Chinmaya Mission® Washington Regional Center
This is the area for the students to display and share what they learn during the Bala Vihar Classes at Chinmaya Mission. The following children have some material to share with you. They are listed according to the the calendar month in which they material was received & posted on the web.
Please click on the child's name to get to their material.
January 2007
Vishnu Priya Krishnan - Reflections of Manah Shodhanam
November 2006
Malini Nambiar - What is Dharma
August 2003 (Summer Camp)
Mayank Bapna (Age 9) - Poem on Summer Camp
March 2002
Aparna Balakrishnan, Age 17
October 2001
Nastasia, Grade 6
April 2001
Tarang Bapna, Age: 11
Mayank Bapna,
Age: 7
November 2000
Sabala Baskar, Balavihar Group: Shivanandam I,
Age: 12, Grade: 7
Avishek Panth,
Balavihar Group: Sivanandam I, Age: 11, Grade: 6
(Aparna Balakrishnan is seventeen years old. She has attended Chinmaya Bala Vihar classes in Baltimore for several years. She is currently a senior at Roland Park Country School in Baltimore, and will be attending Columbia University in New York this fall. This article is based on an interview with Swami Tejomayananda, head of the Chinmaya Mission, on the 25th of June, 2001.)
Searching For Answers:
I was sure that this vacation was going to be like any other. For weeks after my parents had told me that we were going to Florida, I expected nothing more or less. I had every intention of stepping on and off a plane with no other purpose than to enjoy myself. My agenda was clearly different from that of my parents, who eagerly awaited Swami Tejomayananda’s lectures on a specific aspect of the Ramayana. To be perfectly open and honest, I hadn’t been particularly enthusiastic about attending Swamiji’s lectures in Tampa.
I initially didn’t see the necessity in going to the talks that Swamiji was to give. My somewhat closed-minded skepticism turned me away from the knowledge I could glean from his words. Consequently, I had to be pushed, pulled, and cajoled to attend the first of the four lectures.
At this point, I was pretty unreceptive to most of Swamiji’s first discourse. I later attributed this relative disinterest to the many unanswered questions that I had had for a long time. At my mother’s suggestion and further urging, I decided to ask Swami Tejomayananda these questions. I hoped that his answers would dispel some of the skepticism I felt concerning certain ideology and concepts of both the Chinmaya Mission and Hinduism itself. In doing this, I also hoped to share his answers with other youth who may have the same sentiments and doubts. This article is meant mainly to serve this purpose.
I hesitated to talk to Swami Tejomayananda. I wasn’t sure how he would handle my questions or perceive my skepticism. This made me nervous. I was understandably (but pleasantly) surprised, then, when he readily agreed to give me 45 minutes of his limited time. I quickly readied my tape recorder as he expertly attached the small microphone to his shirt.
"Let me have a look at these questions." Without any further ado, Swamiji began to set me on the path of a different understanding. When I asked him what the goals of Chinmaya Mission are, he told me that it endeavors to provide practical means for spiritual growth, enabling people to become positive contributors to society. The Mission leaders hope to spread a certain ideology, "look at the world or your life as a whole, and live a whole life," in order to trigger an inner transformation and bring happiness to people. This one simple sentence struck me as deeply meaningful, yet easy to comprehend. It was also the first sentence that made me begin to be receptive to his words.
I proceeded to ask him why teenagers need to be concerned with such spiritual growth and ideology. To this he answered, "So many things, people, and situations come into your life for a short time, then go away. But you are the permanent aspect of your life. You need to know so much about these impermanent things. How much more do you think you need to know about yourself?" He told me that knowledge of the Vedanta and the ensuing spiritual growth allow a person to understand and know about him or herself. This knowledge relates to each individual, his or her life and personality. It is therefore relevant to people of all ages, including youth. Swamiji continued: "We think that spirituality is only for older people…but spirituality is not a kind of activity. Doing something special is not spirituality, but doing everything in a special way is. Spirituality is being your own self—what you are." This last sentence really captured my attention—in order to know yourself, you have to be yourself.
To put it in another way, spirituality is understanding who and what we are and living based on that understanding. This again applies to all individuals, including youth. Swamiji went on to tell me that everyone lives and acts according to their vision of life. Spiritual enlightenment offers such a vision to live by.
I understood what he had said so far, and why spiritual growth applied to people of all ages. But I still didn’t fully understand why it is so important. To this question, Swamiji patiently answered that obtaining a spiritual education is like preparing for an exam. Just as doing well in an exam requires preparation of one kind, so too does living successfully and well require preparation of another kind: spiritual growth. This education serves us when all else fails, when nothing else will help us face certain problems and challenges in life.
I asked him two other (and perhaps rather impertinent) questions. I wanted to know if there is an "easy" way in which one could grow spiritually. To this Swamiji said with a laugh, "So does this mean that you are not willing to work hard and pay the price in order to receive such an education? But you are willing to do so for other things?" As I smiled rather sheepishly, he patiently said, "Discipline is the first step. As Swami Chinmayananda said, ‘Let your mind be where your hands are.’" In other words, stay extremely focused on the task at hand. He also told me that obedience goes hand in hand with the development of proper discipline: "Even science has made progress obeying and following the laws of nature, not going against them."
I also wanted to know whether gurus are really necessary for spiritual growth education. Once again, Swamiji laughed. "The very fact that you are asking this question shows that you need a guru!" I was definitely humbled by his answer. "We recognize that teachers are necessary for school and coaches are necessary for sports. Why is spirituality any different? We do need gurus, just as we need teachers."
My final doubt concerned dietary habits. Being an occasional non-vegetarian myself, I wondered why Hinduism extols vegetarianism. After all, don’t plants have life just as animals do? "The answer depends on your vision of life, which I mentioned before. There is life in everything, plants and animals. Life is sustained by life, yes—but we need discrimination. Plants and other creatures can live without us, but we cannot live without them. Therefore, we need to live in harmony with them." The conclusion: take only what you need from nature that is necessary to live decently, and nothing more.
Though he told me he didn’t like interviews, Swamiji was perfectly willing to help me—a young, doubting Hindu—to learn how to doubt a little less. I really think the answers he gave me did help me to be more receptive to all kinds of knowledge. I was able to listen to the remaining three lectures in a more open-minded fashion, taking many things that Swamiji said to heart. My skepticism isn’t totally gone, of course, because a few answers and talks can’t make it disappear completely. However, now that I have been started on the path of my own inner growth, I am confident that with some more effort on my part and help from those as knowledgeable as Swami Tejomayananda, I can overcome all of my qualms. I want to urge those young Hindus as questioning and doubting as I to do the same.
Background: Swami Dheeranandaji had asked Seema (Nastasia's mother) for her permission to publish Nastasia's Poem on the web site. The following is her reply:
Hari Om Swamiji:
Many thanks for this kind gesture. This would be absolutely fine by us -- it is a
great honor indeed.
During her first week in school (Westland Middle School), Nastasia's English teacher for sixth grade tried to familiarize the children with writing poetry. She
asked the children to complete the sentences she started. The result below is Nastasia's poem. As her parents we agree that in large part the
poem reflects what Nastasia is learning in her Bala Vihar Class. We thank the community of people who comprise the Chinmaya Mission Center, especially its
teachers, and most significantly you, for the contributions to our children's growth.
Thanks again,
Seema
Poem By NASTASIA:
(Green
words are the teacher's beginning & underlined, uppercase words are
Nastasia's)
I am A SHY GIRL
I wonder WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE
I hear THE LAUGHTER OF BEING ON EARTH
I want LIFE IN MY HANDS
I am A SHY GIRL
I pretend I CAN MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY
I feel LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE
I touch EVERYTHING AROUND ME
I worry THAT PEOPLE DETEST EACH OTHER
I understand YOU SHOULD BE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
I say YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING
I dream THAT THE WORLD IS SMILING
I try TO KEEP THE EARTH CLEAN
I hope I HAVE EXPLAINED WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT
I am A SHY GIRL.
My
Trip Around The World
It was Saturday and 7.00 a.m. My parents dragged me out of bed. I knew why, it was the day for the "Interfaith World Pilgrimage Trip". No--we were not going around the world, but we were going to different places of worship around Washington, D.C. We were going to visit these four religious places: Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, and Hindu (the Bhakti path followers).
On the way to Cloverly Elementary, I was thinking about what we would see. When we got to the school, I made a few new friends for the trip, like Rohit and Amol. After that the boys and girls got into the van that Vilasiniji had arranged for. Then we were off to the mosque, where we were going to receive a talk on the Islamic culture.
At the mosque, the Director gave us a wonderful speech about what the normal Muslim life is. He said everything so fast, that I could barely make out any words, but I could make out a few. He told us about the Muslim laws and rules. The ladies have to wear scarves, but not the girls. After that we went into the main part of the building. It was beautiful. In the main part, the Director showed us the Koran, the sacred book for Muslims, in many different languages.
Next, we were on our way to the National Cathedral in D.C. At the Cathedral, we saw huge gorgeous rooms that sometimes told a story, or a symbol of Jesus: the holy cross, or prayer rooms. At the Cathedral, we learnt about Easter. Did you know that Vilasiniji went there when she was in middle and high school? We had a great time at the Cathedral.
After the Cathedral, we went to Subway for lunch. This was the midpoint of our trip around the world. The place we were going to next was far away in Tibet. Of course, I am kidding, but it was 45 minutes drive to the small town of Poolesville. We were going to a Buddhist place of worship that looked just like ‘Kailash Niwas’.
When we got to the Buddhist temple, Vilasiniji told us that we were going to see a few interesting things like the 24-hour prayer room for world peace and some Stupas. Inside, we saw lots of interesting things like 1,002 statues of Buddha, crystals and Buddhist religious objects. Next, we had a question and answer session with a tour guide. Some of the questions were: where do you get those huge crystals? Why do you have the huge banners up? Then the tour guide told us about the Stupas and that Stupas do special things like heal you from diseases. Stupas are giant diamond-shaped statues and you go around them and make a wish. But you have to go clockwise around them. After we went around one Stupa, we left.
Next, we were on our way to the Hindu temple of Bhakti-based devotees called Hare Krishna Temple. After a short drive, we were there. As we entered, we saw many people dancing and chanting the Krishna prayer. After the dancing stopped, they very kindly introduced us to the temple. I couldn’t believe how many Americans had turned from Christian to Hindu. Next, they served us dinner and we had a question and answer time. They said they mainly believe in Krishna and Vishnu. Finally, we left after a great day of excitement back to Cloverly Elementary School, where my parents were attending a seminar by Gaurangbhai Nanavatiji.
I really want to thank all the people, Vilasiniji, Suresh uncle, and Deepa aunty, who volunteered their time for this wonderful experience. Thank you everybody! I hope we can have an interfaith pilgrimage every year!
Our
Pilgrimage Tour
In our pilgrimage tour on Saturday, March 17, we first went to a mosque. In the mosque, we learnt that when Ramadan starts, the Muslim people eat during the night but not during the day. There are six million Muslims in the United States.
In the Cathedral, there were very pretty pictures. We saw lots of pictures of Jesus in the Cathedral. We saw pictures of Jesus where he was a spirit because after Jesus died, Jesus came back to life again. There were angels near Jesus when he came back to life.
In the Buddhist temple we learnt that Buddha taught you to love all people. We went outside and we ran to the right side of the big Stupa. After that we got to make a wish. The Stupa we went to was powerful because the Stupa can give you a very good wish.
Last, we went to my favorite place called the Hare Krishna Temple. In the Hare Krishna Temple, we got to dance inside the building. We danced by spinning with two or more people. We also danced by stepping our feet together close to the other person’s body. After that we got to eat food for dinner, pasta, buns and sweets.
The trip started at 8.30 in the morning and ended at 6.30 in the evening. We played lots of games while we were on the trip. Thank you Vilasiniji, Suresh uncle, and Deepa aunty for the pilgrimage tour. We had fun and we want to send you our love.
My favorite day at Chinmaya
Mission
If I had to pick my favorite day at Chinmaya Mission it would be my first day. I picked this day because I was so
surprised how organized it was. Before this day Sunday had just been another day of the week, except
that I got to sleep in. Now it is a special day where I get to learn
interesting facts about my culture, meet friends, listen to Swamiji's jokes, and dress up in Indian clothes.
This is how my first day took place. First everyone got up and got ready. Then we all set our books, got in the car, and made the half hour journey to Cloverley Elementary School. When we got there everyone stood up and sang the aarthi. At first it was hard to learn such a long song but at every meeting it became a little bit easier. Next was the pledge. I was amazed how everyone spoke with such unison that it sounded like one voice. Also the rhythm was very simple to follow. After this we all sat in rows separated by the classes which were separated by grades. I had found out that I was to be in Shivanandam.
We had Common Time which consisted of Swamiji reading the "message of the day", Swamiji telling jokes, and maybe an interesting story or riddle. After this time we were called off by rows to go to our classrooms. When I got to my classroom I was happy because I saw all of my friends in there too. We all sat together and Raghu Rao uncle and Sri Devi aunti took attendance. They told us to reply with Hari Om instead of Here. We started class with a song. They told us stories, taught us symbolism of gods and prayer, answered our questions, gave us a small homework assignment, and were extremely patient and nice. At eleven thirty the bell rang (well not really) and we concluded class with a prayer. Then they dismissed us. Everyone made their way to the front hall to find their parents, siblings, friends in other classes, prasdam, and shoes.
Prasdam
was chocolate covered raisins (yum). I got all of my things and my parents,
sister, and I headed to our car. While we were driving out of the parking lot I thought to my self, wow that was great, I can't wait to come back
next week.
Being part of something as big as Chinmaya Mission really makes you feel like part of a team. I was glad one day when I told my friend, "Sorry, I can't. I have Chinmaya mission that day."
I'm really grateful that I have something as strong as Chinamaya Mission in my life. There's nothing that I would change about Chinmaya Mission because it's all ready perfect. It has changed the lives of many people who will never forget it. Those are all reasons why I picked my first day as my favorite day at Chinmaya Mission.
Love,
Sabala Baskar
My Most Memorable Experience at the Chinmaya Mission
I have been taking part in the Geeta Chanting Competition for the last 3 years and have proudly displayed my trophies in our living room. It was with the hopes of adding one more trophy to my collection that I took part in the Geeta Chanting Competition, this year. Little did I realize when I came first in my group that I had an adventure in store ahead of me.
I thought my Chapter X memorizing work was over now. Imagine my surprise when my Mom told me that I was going to Chicago and competing with other finalists in the National Championship. I was very excited because this was the first time I was going to Chicago. It was also the first time I was travelling without my Mom or Dad.
On August 3, 2000, I got up early in the morning and went to the airport. I met Uncle Nirbhay Bansal and his daughter, Megha there. I said bye to my Mom as I got on the plane. After we landed in Chicago Midway Airport, we took a bus to the Alamos’ car rental place. We rented a car and drove two hours to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where the Mahasamadhi Camp was being held. I got to see the Sears Tower and Lake Superior while passing.
In the camp, I had lunch and got ready for the competition. There were hundreds of participants. I started to feel nervous. At about 3:00 p.m., our age group went into their corresponding rooms so that we could start chanting. When they called me, I started to sweat. I tried to stay calm. I was successful. I chanted well.
Later, I found my friend, Sarvesh. We went to the trophy room together. There I saw none other than Swami Tejomayanandaji himself. I had heard so much about him, but this was the first time I was seeing him in person. He was the person who was giving out the trophies! I sat in suspense as he called out the names of the third and second place winners. Then he called out the winner of the first prize. Alas, it was not me! I was sad, but not too sad. The certificate and medal of participation were excellent prizes. "Next year I will do better," I said to myself.
On the drive back I looked out of the window and thought about the day’s events. When we got on the plane, I fell asleep. That is the last I remember.
The next day at home, I realized that I had gained lots of experience and I was very happy that I had participated in the Geeta Chanting Competition. From now on, I will enthusiastically participate in the competition, for not only does it open up my mind to new possibilities, but also it provides me with exciting experiences. This was my most memorable experience at the Chinmaya Mission.