Dharma 7

Hindu Ideals and Values

2020-2021

Class Information -

This class covers: Review inspiring life stories of Hindu/Jain Sages and Saints (such as Mahavir Swami, Tulsidas), Kings (e.g., Shivaji), political leaders (e.g., Mahatma Gandhi) and major historical events. Use these biographies and events to teach Hindu values such as Ahimsa, compassion, Bhakti respect, morals, and so on. This class also has a major focus on our internal enemies and how to overcome those. Students also learn about Ashtanga Yoga and the 16 basic steps of Hindu Puja ceremony. This course focuses on ‘saadhaarana dharma’/ sanaatana dharma (general ethical precepts of Dharma) from a Hindu standpoint.

Ages: 10-11 / Grade: 5-6

Download PDF copy of book: CLICK HERE


Teachers -

Teachers:

  • Bhakti Modi

  • Jayant Anand

EMAIL teachers: bhaktibm@gmail.com, jayant@jayantanand.com

Teenage Volunteers:

  • Adhvaith Sridhar

  • Anagha Manoj

  • Pranav Narayanam


Class & Homework -

May

May 16

We had our class presentation today. The students did an AMAZING job!! We are very impressed with their hard work.

Here are the student's slides

Here is the recording for presentation

Next week we will have games and snacks day in class. Parents are welcome to join! We will have an interactive quiz and everyone can bring their favorite food to eat.


May 9

Ignorance

  • Lack of knowledge

  • Not open minded

  • Not listening to people

  • Not knowing what’s happening around you

  • Turning a blind eye to what’s going on

  • Not being in the right mindset

  • Ego taking over

Topics related to ignorance:

  • Harshness

  • Cruelty

  • Hatred

  • Enmity

  • 6 Internal Enemies

  • Hypocrisy

  • Gossiping Stealing

Intentional Ignorance

  • Purposeful

  • Not understanding someone when they are making an effort

  • Not thinking of other’s ideas

  • Focusing on what you want only

  • Selfishness

  • Discrimination

    • Characterizing someone based on a quality

    • Pointing out someone’s differences

    • E.g. race, ethnicity, skin color, gender, etc

  • Racism

  • OK to know differences

  • But it’s a problem when:

    • Hold something against someone else

    • Limiting someone because of their differences

    • Saying no, taking away opportunities

    • Blaming one person for larger problem

Unintentional Ignorance

  • Not on purpose

  • Saying something you believe to be true

  • Got wrong information

  • Don’t mean something, difference in understanding

  • We don’t know what we don’t know

  • Blind spot

  • Stereotypes

    • “Asian people are smart”

    • Girls like pink, boys like blue

    • Girls cook, boys work (house related work)

    • Political awareness

    • Young age = not smart, teenager = difficult, adult = smart

    • Experience isn’t enough when you’re young

    • Health judgements when you’re older

    • We don’t want to get older

    • Activities depending on age and gender

    • Technology comfort

  • Tone of how things are said

  • The environment when/where things are said

Intentional vs Unintentional

  • Intentional

    • You know what you’re doing

    • You have a wrong mindset

    • People can handle better with intentional

    • Can be harder to change your mind

    • Affects your ego

  • Unintentional

    • When you know don’t know you’re doing it

    • Its hard to control

    • Don’t know how to fix it

    • Harder for external reputation

    • Others may not know if its unintentional

    • Implicit reactions

  • Both are equally bad

How can we overcome

  • Seeking knowledge

  • The more we learn

  • Ignorance cannot be an excuse

  • Be extra aware when it affects point

  • Learn from yours or other’s experiences

  • Think before you speak/act - is this going to hurt someone

  • Have empathy towards others situation

  • Have conversations with people who think differently - with an open mind

  • Test and share your reality with others

  • Stop stereotyping (even good or bad)

  • Speak up if you’re being stereotyped

  • Open up your friend circle to diversity


PRESENTATION PREP:

  • Speak clearly

  • ENUNCIATE your words

  • Be aware of your surroundings, limit distractions

  • Use headphones/headset

  • Make sure camera is working

  • Dress in Indian outfits

  • PRACTICE your topic

  • PRACTICE your shloka

  • IT'S OK if you mess up or stumble, just pause and try again



May 2

  • We did breakout sessions today and all students reviewed their notes for upcoming annual presentation on 5/16

  • Also talked about other preparations for presentation and things to practice:

    • Speak clearly

    • ENUNCIATE your words

    • Be aware of your surroundings, limit distractions

    • Use headphones/headset

    • Make sure camera is working

    • Dress in Indian outfits

    • PRACTICE your topic

    • PRACTICE your shloka

    • IT'S OK if you mess up or stumble, just pause and try again

SCHEDULE:

  • 5/1 - have first draft of slides complete

  • 5/2 - breakout sessions in class to review slides/notes

  • 5/9 - deadline to send final slides to Pranav at - npranav2002@gmail.com

  • 5/16 - final presentation during class time (parents requested to join!)

  • 5/23 - last day


Homework:

  • Read Chapter 21 - Ignorance


April

April 25

Ask your parents:

Why do we do aarti?

  • To respect elders

  • Offerings to Bhagwan, not to ask but to respect

  • To get closer to God

  • To show gratitude to God

  • For our own discipline and learning and benefit

Why do we do aarti/pradakshina/anything clockwise?

  • Because Earth spins clockwise

  • Most other things in the natural universe have a natural direction of clockwise

  • Hindu practices are very scientific and nature based

  • It’s always faith + science = best results

Rituals:

  • A form of “religious” tradition - an action or series of actions that are continued over time through generations

  • AARTI:

    • Plate - revolve it clockwise

    • “Diya” form of a candle/flame

    • Other items in the plate

    • Turn on lights

  • Why do we light a diya:

    • Symbolism - light over darkness

    • Literally - light

    • Moving diya clockwise helped see Bhagwan when there was no electricity

  • When you see rituals at home, ask more about their history


Relationship with parents

  • Why should we respect our parents?

    • In Hindu Dharma we are taught to respect our elders

    • They took care of us

    • They taught us the stuff we know

    • Our basic skills come from our parents

    • They have more knowledge and experience than us, we can learn from them

    • We are dependent on our parents for first part of our lives

    • They created us - literally

    • God is in everything and everyone

  • How can we respect and have good interactions with our parents?

    • Listen and obey when we can

    • Be kind

    • Don’t scream or raise voice

    • Don’t make things harder

    • Help out in the house when you can

    • Don’t physically harm them

  • What are things that we should avoid:

    • Arguments and raising voice

    • Blaming them for things you did

    • Avoiding bad language

    • In public - stay safe and close

    • Limit pleading and begging for things

    • Humiliating them

  • In Hindu culture:

    • Parents often stay with children at an elderly age

      • Starting to change these days

    • They can help guide with their experience

    • Spend time with longer periods of time, instead of short visits

    • They can help take care of things around the house (kids, pets, etc)

    • They are company, avoid loneliness

    • Great relationship for grandchildren

    • Struggles:

      • Need more resources to care for them

      • May not be able to spend time alone

      • Generation gap - difference in opinions

      • Can get lonely

    • If someone chooses an elderly home:

      • Resources for health care

      • They have other people of their age and perspective

    • If you live in different state, how can you help:

      • Visit whenever possible

      • Spend time talking to them

      • Get them what they need using technology

      • Take turns with different members of family

  • When we learn from old stories, learn to adjust to current world and culture

    • E.g. Ram - he was able to leave, no questions asked

    • That concept is harder today

    • Obeying is important with the right perspective, knowledge, and experience

    • Don’t just blindly obey, know your capacity

    • Focus on alternatives

    • Don’t just obey all elders, know who has the right wisdom


Relationship with Siblings

  • How to have a good relationship:

    • Limit fighting

    • Help them with what they need

    • Listen to them

    • Spend time with them

    • Let them borrow your things

    • Share with them

    • Get to know them as a person

    • Be kind to them

    • Talk to them

    • Support them

    • Include them

    • If sibling is struggling, be an extra support and help

    • Stick up for them

    • Stand up to bullies, but avoid physical violence

  • Avoid:

    • Don’t do things to make them dislike you

    • Stop arguments whenever possible

    • Don’t blame things on your siblings

    • Taking things from them

    • Don’t ignore them

    • Excluding them

    • If you’re elder - don’t disrespect the younger

    • If you’re younger - don’t disrespect the elder

    • Avoid revenge

    • Avoid a cycle of bad behavior

    • Don’t skip on helping them even if there’s a fight

    • Don’t let ego get in the way

    • Don’t act negatively in front of others

    • Don’t criticize them

  • E.g. from Ramayana or Mahabharata of sibling relationships -

    • Lakshman sticks up for Ram

    • Pandavas always stay together

    • Duryodhana always protecting his brothers

  • What do you do if your sibling is doing something wrong/bad:

    • If you’re elder, try to guide them

    • If you’re younger, try to talk to them by changing their ideas, have discussion

    • E.g. Ravana

      • Vibhishana took the right path, he constantly tried to talk to Ravana and said to avoid revenge

      • Ravana shouldn’t have acted on revenge - it eventually led to his defeat

      • Vibhishana did the right thing going to Ram’s side, even though Ravana was his brother

      • After he tried everything, he continued to follow the path of Dharma

      • Similar to Arjun - had to fight his family/cousin

  • Sibling relationships are very unique

    • Only one who knows things the same way you do

    • Raised in the same way as you

    • Only siblings can relate to you

    • They can stand up for you in your own family

    • You can bond over the ups and downs at home

    • They can be a buffer in your home as needed

    • Know most of your secrets and thoughts

    • Most likely similar age and lifestyle

    • Good relationships last a lifetime

    • Always have someone to turn to

    • Have a relationship no matter how close/far you are

    • It can get lonely if you don’t have a good relationship with your sibling

    • Different types of relationships with twins - no elder and younger, same relationships



SCHEDULE:

  • 5/1 - have first draft of slides complete

  • 5/2 - breakout sessions in class to review slides/notes

  • 5/9 - deadline to send final slides to Pranav at - npranav2002@gmail.com

  • 5/16 - final presentation during class time (parents requested to join!)

  • 5/23 - last day



April 18

Presentation on Ashtanga Yoga. CLICK HERE to review notes/outline

Jnana - Spiritual Knowledge (Gyan)

  • Knowledge

  • What you gain

  • Gaining knowledge vs knowing things: how you react to what you know

      • Knowing things - Stove is on = it is really hot

      • Understanding/knowledge - It is really hot = do not touch it

  • Knowledge is what you gain from someone who can guide you, who knows better, who helps, who can teach us lessons

  • First you learn foundation and concepts - facts and history

  • Then you focus on how to apply those ideas and concepts into life

  • Keep asking why, try to learn the real meaning

  • Reading and seeing just help you know the top level

  • Asking why, getting involved, taking that extra step - that’s what gives you knowledge

  • Until we ask why, we can’t grow or learn

  • Learning how to ask questions is just as important as knowing the answer

  • It’s really easy for adults to say “just because” or “it’s how it’s always been” - we have to KINDLY push past that and focus on learning

  • Don't worry about how people react to you

  • If you don’t find an answer in one place, try another


Homework:

  • Ask your parents - why do we do aarti? And why do we do aarti/pradakshina/anything clockwise?

  • Chapter 3 (relationship with parents) & 4 (relationship with siblings)

  • Keep practicing habits

  • And keep working on your slides


End-of-Year Presentation:

Presentation slides:

  • Each student should download the slides and fill out the information based on their assigned topics

  • They should use the textbook materials, any thing we covered in class (see notes on webpage), and personal information for the slides

  • DATES:

    • 5/1 - have first draft of slides complete

    • 5/2 - breakout sessions in class to review slides/notes

    • 5/9 - deadline to send final slides to Pranav at - npranav2002@gmail.com

    • 5/16 - final presentation during class time (parents requested to join!)

Topic Assignments -

  • Aadi Thakker - Chapter 50 - Environmental Awareness

  • Aarav Thakker - Chapter 14 - Anger, the Second Enemy

  • Aarna Narayan - Chapter 17 - Pride, the Fifth Enemy

  • Aasmi Patil - Chapter 18 - Jealousy, the Sixth Enemy

  • Abha Manoj - Chapter 36 - Truthfulness and Honesty

  • Amogh Patil - Chapter 30 - Gentleness

  • Archith Sridhar - Chapter 2 - The Science of Mind and Sense Organs

  • Aryan Dutta - Chapter 33 & 34 - Charity & Seva

  • Deepak Palleri - Chapter 11 - Good Study Habits

  • Eshaan Parnerkar - Chapter 29 - Compassion towards all Creatures

  • Madhav Kumar - Chapter 28 - Shanti (Peacefulness)

  • Nandika Deelchand - Chapter 13 - Desire, the First Enemy

  • Nikhil Samaroo - Chapter 15 - Greed, the Third Enemy

  • Nilesh Samaroo - Chapter 38 - Forgiveness

  • Pramsu Narayanam - Chapter 21 - Ignorance

  • Sanjana Mantha - Chapter 24 - Gossiping and Backbiting

  • Sohum Patil - Chapter 16 - Delusion, the Fourth Enemy

  • Surabhi Velez - Chapter 31 - Empathy

  • Ved Bastodkar - Chapter 12 - The Six Internal Enemies

  • Vedant Gupta - Chapter 27 - Ahimsa (Not hurting others)


April 11

Environmental Awareness

  • Being aware of how our actions affect the environment

  • Knowing how you can help the environment

  • Environment:

    • Nature

    • Livestock

    • Living beings

    • Structure of the world

  • Example:

    • Knowing that little things can start forest fires

    • Air pollution: certain cars produce carbon emissions

    • Transportation: take a bike, walk, carpool, public transport

    • Plastic usage: reusable items

    • Limiting waste: reusable items

    • Volunteer for cleanup

    • Meat consumption

    • Organic foods

  • Limit hoarding

  • Be content with what you have

  • Don’t get something unless you need it

  • Leave no trace of your presence

    • When you go somewhere, look around and leave the place how you found it

    • Don’t disturb the environment when you go somewhere

    • Grow your own plants

Attitude towards Food

  • The food that we consume has a direct impact on environment and self

  • Quality of food is important

  • Being less picky, eat what you have available

  • Be thankful for the food you have

  • Junk food

    • Lots of sugar and salt

    • Tastes “better”

    • Satisfies our immediate desire

    • Instant energy

    • Oily

    • Addiction

    • You will crash later

    • You will be hungry very soon

    • “Empty calories”

    • Lots of waste

  • Nutritious food

    • Even small quantities can fill you up

    • Gives your body what it needs

    • Gives us sustenance


Homework:

  • Start making small changes when monitoring food/environment

  • Keep doing your habits

  • Start working on your presentation

  • Chapter 8: Take care of books and study materials

  • Chapter 53: Jnana - Spiritual knowledge


March

March 28

Assigned chapters for final class presentation:

  • Aadi Thakker - Chapter 50 - Environmental Awareness

  • Aarav Thakker - Chapter 14 - Anger, the Second Enemy

  • Aarna Narayan - Chapter 17 - Pride, the Fifth Enemy

  • Aasmi Patil - Chapter 18 - Jealousy, the Sixth Enemy

  • Abha Manoj - Chapter 36 - Truthfulness and Honesty

  • Amogh Patil - Chapter 30 - Gentleness

  • Archith Sridhar - Chapter 2 - The Science of Mind and Sense Organs

  • Aryan Dutta - Chapter 33 & 34 - Charity & Seva

  • Deepak Palleri - Chapter 11 - Good Study Habits

  • Eshaan Parnerkar - Chapter 29 - Compassion towards all Creatures

  • Nandika Deelchand - Chapter 13 - Desire, the First Enemy

  • Nikhil Samaroo - Chapter 15 - Greed, the Third Enemy

  • Nilesh Samaroo - Chapter 38 - Forgiveness

  • Pramsu Narayanam - Chapter 21 - Ignorance

  • Sanjana Mantha - Chapter 24 - Gossiping and Backbiting

  • Sohum Patil - Chapter 16 - Delusion, the Fourth Enemy

  • Surabhi Velez - Chapter 31 - Empathy

  • Ved Bastodkar - Chapter 12 - The Six Internal Enemies


Performance of worship

  • Praying to god for blessings (divine power)

  • Devotion

  • Don’t go to god for wrong reasons

  • Can’t pray for good fortunes without performing good actions

  • There is no substitute for hard work

  • Reference to story of Prahlad -- devotion to Lord Vishnu

  • Focus on actions and surrender outcomes to the will of god


Study of scriptures

  • Scriptures tell you how to lead your life

  • Thoughts of wise people


Homework:

  • Chapter 50: Environmental Awareness

  • Chapter 9: Attitude Towards Food

  • Continue/start habit #2



March 21

Contentment

  • Feel full (mentally or emotionally or physically)

  • Feel satisfied

  • Feel happy

  • Feel acceptance

  • Examples:

    • When you’re hungry and get to eat

    • After all your work is done, you get to enjoy your day

    • If you’re struggling with something, but then you finish well

    • At end of day, you look back and like what you’ve done

    • Practicing or studying for a test, then get a good grade

    • When you finally get to go somewhere you wanted to

    • When you finish learning something new that you enjoy

  • Common in all examples:

    • Avoiding something you don’t want

    • Focusing on the good

    • You’re getting something

    • You get peace

    • Focusing on the RESULTS of the situation

  • Our goal of contentment, as humans:

    • Best result

    • The work before the results is “hard”

  • What we need to learn:

    • Feel contentment for our actions leading to results

    • Feel proud of ourselves for whatever you do

    • Ask ourselves was our effort worth it

  • In Gita - Krishna says to Arjun:

    • A smart person knows to find contentment in what you do, not just in results

    • Having a balance is importance - not be too happy or too bad

    • When we have too many highs and lows, the gap in the middle causes us stress

    • Focus on what we have control over: our actions, not results

  • In Ramayana - Ram:

    • Ram goes into exile - he’s content with that, he’s ok with it - not mad or focused on being king

    • Raavan (wrongly) - focused on end result, rather than what was going on

  • How to feel content:

    • Help out in situations where you can, instead of being stressed and waiting

    • Appreciate that you can be hungry, so you can enjoy your food more

    • Focus on and be satisfied with the amount of work you put in

  • What stops us from contentment:

    • INTERNAL ENEMIES


Purity of Mind:

  • Having a clear mind

  • Able to focus on more and right things

  • Not being or doing too much of things

  • Thinking about good things and thoughts

  • Avoiding bad thoughts

  • Having a balance of things

  • Avoiding internal enemies

  • Purity of mind:

    • It’s very specific to each person

    • Controlling and managing your thoughts

    • Understand good vs bad - but then acting on it

    • Knowing when to react and how to react

    • Understanding that we don’t control results

    • Focusing on the right actions

    • Avoiding internal enemies

  • Example: Gandhi Ji - so much pressure and expectations, half the world with him and half against him. Regardless of what others said, he was clear with what he was doing, what he wanted, and he was OK with it. He didn’t let other people’s thoughts and desires affect his actions.


Homework:

  • Keep practicing your shloka meanings

  • Read chapters: 51 (Performance of Worship) & 52 (Study of Scriptures)

  • Keep practicing habits, we will start habit #2 next class



March 14

Poorna Madah:

  • Om: supreme being - supreme power within all of us

  • Poornam: complete/full (supreme power)

  • Ada: that (outer world)

  • Poornam: complete/full (supreme power)

  • Idam: this (inner world)

  • Poornaat: from completeness (supreme power)

  • Poornam: complete/full (supreme power)

  • Udachyate: comes from

  • Poornasya: of completeness

  • Poornam: complete/full (supreme power)

  • Aadaya: taking

  • Poornam: complete/full (supreme power)

  • Eva: truly/indeed

  • Avashishya(te): remaining

  • Shanti x3: peace - past, present, future / body, soul, mind / others, nature, self

  • Overall meaning: If completeness (of supreme power) is taken away from completeness, only completeness remains.

    • Example: If you light one candle from the fire of another candle, neither's fire becomes more or less. If you join the wicks together, neither is destroyed nor expanded. Similarly, our soul comes from Bhagwan, but Bhagwan is still complete, and so are we. We are all part of, and come from, the same soul.

    • Example: If you share your knowledge with someone, your knowledge doesn’t go away, and combined together you still have the same knowledge. Kindness also works in the same way. As do other values.

    • We talked about how thinking of Poornamadah is a great way to overcome our internal enemies. When we recognize that we have Bhagwan and the supreme power inside us, we will be more inclined to make good decisions and do positive things.


  • Simple living

    • Not being extensive

    • Living with motivation

    • Not chasing attention

    • Not focusing too much on complex decisions

    • Limit unnecessary items

    • When we have a desire, think about WHY we want

      • Then think about the impact of our choice

    • Focusing on your needs, not your wants

      • Avoiding Greed

    • Set an example for others

    • Don’t take on more than you can do

      • Actions matter in simple living

    • Be thankful and appreciative of what you have

      • Helps limit Desires

    • Set limits on stopping

      • Problem: we always want more

      • Focus on what others may need

      • Donate what you don’t need

      • Find alternatives, save where you can

      • Try to combine your resources

      • Don’t focus on how things look

      • Try to reuse and get “used” things instead of new

    • Example:

      • Find alternate ways of travel to help environment


  • Gossiping

    • Talking about someone behind their back

    • Filling in gaps as a third party

    • It is often mis-information

    • Most likely “negative”

    • Impact on self:

      • Lose trust from people

      • Affects reputation, can be known as “bad”

    • Results:

      • Starts a chain reaction

      • Can get caught

      • Becomes like the game of telephone

      • Can turn into rumors

      • Eventually can turn into bullying

    • Don’t say something about someone that you wouldn’t say to their face

    • Comes down to honesty

    • Another form of lying

    • Judging others

    • Stretching the truth

    • Non-harmful things can turn into problems

    • MEDIA is a dangerous place - they will change to show what they want

    • If someone is gossipping to you:

      • Can impact your decisions

      • You have to draw the line

      • We’re not sure of other people’s intent

      • Be aware of why it’s being discussed

    • Avoid:

      • Think about how you would feel

      • If it was accidental: make up for it by being honest

      • Find alternate ways of saying something (be gentler)


Homework:

  • Read Chapter 44 - Contentment & Chapter 47 - Purity of Mind

  • Meaning of the prayers

  • Keep practicing your habits



March 7

We started class with mahashivaratri presentation.

We went around the class and all teachers & students recorded their first habit for our annual habits project. We will keep tracking every week and add more habits by end of month.


  • In relation to habits:

    • We’re trying live in a better/simpler way

    • We’re trying to avoid hypocrisy

    • Telling people to do something, but not doing it ourselves

    • *ACCOUNTABILITY*

HYPOCRISY

  • Saying something, but doing something else

  • Not following rules or guidelines that you made for others

  • Be careful of how we give advice to others

    • Be open about struggles and background

    • Always try to explain “why”

    • Don’t tell someone to do something that you cannot do yourself

  • Examples:

    • Governments and wars - “All men are created equal”

    • Family members - (chores, lessons, etc)

  • When we call out hypocrisy

    • People deny it

    • Come up with an excuse

    • It can impact trust

    • It can promote people to lie

    • People can feel attacked

    • **EGO**

  • How can we react to hypocrisy in a productive way

    • Anonymously give a suggestion

    • Be told nicely and kindly

    • Provide explanations

    • Offer collaboration

    • Subtle hints

    • Get help from a third party

    • Approach situation calmly

    • Be careful that we’re not calling out hypocrisy incorrectly

      • Be aware of situation, surroundings, and intent

      • Is someone saying something for your benefit or being a hypocrite


Homework:

  • Simple living

  • Read chapter 24 (Gossiping)

  • Continue tracking habits

  • Meaning of: poornamadah (word by word)




February

February 28

We started class with breakout sessions where the students worked together to write out the word-by-word meaning of saha nau avatu and discuss internal enemies and values:

Breakout: 

saha nau avatu Saha nau bhunaktu

Saha – together

Nau – “both”

avatu – protected / safe

bhunaktu – healthy

True meaning: Let’s all (both) be protected and healthy

Saha viryam Kara va vahay

Saha – together

Viryam – power / energy

Kara Va Vahay – “hand / use” – do work/action together

True meaning: together let us have energy and perform well (doing actions, not being lazy)

Tejasvi na vadheeta mastu

Tejasvi – light / intellect / brilliance

Nau(v) – both / all

Adheeta(m) – learning

Astu – be

True meaning: Let us learn together and become brilliant

Maa vidhvishaa vahaye

Ma – not

Vidhvisha Vahai – having hostility

True meaning: not hurting or hating each other

Om shanti shanti shanti: 

  1.  Environment, others, self

  1.  Past, present, future

  1.  Body, mind, soul

6 Internal enemies and their sanskrit words: 

  1.  Desire – kaam

  1.  Anger – krodha

  1.  Greed – lobha

  1.  Delusion – moha

  1.  Ego – mada

  1.  Jealousy – matsarya

Top values (collection from each group) to combat internal enemies: 

  •  Honesty

  •  Truthfulness

  •  Forgiveness

  • Kindness

  • Humility

  • Kindness

  • Meditation

  • Letting go of attachments

  • Try not to react to enemies (calmness)

  • Think about why you are going to react

  • Ignore the enemy by walking away/or by doing something good instead (act back with kindness)


Habits -

  • Sleep: Have between 6-9 hours of sleep

    • Sleeping in

    • Sleeping late

    • Just laying in bed even though you’re not asleep

    • Going back to bed

    • Not wanting to shower

    • SNOOZE

  • Why is it harder to manage sleep:

    • We like comfort

    • Its a rolling effect, easy to mess up following days

    • Sleep is NEEDED - so we use that as an excuse

    • We use tired as an excuse

    • Laziness

    • Not prioritizing our other activities

    • We don’t give sleep enough importance

    • Having nighttime schedule works better for morning habits


Homework:

  • Read Chapter 19 (Hypocrisy) & Chapter 43 (Simple Living)

HABITS PROJECT:

    • Pick a SMALL, SIMPLE, DAILY habit to start

    • E.g. make bed, brush teeth at night, floss every day, read to 10 min

    • Anything that you do EVERY SINGLE DAY

    • It takes 21 days to develop a habit

    • Start your habit this week

    • DOWNLOAD TRACKING SHEET:

      1. PDF version for printing: CLICK HERE

      2. EXCEL version for digital: CLICK HERE



February 21

Harshness/Cruelty

  • Purposefully being mean

    • Often when others may or may not have done something

  • Hurting animals (as they are defenseless)

  • Harshness: Being harder than you need to

  • Cruelty: Harassment

  • Harshness:

    • Sarcasm

    • Harsh can also be “strict”

    • When law enforcement has consequences

    • Too harsh can turn into cruelty

    • When parents are enforcing certain things

    • CAN avoid being mean

    • May be coming out ignorance or a good place

    • Examples:

      • People in power (leaders of nations)

      • Parents giving consequences

      • Krishna & Ram were harsh for the sake of bringing peace

      • Hanuman burning Lanka - it was a prime example of being harsh for a reason

      • Animals do what they need to for survival

  • Cruelty:

    • Can be next step after harshness

    • Is rooted in meanness

    • Don’t consider someone else’s perspective

    • Being harsh without considering consequences

    • Something that causes pain and suffering

    • Something that is done intentionally bad

    • Something that is done for self benefit

    • Desire or intention to hurt

    • Examples:

      • Discrimination

      • Wars (esp over land or religion)

      • Focusing on intent on borders and separation

  • Overcoming:

    • Choice of words is important: you don’t have to be harsh to send a message

    • Focus thoughts on what our values REALLY mean

    • Force of any kind should be a last resort - especially in time of conflict/war

    • Understanding why others may have made a specific choice

Hatred & Enmity

  • Hatred:

    • Not liking something to an EXTREME

    • Very strong word & emotion

    • Can result in hurting someone else

    • Consequences:

      • More likely to lash out

      • Result of internal enemies

      • Losing thought process and perspective

      • Lash out

  • Enmity:

    • Release your anger and fight others

    • Being opposed to something

    • Being hostile and having animosity

    • Being prejudiced to a group of people

    • Bad actions are a result of other bad actions

    • “Enemy” - we create our own enemies

      • Revenge

      • Comparison

      • More likely to be harsh, then turn into cruel, then turn into hatred

      • More likely to start fighting


saha nau avatu Saha nau bhunaktu

True meaning: May god protect both teachers and students

Saha viryam Kara va vahay

True meaning: May we relish in our studies

Tejasvi na vadheeta mastu

True meaning: may our studies be enlightening

True meaning: may we attain knowledge

Om shanti shanti shanti

-peace for all


Homework

  • Chapter 10 (Balanced Sleeping & Recreation Habits) and Chapter 11 (Good Study Habits)

  • Word by word meaning of saha na avatu (will have breakout session next week)



February 14

Ahimsa: Non-violence

  • Avoiding violence

  • Not hurting other people

  • Being harmless

  • Making sure you get heard, but not by violence

  • Being verbal

  • Respecting other people and their ideas

  • Staying nonviolent regardless of environment and others

  • Public non-violence: peaceful protests as an example

  • Being kind and understanding towards SELF


Physical

  • VIOLENCE:

    • Punching, hitting

    • Sibling fights

    • Murdering, stabbing

    • Riots

    • Public shootings

  • Who is more likely to be violent:

    • Desperate people

    • Not being heard by words

    • People who are personally affected by situation

    • Who don’t think for themselves

    • Just want to impact others

    • Revenge

    • Who do not care about consequences - they are acting out on their internal enemies, not their morals and values

    • Do not use their: INTELLECT


Verbal

  • VIOLENCE:

    • Argument can lead to

    • Threatening somebody

    • Blackmail

    • Being mean

    • Blaming others

    • Spreading and promoting hate

    • Overly self defensive

    • Bad words - slurs - statements

    • Public displays of bad actions

    • Discrimination: Racism - ageism - sexism - physical

      • Judgement

    • The minute you put someone else down

  • Reaction:

    • Your internal enemy can get triggered

    • You’re at risk of reacting with physical violence

    • You can end up saying something back

    • You lose your self-confidence

      • You could feel like changing yourself so people think you’re better

    • You feel hurt

  • How to act:

    • Ignore the situation - walk away

    • Deep breaths

    • Respond with kindness

    • Being mean does not equal being strong

    • Focus on compromising

    • Being empathic

  • Thoughts lead to action

    • Important to keep thoughts clear

      • When we have resentment, we are more likely to retaliate

      • Clear thoughts help with patience

    • Think about why you’re doing what you’re doing

    • Think about big picture


Homework:

  • Read Chapter 22 - Hatred or Enmity & Chapter 20 - Harshness/Cruelty

  • Review and memorize word by word meaning for sahana vavatu (see last week's notes)

  • Re-review the internal enemies and their sanskrit words


February 7

Shaanti

  • Calmness

  • Get away from noise (internally & externally)

  • Mind purity

  • What can prevent OR cause shaanti:

    • People / friends - influences

    • Distractions

    • Siblings / family

    • If someone disagrees with you

    • Activities (e.g. roller coasters)

  • The line that tips it to “stress”

    • Internal enemies

      • Desire - kaam

      • Anger - krodha

      • Greed - lobha

      • Delusion - moha

      • Ego - mada

      • Jealousy - maatsarya

    • Our desires for things distract us

    • People’s opinions may upset us or embarrass us

    • Sensitive and difficult topics

    • Other people’s thoughts about us

    • How do we adjust:

      • Others have internal enemies that they’re acting from

      • Avoid overreacting

      • Act on our values - do not react angrily

      • Do not bring others into a situation

      • Think calmly about a solution

    • How people think of us can impact our reputation and results

    • We want to be seen as successful and good

  • How do we get to calmness

    • Deep breaths

    • Do things you like

    • Count to 10

    • Your action should be based on a value not internal enemy

Gentleness

  • Not being hurtful

  • Being kind

  • Careful and soft

  • Controlling your emotions and actions

  • Being calm and patient

  • Physically:

    • Not hurting

    • Careful around fragile things

    • When you’re in a situation where you’re stronger

  • Mentally:

    • Avoiding saying mean things

    • Be careful of the situation

    • More resistant and understanding

    • Not letting people get to you (you understanding their situation - empathy)

    • Acting with compassion

    • Reacting with calmness (shaanti)

  • Example: RAM


saha nau avatu Saha nau bhunaktu

  • Saha - together

  • Nau - both/all

  • avatu - be protected

  • bhunaktu - be nourished (healthy)

  • True meaning: Let us all be protected (safe) and nourished (healthy)

Saha viryam Kara va vahay

  • Saha - Together

  • Viryam - energy/power

  • Kara Va Vahay - kara=hand - avhai=use (do actions)

  • True meaning: Together let us have energy/power (whether that be mental, physical, or otherwise) and let us do actions (not be lazy).

Tejasvi na vadheeta mastu

  • Tejasvi - light, knowledge, brilliance

  • Nau(v) - both/all

  • Adheeta(m) - intellect/learn

  • Astu - be

  • True meaning: Let us have light (brilliance, intellect) in our life, so we can learn together.

Maa vidhvishaa vahaye

  • Ma - not

  • Vidhvisha Vahai - vidvis=animosity - avahai=have

  • True meaning: Let us not have hostility/animosity towards each other.

Om Shaanti Shaanti Shaanti (say peace 3 times)

Overall meaning: May we all be protected, may we all be nourished, may we all work together with energy, may we all learn and be enlightened, may we not have animosity with each other, may there be peace.


Homework:

  • Read Chapter 27 - Ahimsa

  • Read Chapter 20 - Harshness/Cruelty

  • Review and memorize word by word meaning above for sahana vavatu

  • Re-review the internal enemies and their sanskrit words

  • Upcoming quiz will focus on the these two things (sahana vavatu meaning, internal enemies & names)



January

January 31

Follow up on the symbolism of bhagwan

  • Big head: thinks a lot

  • Large ears: listens more

  • Small mouth: talks less

  • One tusk: retains good, throws bad - also sacrifice

  • Modak: enjoy the sweet things

  • Mouse: desire (uncontrolled causes havoc)

  • Prasad: whole world is at your feet

  • Large stomach: peacefully digest all good and bad

  • Trunk: high efficiency and adaptability

  • Small eyes: concentrate / Large eyes: to see beyond

  • Overall appearance: non-judgement

  • Krishna - https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9f/1f/d8/9f1fd80bc131b35f905c13aa685f1e44.jpg

      • Blue skin: drank poison as baby

      • Flute: human heart - hollow

      • Peacock feather: happiness, nature, dancing

      • Sudarshan chakra: THE weapon - focused good on getting rid of bad

      • Conch shell: sound to start new and auspicious things

      • Smile: find the good in things, teach how to be happy, be calm, do things right

        • Supreme being looking at human behavior - enjoying the silliness

        • PATIENCE and knowing WHEN to teach and talk

  • Durga - https://www.astroved.com/images/pooja/DurgaPooja1400.jpg

      • Lotus: detachment

      • Bow & arrow: energy

      • Bell: enemies and demons away

      • Tiger: power & strength

      • Water pot: fertility

      • Rosary: concentration

      • Sword: discrimination

      • Mace: loyalty and love

      • Trident: courage

      • Crescent moon: good fortune

      • Overall:

        • Removing self ego

        • Working as a community

        • Focusing on the greater good

        • Helping one another

        • Shakti: ENERGY with a purpose

  • Shiva - https://anandaindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/shiva-lotuspose.jpg

      • Trident: 3 aspects of life (mind, intellect, ego / right, left, center)

      • Matted hair: union of mind, body, spirit

      • Third eye: seeing with the mind (seeing beyond physical)

      • Serpent: controlling and maintaining ego

      • Blue throat: holding evil and bad things

      • Meditation: calmness and mind control

      • Ash: everything is temporary

      • Ox (Nandi): patience but also ready to go

      • Represents non discrimination, balance, and calmness - doing the right thing when needed


SHAANTI -

  • PEACE

  • 3 times at the end of prayers

    • Environment - other beings - self

    • Body - mind - soul

    • Past - present - future


Homework -

  • Chapter 28 - Shanti (Peacefulness) & 30 - Gentleness

  • Meaning of: Saha navavatu



January 24

Perseverance:

  • Don’t give up

  • Keep trying

  • Action of dedication

  • Achieving through persistence

  • Trying again and again

  • Working at something

  • Hard work

  • “Perseverance pays off”

  • “You will succeed if you keep trying”

  • “Don’t dream of it, work for it”

  • Effort to do or achieve something


Commitment vs Perseverance vs Hard Work

  • When you commit, you need to persevere - need to do hard work to follow up on commitment

  • All related to hard work

  • You commit by priority - need hard work to complete task - need to persevere to finish

  • Commitment is the thought - perseverance and hard work are the actual work

  • All 3 are a triangle - to get to success


Hard Work - VIGOR

  • Doing something energetically and enthusiastically

  • Doing the right thing even if you don’t like it

  • Not sitting around

  • Do the hard stuff for yourself

  • Changes with age

  • Do something that benefits yourself or others

  • Do your work yourself

  • Avoid getting spoiled

  • Putting effort towards something

  • Our instinct tells us to move to the easy

  • Instead of hard work: beneficial work, work harder

    • Your efforts should be stronger, the work itself shouldn’t be more difficult

    • HARD= solid, tough, not easy to break, strong, not malleable


Commitment vs Perseverance without Working Hard

  • Can complete, without getting too far

  • If task is easy

  • Results in participation

  • If in a group situation, when someone doesn’t work hard

    • Others may have to work harder

    • Some people will just tag along

    • Can affect results (grades)

    • Can become contagious

    • The person who is working hard - can end up overachieving


High School perspective

  • Easier to get bad results if doing too much

  • Do what you want (with priorities) and results will follow

  • When you have choices (activities, classes)

    • Find your commitment

    • Make realistic goals

    • Everything becomes super competitive

  • Perseverance - everyone has the desire to “waste time”

    • Helps you fight the laziness and work on logical things

  • Hard work - do things that measure towards progress

  • Don’t do things for other people or college apps only

    • Avoid doing things just to look better for others

    • Focus on doing things you like

    • Push for your skills and put the effort

  • Effort can always overcome talent

    • Don’t get put down by other people’s success and/or skills

  • Really easy to burn out in high school

    • Important to maintain a balance

  • Great to get motivation from other people’s successes

    • Focus on learning from others instead of being jealous of others

  • Focus on values = why are you doing this


BREAKOUT SESSION:

1. Recite the shloka

2. Explain meaning in your own words

3. Say at least 3 sanskrit words and their meanings

4. How does this shloka help you


Homework:

  • Follow up on the symbolism of bhagwan (for the shloka you memorized, e.g. Ganesha)

  • Chapter 28 - Shanti (Peacefulness) & 30 - Gentleness

  • 3 times shaanti - why do we say it 3 times (for what 3 reasons)



Parent-Teacher Conference summary:

  • Have been focusing on ideals and values

  • Working a lot on meaning of words (e.g. Dharma vs Religion)

  • Things we have covered:

    • How are we different as humans

    • What is karma and the important aspects

    • How intention plays into our actions

    • Aspects of human behavior and unity and working with others

    • Learn to connect with current affairs in the world today

    • How these ideals and values apply to real and current world

    • Learn how to do seva and charity and help others

    • Weave in stories from puranas and itihaas - esp Ramayan and Mahabharat

  • 6 Internal Enemies

    • Largest focus during fall semester

    • How are they connected, related, and interact with each other

    • How these impact our behaviors and reactions

    • Tying back to ideals and values

  • Two Meditation sessions

    • Helps manage our internal enemies

    • Learn to improve ourselves

  • Topics moving forward

    • Will focus more on how to use certain values and skills to overcome our internal enemies and struggles

    • Consider practical approaches based on the needs of society

    • Work on projects such as:

      • Learning meanings of shlokas and prayers (move away from parrot mode)

      • Habits (increasing good personal habits)

      • Most useful values and how to apply them

  • Going forward, for parents-students:

    • Do weekly conversations at home about topics covered

    • Discuss different perspectives and examples on each topic

    • Avoid the phrase “just because” or “it’s just how it is” or “this is how it has always been”

    • Encourage questions and new points of view

    • Focus on intergenerational conversations beyond school and studies - talk about history, values, examples, experiences

    • Students are encouraged to ask tough questions to parents and any adults

    • Discuss meanings of prayers and why we do things, avoid repetition for sake of tradition only

  • Feedback for teachers:

    • We will try to record some topics and classes going forward for reference

    • We will do more short-virtual quizzes to encourage cognitive thinking

  • Overall:

    • Classes have been going great!

    • Despite some virtual hiccups, everyone is connected and involved

    • Great attendance and interactions

    • All kids are speaking up and we will continue to focus on more feedback and conversation

    • We will be doing more breakout sessions for one-on-one/focused discussions


January 17

Commitment & Perseverance

  • Commitment:

    • Having a drive to do something

    • Giving something, like time

    • Dedicated to do something

      • If you’re saying you’re doing something, then do it

    • Smart and clear goal

    • Actually doing something

    • Staying loyal to something or someone

    • SHOULD make commitment:

      • When its important

      • When you know you can do it

      • Good Peer Pressure: SUPPORT

      • Based on priorities

      • If it helps you

    • Should NOT make commitment:

      • When you’re not sure

      • When you have conflicting or clashing priorities

      • If it's not a priority

      • Watch something and get influenced (MEDIA!!!!)

      • For something bad or immoral

      • Based on someone else’s convincing (PEER PRESSURE)

      • Revenge (reaction) based actions

      • WHEN YOU ARE EMOTIONALLY HIGH

        • Risk of bigger drop-change

        • Overachieve, risk of confusion

        • Avoid words: never, always

        • Avoid thinking practically

    • Overachieving: doing extra, more than what’s needed, sometimes what’s needed or not needed, going beyond the basic limit

      • Without limits: imbalance personal life, ego/pride crash at some point, will hurt more if/when you don’t get first, will be stuck in the cycle, you don’t get to enjoy the moment, may get confused about what to do next, risk of not reaching goal, can’t decide which one to good at, not committed to one thing, BURNOUT-CRASH

      • Sub internal enemy under: DESIRE

  • Perseverance:

    • Will continue next week

  • Compare:

    • Commitment: Think about achieving goal

    • Perseverance: Push to actually achieve goal


Homework:



January 10

We had meditation session in this weekend.



December

December 20

Straightforwardness & Simplicity

  • Not changing or twisting the truth

  • Specially with behavior towards someone

  • Speaking in a easy/simple way - limit the details

  • Be basic, especially if you’re a second source

  • Control your imagination

  • Knowing and understanding different perspectives

  • Practice simplicity (actions) vs being a simpleton (not connecting)

  • Limitation:

    • Not too simple

    • Take advantage

    • Too many questions

    • Can cause frustrations

    • Change people’s expectations

    • Easy to be pushed - cause stress

    • Accidentally reveal too much

    • Being careful - how people see you (first impression and/or current relationships)

    • Don’t want to come off as rude - important to be tactful

    • Careful with bitter truths

  • Its important to be simple, straightforward, basic, without being naive.

    • Be AWARE of what’s happening around you

    • Limit your REACTIONS

Forgiveness

  • Letting things go

  • Forgetting what they did wrong as long as they understand their mistake

    • Use intellect - not every situation needs to be forgotten

    • Think about intent and WHY someone is doing what they’re doing

  • Giving someone second/many chance, if they are willing to make up for mistake - Krishna

    • Depends on person/situation - are they listening or just repeating

    • How do they act after you ask them - what’s the reason

    • Can they be trusted? Why are they doing this action? (internal enemies?)

    • Level of mistake and feeling afterwards

    • How they acted in the past

    • Is it impacting one individual or community as a whole

  • Releasing your anger when something goes wrong or someone “disappoints you” - Ram

    • They didn’t know better - made a mistake

    • REALIZE their mistake

    • YOU can make the best of the situation

  • Saying “its ok, don’t do it again”

  • Limiting anger

  • Forgiveness is overcoming the internal enemy of desire. Helps avoid the cycle of internal enemies. Overcome the desire for “revenge” and hurt ego.

  • Examples of forgiveness

    • Krishna - when he got shot in his foot

    • Ram - forgave Kaikeyi and his father for sending him to exile

    • Krishna - Shishupal and his 100 mistakes


Vibhishana

  • Ravan’s brother - he knew Ram was following Dharma and doing the right thing. Left his life and family to follow the right path. He was saved and protected by Hanuman.

  • VALUES: Unity, Truthfulness, Simplicity, Forgiveness

  • Unity - Continued to advise and help Raavan and bring him to the right path. Tried to bring everyone together.

  • Truthfulness - He knew the realities of both sides, he chose to help the side of Dharma. He was honest with both sides.

  • Simplicity - Lived a simple but straightforward life.

  • Forgiveness - Behaved and taught forgiveness to Raavan. Gave Raavan many chances.


Homework:


December 13

Unity & Mutual Cooperation

  • Unity

    • Together

    • Same topics

    • Being one

    • E.g. same side of war, Pandavas, Ram-Lakshman-Hanuman

  • Cooperation

    • Working together

    • Achieve common goal

    • Helping

    • People agree on

    • Its a value

    • E.g. formations, Krishna-Arjuna, Karna, Bheeshma

  • Loyalty

    • Not breaking someone’s trust

    • Form of service

    • Sticking with someone/something

    • Showing devotion (bhakti)

    • Opposite of betrayal

    • E.g. Lakshman (blinded, focused), Karna (obligation), Hanuman (to a person), Arjun (to actions/thoughts from a person), Bheeshma (to a place/thing)

  • Loyalty in 2020

    • Become/stay loyal to health and science (facts)

      • Wearing/not wearing masks

    • Loyal to leaders

    • Loyal to a candidate (regardless of candidate)

      • Reaction to candidate’s actions

    • Loyal to a party (follow the person)

      • Voting - for party not cause

  • Unity & Cooperation

    • Both are important - be together and work together

    • E.g. treating others with opposite values

    • Put aside differences

    • Still stay driven by positive values (kindness, empathy, seva, etc)

      • “When they go low, we go high” - Michelle Obama

      • “An eye for an eye will make the world blind” - Mahatma Gandhi

    • Cooperating is a SKILL and a value. If you don’t:

      • Won’t have good relationships

      • More likely to stay angry

      • Groups can fall apart

      • Will be isolated


Honesty & Truthfulness

  • Honesty - behavior based on the truths

    • Similar to loyalty - not breaking trust

    • Truthfulness - based on the facts

      • Importance of “emotional intelligence”

  • Importance:

    • To avoid lying and making up things

    • To avoid getting in trouble

    • To avoid the cycle

    • Hard to get others to believe

    • It WILL come back to you

    • You will get caught

    • Maintaining relationships

    • Needed to build loyalty

  • Forms of lying:

    • Deceptive lie

      • Boy who cried wolf

    • Speaking a lie by not speaking the truth

      • Staying quiet instead of speaking up

    • Half truths

      • Exaggerations, skip what you did wrong

      • Yuddhishtir - “Ashwathama -the elephant- is dead”

    • Instances where should speak a lie (intent)

      • Krishna - “Ashwathama -the elephant- is dead”

  • Forms of truth:

    • Difference between bitter truth and evil-intended truth

      • Intent should be good

      • Share responsibility

    • Truths with sensitivity

    • Complete truth


Homework:

  • Chapter 37 (Straightforwardness & Simplicity) and Chapter 38 (Forgiveness)

  • Question for parents: Importance of and example of one of these

    • Difference between bitter truth and evil-intended truth

    • Truths with sensitivity

    • Complete truth

  • Think and read about Vibhishana (combine the topics in conversation: Unity, Cooperation, Loyalty, Straightforwardness, Forgiveness)



December 6

Compassion

  • Showing affection

  • Caring

  • Thinking of others

  • Sympathy

  • Helping other people

  • KARUNA - caring action

  • Care for animals - they can’t do much by themselves

  • Caring for all creatures (humans, plants, animals)

    • It’s the right thing to do

    • They are also doing things for the world around them

    • Without plants, we cannot live well

    • LIVING beings - all have their role in the world

    • SOUL - ATMA

  • Hindu dharma stance on the following key topics are all based on compassion:

    • Vegetarianism

    • Environment

  • Difference between empathy and compassion

    • Empathy = understanding - comfort them

      • Careful about crossing a line

      • Don’t let others impact your life

      • Only help those who need it

    • Compassion = caring - understand and do something for other

      • Helping anyone

      • Acting upon caring and love

    • Ex: Karna (Mahabharata) - he would give whatever someone wanted & helps Duryodhana even though he knows its wrong

Charity:

  • Giving something to others

  • Giving something that you may be attached to

  • Giving something proportionally

  • Not wanting anything in return

  • Give to do the right thing and help

  • Have: happiness, wanting to help, devotion, motivation, compassion, empathy, understanding, care, love

  • Do not have: need for recognition, need for return, sympathy, pity, ego (pride)

  • PRO: Can do anonymously - do it without recognition or sharing name - almost easier to do

  • CON: Can be dispassionate, separate your emotions if just giving money. People with more money are less likely to donate.

  • Consider it as: Material seva and do it with compassion

Seva:

  • Volunteering

  • Giving our time

  • HELPING

  • Having a feeling driving your actions

  • Doing something for others

  • Don’t need money or things to do seva

  • Give back to community

  • PRO: We have to connect with people or situation to truly help others, leads with compassion and empathy

  • CON: Harder to do this anonymously - important because it can turn to ego

  • Someone you know:

    • When someone is struggling, helping out in whatever way they need

    • Help parents, share workload

  • ALL Living beings you don’t know:

    • After disasters: - help clean up

    • Help if someone is struggling (one off instances)

    • Make cards for others

    • Help whoever you can

  • Charity vs Seva:

    • Seva can help people more

    • Charity is only focused on materialistic things

    • Both important - can give things that are very needed and help where needed


Homework:

  • Read Chapter 35 - Unity & Mutual Cooperation & Chapter 36 - Truthfulness and Honesty

  • Do "material seva" this month (donations for needs) with family



November

November 22

EGO/PRIDE

  • Self esteem and self importance

  • Feeling high about yourself

  • Better than others

  • Others are worse

  • Telling others you’re better

  • Time is more precious than others


  • Leads to ego:

    • Certain experiences

    • Jealousy

    • If you make more/less money

    • Competition

    • Lack of conflict

    • Popularity

    • Doing TOO good

    • Doing things right

    • Can’t face defeat

  • Unintended result:

    • Doing something good - and boasting

    • Being the best

    • “You probably don’t know this”

    • Being too good - other people increase your self worth

      • Worth : based on your results

    • Compliments

      • Actions and behaviors can change

      • Focused on what others think

      • Others can feel isolated

      • Compliments are like a snowball

      • Others reacting badly (based on their jealousy)

      • Comparing ourselves to the top level only

      • Forget to focus on the act of doing whatever you’re doing

      • Tone matters (kind vs sarcastic)

    • People saying good things to make you feel better

      • You feel good that someone is thinking about you

      • You feel important and amazing

      • Back and forth - wait for thank you

      • How to take the compliment?

        • Need for more (drive/desire)

        • Let it get to your head (ego)

      • Avoid turning that into a mental competition

      • Focus on is the work being done

      • VALIDATION: recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile

      • WHY: Obligated, they want a compliment in return, genuine, trying to increase your ego

        • Mahabharata - Duryodhan (push him towards selfish actions) vs Bheem (supportive family)

        • Mahabharata - Yudhisthir (falls to ego, makes bad decisions)

        • Mahabharata - Arjun (questions his decisions, thinks logically)

    • Say nice things, say compliments - not expect anything in return, do it for the right reasons

  • Empathy

    • What would you do in someone else’s position

    • Kindness

    • Thinking of others - helping them

    • Thinking of how you would react in someone else’s shoes

    • Understanding what they’re going through

    • Empathy vs sympathy

      • Empathy - understanding and sharing

      • Sympathy - reaction

    • Pity (sympathy): embarrassment, anger, ego, distant, invisible - negative actions

    • Connection (empathy): feel understood, easier to talk to, more comfortable and open, relieved - positive growth

      • Levels of engagement matters - increase interactions

      • Care about trying to help

      • Care about making someone feel better

      • Avoid obligation and blind reaction (being in “emotional debt” to someone)


HW:

  • Chapter 29 (Compassion) - 33 (Seva) - 34 (Charity)

  • How does compassion lead to seva/charity

  • What’s the difference between seva/charity

  • Discuss with your parents: What’s their favorite form of seva/charity and what they got out of it



QUIZ #1

Namaste Parents,

QUIZ SUBMISSION: https://forms.gle/tpux1X1imRrjtnE4A

This online submission will be our first quiz for this year - DUE BY EOD NOVEMBER 21st. This quiz will have two sections: open ended and multiple choice.

Instructions for students:

  • This is not an open book quiz. We cannot monitor that, but we recommend that you do the preparation first, and then sit down to submit your answers. The quiz will be 50 points total.

  • For open ended: you can read/review the questions first (click on link), do research and preparation, then come back and submit. Points will be awarded based on how thoughtful the answer is. (Did you use examples? Did you cover topics from class? Did you use your knowledge from other classes and experiences?) - 38 points total

  • For multiple choice: you will continue to that section once you have completed open ended responses. You will not see these questions in advance, you can study for this section by reviewing class notes and chapters we have covered so far. Class page to review notes: https://sites.google.com/site/hatshsmn/classes-dharma/dharma-7 - 12 points total

  • For extra credit bonus: Answer bonus questions for extra credit. Each correct answer is 0.5 point. This section is optional. - 3 points total

  • There is no time limit.

If you have been keeping up with your homework and paying attention/participating in class - this should be easy! :) GOOD LUCK!

When you submit, you will get an automatic copy of your responses by email. Quiz will be graded and returned to you by December 5th.

USE PARENT'S EMAIL ADDRESS FOR SUBMISSION- Make sure the email address is spelled correctly!! If you enter the wrong email, you will not get a copy of your results and grades will not be sent to you automatically. We will send back grades by December 5th.

Thank you,

Dharma 7 Teachers


November 8

We started class with quiz and presentation of Diwali. We specifically discussed how we can celebrate the real message of Diwali and how to overcome our internal enemies.

Jealousy

  • GREED:

    • We see something better

    • Avoid embarrassment

    • Give into jealousy

    • State of Competition

  • Feeling:

    • Get attached to something

    • End up feeling sad

    • You think someone else (or parents) are better

    • You don’t feel good enough

    • Stomach hurts

    • Put on a fake face

  • Actions:

    • Become mean

    • Force others to do things you want

    • You can yell at your parents

    • Say something you normally wouldn’t say

    • Lose touch of reality

    • Focus on one thing only; often on what you don’t have

    • Lose focus in general

    • Change your own goals based on someone else

      • You don’t end up achieving the goal

      • You won’t work from the bottom of your heart

      • Won’t enjoy

      • Won’t be satisfied, will want something else

  • Get out of it

    • Stop thinking about it

    • Think about what you have that others may not

    • If that person didn’t have it, would i want it

    • Walk away from a situation if possible

    • Talk to someone about

    • Meditation or breathing techniques - mind off of wrong things, focus on breathing

    • Enjoy something around you

    • Think about WHY you want what someone else has

    • Doing something physical (walk, bike) - let it out in a positive way

    • Don’t respond to bragging


EGO/PRIDE

  • Self esteem and self importance

  • Feeling high about yourself

  • Better than others

  • Others are worse

  • Telling others you’re better

  • Time is more precious than others


HW:

  • Will continue discussion on Ego in next class < very important topic

  • Online quiz/submission coming, due by the 21st (will be available by EOD 11/11)

  • Read Chapter 31: Empathy



November 1

Greed

  • Wanting something more and more

  • Desire

  • Once you start, you don’t stop

  • Makes you want something else

  • Keeps repeating

  • Nothing is sufficient enough

  • Don’t share with others

  • Disease that can’t be cured

  • Not satisfied

  • You end up taking in whatever way (often not good)

  • Makes you do wrong things (e.g. steal)

  • Kids:

    • Lying to others - on playground

    • Want what someone else has

    • Keep asking for more

    • Gets all the toys

    • Gets bored when has too much

    • Can take/steal

  • WHY do we have greed?

    • We see something better

    • Avoid embarrassment

    • Give into jealousy

    • State of Competition

      • Academic - studies

      • Who gets the highest scores

      • Who is the most popular

      • Who gets into the best college

      • Getting a good job

      • Who has more money

      • Who has a bigger house

      • Who has a better house

      • Who is the most successful

      • Who has a better role in society

      • Who has the best spouse/partner

      • Whose kids are better

      • Who has the best retirement

    • Comparison

      • 50/50 chance - brings you up or down

      • Hide or brag

      • Can increase jealousy

      • Determination-Driven / Pressure-No Clear Goal

  • Result of greed:

    • Wants become bigger

    • May not be happy

    • Do not know what you have until it's gone

    • End up doing something you don’t like - missing passion

    • Don’t focus on happiness - or not having the best

    • People don’t end up liking you

    • Don’t know how to be satisfied with what you have

  • How to overcome greed

    • Do what is right

    • Do what makes you happy

    • Set your goals realistically - be clear with what the goal is

    • Healthy competition is good - too much is harmful

    • Our material wealth is temporary

    • Know that it's not wrong to want more things - just be careful to not go too far

Delusion

  • Seeing things in a different way

  • Do not think clearly

  • Thinking differently than normal/usual

  • Examples:

    • Thinking your things aren’t good enough

    • Not understanding reality

    • You think someone else (or parents) are not good enough

    • Stuck in comparison

    • “It’s not fair”

  • “FAIR”

    • Equality having same things

    • Getting same opportunities

    • Getting treated the same

  • “It’s not fair”

    • Think about what you got (especially if you want it)

    • It’s not about having the SAME things

    • Focus on YOUR situation

    • Perspective - think about the big picture

    • Focus on what you DO have

  • You do not have a right to complain about something, until you work hard to change the situation.


HW:

  • Chapter 17 (Pride) & Chapter 18 (Jealousy)

  • Discuss with your parents - Anger & Greed


October

October 25

Meditation -

  • When you take a break - it helps relax

  • Connects you to your soul

  • Stop using your 5 senses

    • E.g. try not to hear

  • Connects you to God

  • Calms your mind

  • Slows your thoughts

  • Clears your mind

  • Easiest:

    • Resting

    • Set your own time

    • Doesn’t require special training

    • Results in relaxing and calm mind

    • Positive benefits

    • Anyone can do it

    • Deep breathing

      • Clear your lungs - toxins

      • Lowers your heart rate

      • O2 - CO2 balance

  • Hardest:

    • Focusing your mind

    • Finding the light

    • Trying not to move a lot - staying still

    • Long period of time

    • Keeping eyes closed

    • Not thinking about everything else

    • Results in: Procrastination - piling up, pushing out, not doing on time


Anger

  • Feeling or emotion

  • Can take over your body and min

  • Impacts your thinking (cognitive) - make wrong decisions

  • Affects your breathing

  • Forms:

    • Angry

    • Frustration

    • Irritation

    • Pain

    • Annoyance

  • Examples:

    • Siblings - parents - immediate family

    • Something someone says

    • School - work

    • Something isn’t fair

    • Bullies

    • Society

    • Health

    • Media - politics

    • Inaction in others

  • What do you do - reaction

    • You don’t think straight

    • You make bad decisions

    • Attitude changes

    • Take it out on others

    • Revenge

    • Scream

    • Stomp and make a scene

    • Argue

    • Temper tantrums

    • Venting - ranting - going on and on

  • How do we get OUT of it - fix the situation

    • Remove yourself from situation

    • Distract yourself with something you like

    • Ignore it

    • Meditate

    • Exercise it out - physical exertion

    • Think about other things

    • Reading something you like

    • Eat - be aware - healthy one (not by our emotions)

    • Music - adjust it to your mood

    • Go somewhere that makes you happy

    • Think of upcoming exciting things

    • Take a nap - rest

    • Cathartic (in a safe way): crying, scream, tear things up, punch it out, stomp, jump

    • Stop your actions before they become permanent

  • Next steps

    • Talk things out

    • Introspect

    • Apologize

    • Face the person or situation

    • Resolve the issue

    • Discuss issue with others

    • Learn more - educate yourself about the situation

    • TURN IT INTO ACTION:

    • Understand WHY you are angry - will prevent in the future

  • As the most dangerous internal enemy


HW:

  • Chapter 15 (Greed) & Chapter 16 (Delusion)

  • Talk to your parents - what’s the number 1 thing that gets (them & you) angry - and how they deal



October 18

We had meditation session in this weekend.


October 11

  • Adults should not stop learning -- learning is not just connected to school

  • From where can/could adults learn?

    • Continue asking questions

    • Reading, listening, thinking


Chapter 12 - Internal Enemies

  • Things that stop you from becoming a better person

  • Bad habits that affect us - things that we do without thinking

  • Enemy: something you’re going against or is going against you, something that is bad for you, opponent

  • Internal: inside from you, from our mind, thought or energy, you against you

  • External enemies: bully at school (physical, cyber), animals, homework, viruses, violence, racism, media

  • Examples:

    • Desire (Kāma), anger (Krodha), greed (Lobha), delusion (Moha), ego (Mada), jealousy (Mātsarya)

  • Is it dependent on you or what someone else does to you?

    • Can be based on what someone else does - Your action can fuel the fire

    • Can be both, your desire can start the action

    • Can be mad at yourself or someone else

  • There will always be external stimuli (something that results in reaction)

    • 1) can react and start a circle of reaction

    • 2) consider why this happened and think about perspective

  • Only you are responsible for acting or not acting on your internal enemies

    • Karma - our actions and the intent behind them

    • Avoid: getting worked up, being too in your head, letting internal enemies loose


Chapter 13 - Desire (Kaam)

  • Something you really want

  • Starts the stepladder of downfall

  • Eight Forms of Desire

    • 5 organs of perception

      • Form - way things look

      • Touch - how things feel

      • Smell - how things smell

      • Taste (rasa) - how it tastes

      • Words - how things sound

    • 2 related to mind

      • Glory - feeling good about self

      • Exaggerated self-respect (maana) - visible respect

    • 1 related to body

      • Laziness - physically not doing something

  • Want = extra, don’t require for living / Need = required to stay alive

    • How do needs adapt to societal needs

    • We are surrounded by certain expectations

    • How is it impacting your experience - is it helping

    • WHY do you want the phone!! < intent

    • Avoid EXTRAs that are not needed

  • Desire - starts the chain reaction

    • Triggers all your actions and internal enemies

    • Vicious cycle - circle of actions, going round and round - can have a large impact


Homework:

Chapter 14- Anger - have some thoughts and questions ready when dealing with meditation and anger



October 4

  • If everything changes about us physically, are we still the same person?

  • Is the mind and brain the same?

    • The soul will stay the same

    • Essense of an individual

    • Doesn’t matter what happens to the body


  • Chariot - diagram - horses

    • Royal

    • Mahabharata war

    • Arjun & Krishna

  • Each of the following is important: senses, mind, intellect, atma, and body

  • Senses move fast. E.g. a loud sound will get your attention; smell of good food

    • Is it easy to sit still? Imagine an itch when you are trying to meditate

  • Using your mind over senses

    • Try to ignore distractions; e.g. loud noise

  • Atma (soul)

  • Difference between atma and body

    • Atma transcends lives (lived forms) -- it is the life force (energy)

    • Body is just a container -- will decompose

  • Intellect: thoughts, wisdom, instincts, intelligence

    • We think about intellect as binary: either present or not

    • The basis of your decisions and actions

  • Intellect controls the mind and mind, in turn, controls the senses

    • This directs the body and atma

  • How to reach goal:

    • Have a fit and healthy body (food & exercising)

    • Practice good spiritual values

    • Strengthen mind and discipline

    • Control your senses

      • Temptations: yummy food, video games, watching TV, etc.

    • Repetition - do things every day


Karma (कर्म)

  • Actions and consequences (good and bad)

    • Consequences might not be immediate

    • Short-term and long-term consequences

  • Whatever you do comes back to you

  • How actions affect yourself and others

  • Similarities with Newton’s Laws of motion

    • https://image.isu.pub/170823223915-3c8566782012103ba5561783d05ff66d/jpg/page_1.jpg

  • Reasons for doing the “right thing”

    • Intent of actions: do you expect anything in return?

  • Do the “right things” for the “right reasons”: niṣkāmakarma (selfless or desireless action)

    • Karma with expectations will create distractions and take you away from the path of good actions in future


HW:

  • Karma - once a day think about your intent for any actions

  • Chapter 12 - Internal Enemies

  • Chapter 13 - Desire



September

September 27

  • Meaning of: Dharma (NOT mean religion)

    • A path

    • Doing the right thing

    • Good vs bad

    • Set of rules

    • Duty

    • Everything listed under “God”

    • What is good

    • Good values

    • GOOD: what is right/correct: listening to instinct or inner voice: avoiding bad consequences:

      • Like whats going on - justice

    • Religion:

      • Culture, way of life, faith or practice, what you believe in, way to live

    • Dharma vs religion:

      • Dharma - anyone can do the right thing

      • Religion - something you pray to

    • There are many answers to questions in Hinduism

      • Ex. When asked what texts we use to learn the rules of being good, students answered the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Ramayan, Upanishads, and Puranas

      • Ex. When asked who we look up to in the Mahabharata, answers included Krishna, Arjuna, Yudishtar, Bheema, etc.

    • Following Dharma is acting based on what is needed in the situation.

      • How you are approaching situation

      • Thinking about what is right vs wrong


  • Meaning of: Ideals vs Values

  • Ideals:

    • To strive to something

    • Things we look up to and follow

    • What do i do

    • A goal

    • Right thing to do

    • Examples of what you should live by

    • Standards, could be good, for future, external, could be un-achievable, Expectations for something

    • Examples: idealistic things use the values to become idealistic. For example, Arjun was idealistic because he fought in the Mahabarat War

  • Values:

    • Things we respect

    • Importance of something

    • Characteristic (good)

    • About yourself

    • What you don’t give up, when you’re trying to achieve a goal

    • Practices, known as “good,” for “now,” beliefs, positive triggers

    • Examples: helping others when they need it, honesty, respect, kindness, Arjun’s values that helped be idealistic were dedication, righteousness, determination, etc.


  • Chapter 1: Human Being

    • Humans vs animals - thinking of actions and consequences

    • Animals focused on survival, humans on daily actions

    • Think of the bigger picture

      • Unintended consequences: could not predict, did not want, didn’t know, forgot about

      • Avoid repeating, be prepared

      • Act on values

    • Don’t waste life on objects

      • Also focus on what you’re learning

      • More important things - focus on the right path

      • Connect with nature and others

      • Meditate

      • What is around you

      • Praying to Bhagwan

      • Thinking and remembering memories and situations

    • Humans can think of others as equal - avoid harming others

      • Can go beyond the food chain

    • Karma

      • What you do comes back to you

      • Opportunity to be kinder and not be a burden

    • Purpose

      • User our life and time to help others

      • Don’t just waste on “enjoyment only”

      • Focus actions on bigger picture

      • Focus our path on good and God

    • Shaastras - sacred texts to teach us how to be

      • Follow the good deeds and examples

      • Avoid the bad deeds

      • Learn actions

      • Set of ideals and values - we should adjust to our times


HW:

  • Meaning of Karma

    • Look up AND ask your parents

    • How does intent tie in to karma?

  • Read Chapter 2 - Science of the Mind and Sense Organs



September 20

WELCOME to Dharma 7: Hindu Ideals and Values

General Information:

  • Is an interactive class.

  • Student Participation is very important.

  • Please try to participate at least one time each week.

  • The lessons we learn apply to everyday life.

  • This year is a transition year from stories to the application of these stories in day-to-day scenarios.

  • Please refrain from eating/snacking a lot during class.

  • Please finish your homework.

  • Be accountable, responsible, and have fun!

  • Parents, please discuss the topics covered in class at home with the students!

  • Please try to keep your camera on throughout the class

  • Please keep your microphone muted unless participating/sharing something to the class

  • Please be on time!

Contacts:

Feel free to contact the student volunteers and/or the teachers if you have any questions.


Covered in Class:

Hindu:

  • Religion

    • Belief in God

    • Not everyone believes in religion

    • Faith

    • Lifestyle

  • Practice

    • Praying

    • Fasting

    • Pooja

    • Learning lessons

    • Stories

    • Meditating

    • Discipline

  • Going to temple

    • Pray to God

    • Classes

    • Stories

    • To learn

    • Celebrations

    • Safety

    • Wealth

    • Peace

  • Culture

    • Clothes

    • Food

    • Festivals

    • Pooja

    • Rituals

    • Light

    • Events

    • Beliefs

    • Colors

  • God

      • Values: Characteristics, descriptions, qualities, actions

    • Upper being

    • Almighty

    • Strength

    • Wisdom

    • Superior

    • Helping

    • Knowledge

    • Kindness

    • Giving

    • Caring

    • Protective

    • Creator

    • Trusting

    • Leadership

    • Preserving

    • Destroying

  • Stories

      • Can learn from what they did, do not repeat mistakes

      • Symbolic: representing a thought, idea, concept, action

    • Morals

    • Mahabharata

    • Ramayana

    • Puranas

    • Upanishads

    • Lessons

    • Thoughts

    • Wisdom

    • Way to live


Ideals and Values

  • Correct things

  • Ideas

  • Things to learn

  • Good characteristics

  • Justice

  • Respect

  • Loyalty

  • Safety

  • Things we can be

  • Honesty


HW:

  • Meaning of: Dharma (NOT religion)

  • Meaning of: Ideals vs Values

  • Read Chapter 1: Human Being