very well with 3 minutes today. They will continue to do 3 tomorrow. For those younger ones who are interested, they can try and sit still with the "big guys." :-)
During our question and answer segment with Swamiji, the kids posed some very good questions. Someone asked "Why did Lord Krishna steal butter? Isn't stealing wrong?" Swamiji explained that Lord Krishna never really stole ... because everything already belongs to Him. This question led Swamiji to explain that the butter represents "tapas." He talked about all the hard work that is involved in making butter ... milking the cow, churning the milk, etc. And when we hear the stories of him stealing butter, this is really symbolic of us giving over to him all of our punyas and papas.
End of Class Prayers: Poornamadah, Chinmaya Pledge
Photo Gallery: August 13 Photos (click here to view.)
Comments: So sorry that we are posting this entry late in the evening ... we were at the Sri Krishna Janmasthami celebrations (at the Ashram). The festivities were wonderful, and seeing Lord Krishna sitting in the cradle was beautiful beyond words ...
Anyway, we had a fun day today! The question that a camper asked about "Lord Krishna stealing butter" ended up giving us a full day activity. After our discussion with Swamji, we decided to make butter in celebration of Lord Krishna's birthday. All the kids were given a plastic bag with some marbles and cream. We then sent them outside to shake up a storm. And the kids did! You can see them shake, shake, shaking in the photos. After the cream turned to creamy butter, we all sat down and tasted it with some crackers. We thought the kids would only be interested in sampling their hard work, but instead, it turned out to be a butter feast.
For the campers who have finished their art projects and didn't want to start anything new, we put on the original Disney animation of "Pinnochio." Some of us haven't seen it in years -- and it brought back wonderful memories. Surprisingly, many of the campers have never seen it at all ...
Tomorrow is our last day of summer camp -- and it's very hard to believe that 8 weeks have flown by so quickly. The aunties have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to spend this valuable time with your children -- and we feel incredibly blessed to watch them grow over these past few months. The campers have done so very well with their Vedic Chanting, Shlokas, Yoga, and Creative work ... we are extremely proud of them. And we know that you must be, also!
We look forward to seeing all of you at the ceremony tomorrow afternoon (3:30 p.m.)!
