Description: Parenting Workshop

In SSE, the teachers who work with the students play an important role. However, the children spend most of their time with their parents and family. The influence that society has on the growing child is paramount to their spiritual growth. However, the child's life is no longer being influenced just by parents or society, or by movies as it was in our childhood. Social media, cell phones, video games etc are taking these children into realms that we did not realize would ever exist when we grew up.

In the first of these type of SSE workshops, we have selected two qualified speakers who have dealt with children of different age groups. Brother Jerry Pesce (Region 7 Vice President) and Sister Aparna Murali (National Young Adult Coordinator) to bring to us a wealth of information.

From this workshop, we expect us to get a clear idea of the challenges the parents as well as children face. The workshop is going to be a highly energized and interactive workshop where we as parents along with these speakers come with our top challenges and discuss ways to influence our children based on Swami's teachings. Space is very limited and hence we are encouraging you to kindly register early. If for any reason you registered and cannot make it, please let us know

Description: SSE Devotional Singing Workshop

Devotional Singing (bhajan)

Swami has often stressed the importance of bhajans as a prime component of devotion. He says that when all the participants in a bhajan hall sing in unison, sacred vibrations are produced and divine energies are spread. Furthermore, in Baba's words, "those who sing bhajans get what can be called a 'double promotion' for they derive joy and distribute joy".

In the past we have conducted bhajan workshops for adults. On September 8, we will be conducting a Devotional Singing Workshop exclusively for children; the workshop will be at their pace and at their level. Children will be divided into groups according to age. Each teacher will teach each group; so children will get to experience each teacher's unique style. Coaches will teach English bhajans along with Indian language bhajans on different deities such as Ganesh, Guru, Devi, Rama, Krishna and Siva. We will also teach Sarva Dharma and value-based songs. We will discuss the meaning of the bhajans, as we know that true devotional singing originates in the heart, not from the lips or the tongue.

Art/Yoga

We will offer the children art projects to stimulate their imagination and self-confidence. Time permitting, we will engage children in yoga or stretching exercises, emphasizing the importance of caring for the body temple.