CHINMAYA MISSION ANN ARBOR

Parents’ Orientation (2017-2018)

Chinmaya Balavihar was started in Ann Arbor 33 years ago with the blessings of

H. H. Swami Chinmayananda. We now conduct Balavihars on Saturdays at Bharatiya Temple Troy, Parkview Elementary School in Novi and on Sundays at Chinmaya Avantika in Ann Arbor andHindu Temple in Canton.There are more than 1000 kids attending the various Balavihars.

The children are between the ages of 3 18. The curriculum is set in such a way that Hinduism is taught in a progressively advance method as the kids grow up. Kids are inspired to learn our culture and rich heritage by well trained and dedicated Sevaks and Sevikas. These people are not only committed to teaching voluntarily, but also attend Vedanta study groups regularly to keep up with their knowledge base.

While the children are in their classes, the parents are exposed to Bhagavad Gita lectures by our Acharya, Sharada Kumar. She has been trained by PujyaGurudev, Swami Chinmayananda himself. She teaches some chanting in the beginning to set the mood and then goes into in depth explanation of Gita verses. People are free to ask any questions during this time.

Bringing up children outside of India is made a little easier when they are exposed to our culture and are taught the right values from the young age. Chinmaya method has been proven to be very effective time after time.

So, WELCOME TO THE CHINMAYA FAMILY!

Some Guidelines For the Parents

  1. The registration form must be completed onlineand payment by check, credit card or cash be made by all the parents attending Ann Arbor, Canton, Novi andTroy Balaviharsduring the period when Balavihar Registration is open. The fee is tax-deductible.
  2. Chinmaya Mission is noted for its punctuality. So please try to be at the Balavihar atleast 5 minutes prior to the beginning of the session.
  3. It is MANDATORY that at least one parent attend the session with the kids. It will benefit you a lot if both the parents can attend. This way, not only do you get exposed to our scriptural teachings, but get to be a part of your children’s spiritual unfoldment.

One of the important underlying factors for this is in case of dire emergency the kid(s) are attended to, as appropriate, without any delay, if a parent is available on hand.

  1. If it is not possible for the parent to be present during Balavihar then he or she should designate some parent to take full responsibility for the kids in case of emergency. If that is not feasible then the kid(s) may be brought to any other Balavihar by the parent.
  2. IMPORTANT: If, due to some emergency, you are not able to attend the Balavihar but plan to send the kids with some other adult, you MUST inform me () because of legal issues.
  3. Please have a separate Balavihar bag/backpack for the kids so that they can carry their books, notebooks, homework, handouts, craft projects, pens/pencils etc.
  4. Please take down the name, phone number and e-mail address of your kids’ teachers. You MUST inform the teachers if your children are not able to attend the Balavihar and give the REASON FOR THEIR ABSENCE. The children will learn the value of being accountable through this.
  5. Once a year we have a cultural show around the theme of Republic Day of India. All children MUST participate in this event.
  6. Please see to it that your children are placing their shoes in a neat fashion.
  7. We will be requesting 3 parents every month to volunteer for the following chores:
  1. To welcome new parents joining the Balavihar. Get them familiarized with the mission’s activities, books they need, and to introduce them to the other parents.
  2. Depending on the Balavihar, to help with the tarpaulins.

(Bringing, spreading, folding, taking them back etc.)

  1. To ensure that the shoes are lined up properly and a good walk-way is maintained.

4. Be responsible for setting up the altar with God’s and Gurudev’s pictures, flowers(silk), arati plate with a tea candle and match box etc.

  1. In the adults’ class, the main text taught is Bhagavad Gita. But, before that we revise chanting of a few shlokams learnt in the past (SoundaryaLahari, Vishnu Sahasranamam, LalitaSahasranamam, KanakadharaStotram, Aditya Hridayam etc.) Books can be bought from the books co-ordinator. If you do not wish to purchase those books, please download the shlokams from the internet. For Bhagavad Gita, you may buy the book or bring any Bhagavad Gita book from home. Please bring the Gita book and the shlokams every week.
  2. Since you have the activities for the whole year, please givepriority to Chinmaya Mission activities. Please make it a habit to come to Avantika for the special programs to show your support. We need help in various areas.

14. Please remember to bring flowers and/or prasadam whenever there is a Puja at your

Balavihar.

Thanks.

With Love and Om,

Sharada

Monthly Activities (Tentative)

September, October 2017

•Sep 9/10: Ganesha Puja, Parent Orientation(Actual Ganesh Chaturthi Aug 25)

•Sep 21 – Sep 30:Navaratri Celebrations at Avantika

•Sep 22 & 23 Fri, Sat– Garba/Raas at Avantika

•Sep 23/24: BalaviharSaraswati Puja in Balavihar

•Sep 29, Friday: Saraswati/Children’s Puja at Avantika

•Sep 30, Saturday: Vijaya Dashami Puja at Avantika

•Oct 15 – Oct 26 Swami Ramakrishnananda’s Lectures at Avantika

•Oct 18: Deepavali Celebrations with Fire crackers etc. with Swami Ramakrishnanandaji!

November

•Nov 23, Thursday: Thanksgiving Celebrations at Avantika

•Nov 25/Nov26: NO BALAVIHAR, Thanksgiving Weekend

•Nov 29 , Wednesday: Bhagavad Gita Jayanti / Swami Tapovana Jayanti at Avantika

December

•Dec 23/24Dec 30/31 : NO BALAVIHAR

January 2018

•Jan 6/7Balavihar Restarts in New Year

February, March, April

•Feb 13,Tuesday: Maha Shivaratri at Avantika

•Mar24/25: Vishnu Sahasranama Puja for Ramanavami. (Ramanavami actual Mar 25, Sunday)

•Mar 31/Apr 1: NO BALAVIHAR Easter Weekend

May, June

•May6, Sunday: Graduation Day

•May 8,Tuesday: PujyaGurudev Jayanti at Avantika

•May 12/13: Mothers’ Day Puja, Gurudev Jayanti in all Balavihars

•May20, Sunday : Annual Day Celebrations at EMU

•May 26/27: NO BALAVIHAR, Memorial Day Weekend

•Jun 2/3: Last Balavihar before summer break

•Since you have the tentative monthly activities, please try to join us in the various celebrations at Avantika and show your support. Please let us know in which area you can help. Thanks.