Sunshine and Moonlight
Just a day before a historic complete solar eclispe was due to cast it’s spell binding shadow on a narrow path of America on August 21st, 2017, Swami Advaitanandaji of CMSJ used the imagery of the solar system to describe the purpose of BalaVihar: to help a child shine brilliantly like the sun in his own life, and to delight others like the moon!
Swamiji addressed over 150 teachers on the morning of August 20th at the Sandeepany ashram; and what a blessing that was! He commenced his address with a wonderful and appropriate bhajan invoking the grace of the Adi Guru Lord Shankara Himself.
Although Swamiji asked us to raise our right hands and pat our own backs for the seva that we were offering as Bala Vihar teachers, much to the surprise of all present, it was actually a totally energized and motivated crew of teachers who left the ashram that day after his inspiring address. Swamiji described Pujya Gurudev’s compassionate vision in creating the Mission and especially Balavihar, which when followed with the right attitude in action will result in transformation.
Bala Vihar’s motto, “Keep smiling” is in keeping with the Mission’s motto of providing the maximum happiness to the maximum number of individuals for the maximum amount of time, because smiling is a manifestation of happiness.
Swamiji glorified teaching as a holy profession and being a Bala Vihar teacher is even higher because all our teachers are volunteers who offer their time and service without any expectation in return. Describing the different types of teachers, Swamiji mentioned that the greatest teacher is one who goes beyond telling, explaining, and demonstrating, to one who inspires the student. We should all aspire to become such teachers, he said.
The measure of our success as teachers is when our students look forward to coming to class every weekend, week after week. And to make this happen we have to create a conducive environment in which every aspect from chanting, to story-telling, to art projects, and games are included in the right measure to create an inviting and interesting classroom that children look forward to.
Since our motives are unselfish, we too can serve cheerfully like Hanumanji, whose only motive was to serve his beloved Lord Rama. With such an inspiring address, and with his benevolent presence, we can’t wait for the Bala Vihar session to commence this year!
As I looked through my special glasses to witness the awesome solar eclipse the next day, it was Swamiji’s words from the day before that kept ringing in my ears about the brilliant sunshine and the delightful moonlight.
Hari Om!