Here is this week's update.
"Om Saha Navavatu" (page 8 in My Prayers book)
Om shrI Ganeśaya Namaha, shrI Saraswatyai Namaha, shrI Sat Gurubhyo Namaha.
"Vakratunda Mahakaya" (page 27 in My Prayers book)
"Saraswati Namastubhyam" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
"Gurur Brahma" (page 60 in My Prayers book)
Bala- Inner strength (through self effort, keeping the mind strong)
mental strength comes from being free of desire and attachments.
Bibeka/Viveka- Discrimination- having the power to know and convincingly make judgment. Understanding true from false, right from wrong. Know the subject thoroughly to get judgmental.
Dama- control over senses and not being addicted to it leads to Achieving a goal is made easy. The ability to know when to stop being tempted.
Parahita- Service to others… "Devotion to the people is devotion to the supreme self" The ability to care for others
The Reins - The reins of the horses symbolize forgiveness, compassion, equanimity - Kshama, Krpa and Samata.
KShama (Forgiving)
Kshama- Forgiveness- is a quality of a noble person or a hero. A great person wears forgiveness as an ornament. "Kshama veerasya bhooshanaha"
There are 3 levels of forgiveness. 1. Not offended at all
2. Feels offended, but forgives and forgets
3. When an offending person apologizes and asks for it.
True forgiveness is when we actually forget that the other person has hurt our feelings. We should have the attitude of a mother who would forgive her little baby even though the baby may pull her hair or kick her. Love is very essential for forgiveness. (The story of Eknath Maharaj and the story of Mother Teresa)
Through our act of forgiveness we are the ones that stand to gain.
Krpa- Compassion, unconditional love, act of kindness, understanding others' POV/situation ; understanding other's pain and comforting a person in need. Sympathy/empathy.
When we practice forgiveness with love, naturally we become a compassionate person.
Samata- Equality- treating people equally ; Balancing the emotions.
The third rein, equanimity, can be achieved when we are able to calm our mind and accept it. We should practice this quality, taking the lead from Lord Rama! Within a few hours, he went from being a crown prince to an exiled person having to live an austere life! In both situations, He exhibited equanimity. He expressed silatha for rendering the happenings in a nice way, He was not carried away by the situation, He did not become a victim of the circumstances (same balanced feeling while given the order of His coronation and given the order to move into the forest life for 14 years). His life was a lesson on virtuous living for all humans.
We practiced for our upcoming grade presentation. The date is May 5th.
Geeta chanting on 4/20. Those who are taking part, practice well and chant well. Good luck.
Our next class - 4/21/24, we will continue our class presentation practice.
