PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Blessed Self, Hari Om

With God's grace we enter the New Year 2009.  What is new is every present moment. Rest is all past or future. Let us resolve to be in the present moment, focused with a total attitude of surrender to the all mighty Lord.

Let us resolve to make our minds purer each moment - full of joy, peace and love.

Let us bask in the warmth of the shining grace of Lord Shiva, offering each action as a flower at His feet.

"Sarve Bhavanthu Sukhinah

Sarve Santhu Niraamayaah

Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu

Maa Kaschith Dukha Bhagbhaveth"

In "His" Service

Every year, the students and teachers of Chinmaya Mission Orlando Balavihar put together a program to celebrate Diwali. With a lot of apprehension about the weather, this year, a decision was made to hold the program outdoors on our newly constructed deck. Early morning clouds threatened to dampen our spirits but Surya devata smiled and we were blessed with excellent weather all day! 

 The hard work of all the students, teachers and parents was evident in all the performances. From the opening Ganesh Pooja to the dha-dhin-dhin-dha and sa-re-ga-ma of Pandit Muley's students, the audience was treated to several wonderful performances. 

The deck was decorated beautifully to give everyone a feel of Diwali. The first glimpse of the decorated stage set the right mood for the evening. It was easy to tell that the volunteers had worked tirelessly for many hours, preparing to make the evening a success. The program was coordinated beautifully and in true Chinmaya Mission style, the program started on time and stayed on schedule. Each performance was stunning and the beaming smiles of the performances blended with the vibrant colors of the performers' costumes, producing an evening that was enjoyed by all. 

The evening was capped by a delicious meal prepared and served by the volunteers of Chinmaya Mission. Dozens of volunteers, who helped prepare the food, clearly outdid themselves and without exception, every one raved about the taste! The tiki torches, photographs from past and present events projected in our make-shift  "open-air theatre" , and the aroma of delicious food set the perfect ambience for a great evening under the stars. 

If you missed the event or if you just want to re-live the moments of this year's Diwali celebration, you are invited to view the pictures on our website. 

The parable of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa - Opressing Stench of Worldliness                                                                                         

Why do we light a lamp before the altar of a deity?

In every Hindu home a lamp or ‘diya’ is lit daily before a Hindu deity or any symbol associated with Hinduism. Many Hindus also perform an ‘aarati’ with the traditional oil lamp. The lamp is lit in the morning or evening or both morning and evening. In some houses the lamp is maintained continuously and is known Akhand Deep or Akhanda Diya.

The light in the lamp symbolizes knowledge. It removes darkness, which symbolizes ignorance. Thus light symbolizes Brahman.

The wick in the traditional oil lamp symbolizes ego and the oil or ghee used symbolizes our negative tendencies. When we are lit by self knowledge, the negative tendencies (oil) melt away and finally the ego (wick) perishes. When the ego perishes, we realize that we are all part of Brahman and that life is continuity.

The lighting of ‘diya’ or lamp at home is considered highly auspicious as it brings prosperity and good health. The daily evening lamp lit at home also gives us an opportunity to ponder over one’s omissions and commissions in a day.

Recipe for Crunchy cup cakes by Ms. Shalini Gentle

Makes about 50 small cupcakes. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups oats
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• ½ cup crushed almonds
• ½  cup crushed walnuts
• ½ cup grated sweet coconut
• 2 sticks of butter or margarine
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon soda bicarbonate
• ¾ cup brown sugar

Directions:

Using a hand blender, mix the butter and brown sugar.Using a wooden spoon, mix in the rest of the dry ingredients. Slowly stir in the maple syrup. Pour the mixture into non-stick muffin cups and bake on 300° F for 30 minutes or until brown. 

1) What can you serve, but never eat?

2) A boy fell off a 100 foot ladder. But he did not get hurt. Why not?

3) What do you call a man who doesn't have all his fingers on one hand?

4) You are participating in a race. You overtake the second person. What position do you finish?

5) What word becomes a palindrome when viewed upside down and backwards?

6) What word, when written in capital letters,is the same forwards, backwards and upside down?

 Scroll down for answers

Answers for the brain teasers

1) A tennis ball

2) He fell off the bottom step

3) Normal - You have fingers on both hands!

4) Second. You arrive second if you overtake second person

5) SWIMS

6) NOON