Swami’s birthday

We started the class by chanting Gayatri Mantra. Today patti talked to us about Swami’s life. We learnt about Swami’s family, how Swami helped people throughout His life, how He interacted with His friends when He was young. We heard Swami’s first composed bhajan ‘Manasa Bhajore…’in His own voice. Patti read a book ‘Smile and Be Happy’ by Joy Lynette Parker. In this book we heard that Swami wants everyone to be happy and Swami loves to see smiling faces. We heard  Swami once told His children that God is sweet, soft, cool and joy like ice-cream. We pray to Swami to bless all of us to be His sweet children like ice-cream. Lakshmi aunty and Bhuvana aunty practiced a bhajan with us. We played a game  with patti by acting like different animals. At the end of the class patti  taught us how to draw a lotus flower.  

Summary from parent discussion on Unity: When a couple is united on tough decisions, issues of discipline, and on virtues like honesty and integrity, a child’s character will benefit. 

Parent homework:  1) Appreciate each other often.

                                  2) Discuss disagreements in private not in front of kids.

Unity is Divinity; Purity is Enlightenment

Lesson Plan:

This year we are focusing on Swami’s teaching of Unity is Divinity; Purity is Enlightenment

Class notes for 10/18/2020

We started the class by chanting Gayatri Mantra, Vakrathunda Mahakaya and Gurur Brahma.  This class we discussed how to be a good listener to have better unity.  We played a quiz where the kids listening skills were tested and then we shared a story about Arjuna and Dronacharya and how Arjuna was the sole student who listened carefully and followed the instruction of the guru to look at the birds eye when taking aim. We also watched a video on how to be a better listener by following the rules: stop what you are doing when someone is talking, pay attention and do not interrupt the talker and finally respond.

Class notes for 10/11/2020

We started the class by chanting few slokas. This class we talked about importance of keeping your word.

Class notes for 10/04/2020

We started the class by chanting Gayatri Mantra, Vakrathunda Mahakaya and Gurur Brahma. After discussing about last weeks homework, the kids voted to find the best ice-cream flavor and best fruit. We saw how the class had different opinions about ice cream and fruit and how whenever people come together there can be different opinions and likings. We shared a story about 2 brothers who grew apart because of their differences and ultimately wouldn’t even talk to each other. When a carpenter came and built a bridge between their lands, they came together and forgave each other. The kids shared what they understood about the bridge and how it helped to bring the brothers back together. We discussed how each of us must be like a bridge that connects different sides and not a wall that separates people.

Class notes for 09/27/2020

We started the class by chanting Gayatri Mantra, Vakrathunda Mahakaya and Gurur Brahma. Then we revised what we learnt last class -that Unity is working together so that we have more strength and confidence. Then we introduced that Unity has another meaning – that of Oneness. To understand that, we did an experiment with clay where the students could create whatever figures they wanted and then we discussed if we could find anything common between all the different figures the kids made. They figured out that though each kid made different figures, they were all made from clay and they all had fun creating it Thus we were able to find unity or Oneness even though the figures appeared different.

We ended the class by going over our previous week’s homework and learning a new Bhajan. 

Class notes for 09/20/2020

We started the class by chanting Gayatri Mantra and Vakrathunda Mahakaya. The kids tried to guess the theme of the class from pictures and then we did 2 experiments.

In the first experiment they had to make $1 from assorted coins and observe how coins of different sizes and values came together to make $1.  They also found the similarities between the different coins and came to the conclusion that though the coins looked different, they also had some similarities like being made of metal and circular in shape.

In the second experiment the kids tried to lift a glass using just 1 finger. Then they tried using 2 fingers, then 3 fingers and finally all 5 fingers. They observed that it was the easiest to hold the glass using all 5 fingers and most difficult when using only 1 finger. We concluded that working together as a team makes any difficult task easier.

We then watched a video that showed animals coming together in groups to overcome their predators. The kids discussed what they understood of how unity in the animals helped them. We concluded that unity gives more  power, strength and courage to face the difficulties.

Homework : This week the kids should find examples of unity around them and describe it in either a video, picture or writing.

Class notes for 09/14/2020

We started our first class of the 20-21 year with OM and Gayatri mantra chanting. The kids and teachers introduced themselves and we played some ice breaker games to get to know each other. Finally we ended the class learning a new Ganesha bhajan.

Homework : This week the kids should find examples of unity around them and describe it in either a video, picture or writing.

CLASS DATE: 11/15/2020

Summary: SWAMI BIRTHDAY PRESENTATION DISCUSSIONS

ATTENDANCE: 25

NOVEMBER 15TH  :

 “SWAMI BIRTHDAY PRESENTATION DISCUSSIONS”

Attendance: 25

OM, Gayathri Manthra, Light Meditation

Life Application follow up from Class #9 : Students life application suggestions:  See how much food we wasted; work on Swami’s birthday presentation; Go outside for at least 10 minutes each day

Swami birthday presentation discussion – Student offering ideas and submission commitments from students 

Affirmation

Closing prayers

SUMMARY:  Unlock you potential (sound, frequency, vibration)

11/8/20

Students watched a video as homework, they discussed in breakout rooms and presented to the class their thoughts.

Summary of the discussion & class presentation 

Thought Vibrations -What are you broadcasting?

• Your intentions/emotions positive or negative are creating vibrations around you and also attracting similar vibrations from the universe
• A negative emotion/thought impacts you first before it reaches the other person.
• Positive affirmations and thoughts are the key for the success.

Word Vibrations 

• Masaru Emoto experiments on impact of vibrations created by words.
• There is relation between sound vibration and the form it takes.
• CERN (Geneva) experiment on atom vibrations and form.
• Watch your words, use them wisely.
• Do not raise your voice to prove your point.
• Most of the time, the tone (how you say) is more important than the message (what you say)

Deed Vibrations 

• Do more and more deeds to show Love, Compassion, Kindness round the clock. 
• These deeds generate highest vibrations for person doing the act, receiving & watching/hearing the act. We discussed how we get emotional while watching a scene in the movie.
• Self Love
• Service at home
• Community service     

11/1/20

After invocation prayers we started with an ice breaker, reviewed food drive service and communications on google hangouts

Today topics

1) We played Kahoot that covered quarter 1 topics. 

2) we had students divided into 8 breakout groups, gave each grp one topic to discuss for 15mins. Each grp presented the summary of their discussion to the class.

• Grp 1: Open minded (what is it, how it helps, how to practice, qualities of person with open mind)
• Grp 2: Learning things faster  (brain hormones, how it helps, tips, practice)
• Grp 3: What is unity in worldly sense and in spirituality (examples of diversity, unity, practice)
• Grp 4: Who is dear to God (devotee, qualities, practice)
• Grp 5: Purity (define, why is it important, how to purify, practice)
• Grp 6: 4 Qualities for pure heart (what are they, example scenarios, practice)
• Grp 7: Bad company (define, examples, how to handle, practice)
• Grp 8: Stress & Anxiety (what, when, how, practice, tips)
• Grp 8: Science behind sacred sounds (sounds & vibration exp, sacred sounds, how they help, sounds and water, practice)

Please find link to the class presentation.

Home work:

• 1. Nov 8th class : Watch this video & come prepared with your thoughts/talking points
     • “If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” Nikola Tesla
     • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYZMi4TpROE&t=16s&ab_channel=UniverseInsideYou
  2. Nov 15th class: 
     • Watch The Social Dilemma on NetFlix. https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224

10/25/20

After invocation prayers we started with an ice breaker, reviewed food drive service and communications on google hangouts

Today we discussed about

1) What rituals in Navratri are meant to help see divinity in all

2) What is Anxiety, what symptoms do they notice & when does anxiety kick in

3) Three tips to overcome anxiety. These 3 tips have to be practiced daily.

• Sit in a comfortable position (on chair/ground), close your eyes and chant OM 3 times, with each OM imagine a circle of protection forming on top of your head
•  With eyes closed Chant Gayathri mantra 3 times, with each chant imagine a circle of protection forming around your body
• Positive Self talk –  talk to Swami in your heart, Swami please help me put my best effort and take ownership of the result

4) Sounds & frequency impact on matter and water

5) Science behind scared sounds and how they help curb anxiety

Grp 3 had Swami birthday bhajan today. Please find link to the class presentation.

Class notes for previous classes can be found here.

10/3/20

As class we dwelled deeper into what does oneness mean? what is the definition of Unity per Swami. Black Lives Matter was a topic to discussed & examples to help identify oneness in diversity.

What does unity mean? It is not the combination of many; it is the realization of oneness. Satya Sai Baba

 Please find link to the class presentation.

Note to Parents:

Please encourage students to follow (virtual) class best practices.

Students were asked to participate in their academic/extra curricular activities with enthusiasm to see the difference in learning process. If possible discuss this topic as a family.

Do not give yourself too much importance. Be less self centered

• Take time to socialize (in person)to identify oneness. Set goal for without digital device time.
• Listen when people are talking, make an eye contact during a conversation and be respectful.
• Get to know someone you don’t like. Try to guess why someone is the way they are. Be kind to someone who gets on your nerves.
• Accept your mistakes 
• Look out for service at home & community. Service starts at home.
• Notice every time you are judging someone, this is a first step towards realizing oneness
• Consciously remind yourself , the same Divinity is present in the person, bug, tree you come across.
• Be confident, you are divine, same divinity is in you as well. Give this affirmation to yourself everyday morning, Turn on video in zoom, you are beautiful/handsome 🙂
• Develop qualities of pure heart Karuna (compassion), Muditha (appreciation), Mytri(friendship), Upeksha (disinterestedness).
• Do not raise voice against your parents to prove you are correct.

Group 4 Introductions and New Initiatives

ATTENDANCE:

7: Eswar, Bhairavi, Harini, Kanousa, Neeradh, Raj, and Smirthi

Main topic:

The class on November 15th,  we had a virtual class where we started with announcements. We then went through many upcoming activities and had students volunteer to lead those activities, such as Swami’s birthday, Group 4 SSE Zoom Bhajans, Senior Community Music Program, and InterFaith food shuttle food drive. We ended the class with a TED talk with a behavior coach discussing how to master our own behavior and manage the behaviors of others. It was very interesting and the students enjoyed it. 

Link to TED talk: https://youtu.be/4BZuWrdC-9Q

Note to Parents:

Sairam Parents –

Group 4 will continue to do virtual classes, our next class is on Sunday, December 6th. We will be discussing the initiatives mentioned above in more detail.

-Group 4 Gurus

Jai Sai Ram!