The Chinmaya Bala Vihar program developed by Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda provides religious instruction andpersonality development for children and youth. Multiple classes are offered according to children’s age. The classes start with an invocation prayer and end with a shanthipath.
Venue of Bala Vihar classes
West Springfield High School provides a school like environment for teaching, with large classrooms, a hall for Geeta Study classes, general assembly and cultural programs. It is centrally situated, providing easy access for our members who come from all over Northern Virginia.
Address West Springfield High School 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA 22152
Directions - From 495 (Beltway), take Braddock Road West, turn left on Burke Lake Road, turn left on Rolling Road, School is on your right.
Classes Details and Timings
From the youngest Madhuram class to the senior Chinmayam class all our children participate in a variety of activities.The grade in which the child is enrolled in the Public School in the consideration for admission to Bala Vihar
Madhuram (Pre-K)
Drawing, colouring, crafts, and games are part of the medium for learning for these young children. They also learn Shlokas and sing Bhajans.
Satyam (K-1st)
Chinmaya ABCs: Children are introduced to the positive values in life through the English Alphabet as a tool. For example: A for Ambition, B for Brotherhood etc. Each value is taught through a story or song.
Bala Ramayana: Through this epic story of Ramayana written especially for children, they learn to appreciate courage, enthusiasm, and wisdom.
Shivam (2-3rd)
Bala Bhagavatam: Stories from Bhagavatam are taught to children to reinforce Hindu values and philosophy.
Nine Type of Bhakti: Students learn the deep rooted significance behind the various shapes and forms of Hindu gods and rituals.
Hanumanji: The book illustrates Hanumanji's qualities such as devotion to duty, Buddhi, strength, Yasha(fame), courage, fearlessness, alertness and eloquence.
Sundaram (4-5th)
Characters in Ramayana: Written in simple English, the book makes an interesting reading for children of this age group. Instead of narrating the Ramayana story in a chronological sequence, the book analyses each character in the epic-story, followed by a discussion on the lessons we can learn from these characters, which challenges the analytical thinking of the young minds.
Saints of India: Many chosen ones came and lived among others, to show the way to God. They lived their life with the spirit that was hidden behind the words of all sacred scriptures of the world. They were able to give up everything for the discovery of God in their own heart. In these pages, necessary details of their lives, and the paths they chose to attain Saintliness is depicted, inspiring all readers. Their paths were many but the goal was the same.
Shivanandam (6-7th)
Vibheeshana Geeta: This text is based on discourses of Lord Rama to Vibheeshana in Ramayana. In Vibheeshana Geeta, Sri Rama outlines the necessary tools for human beings to complete the voyage of life safely and to attain spiritual progress and mental purification. The entire Vibheeshana Geeta emphasizes the importance of faith, values and devotion. Youth will be able to appreciate and understand that there are bound to be ups and downs in life, but devotion can help take one through it easily.
Symbolism in Hinduism: Hinduism is often labeled as a religion of 330 million gods. This misunderstanding arises when people fail to grasp the symbolism of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus worship the nameless and formless Supreme Reality by various names and forms. These different aspects of one reality are symbolized by the many gods and goddesses of Hinduism. Each is but a symbol that points to something beyond, and as none exhausts God's actual nature, the entire array is needed to complete the picture of God's aspects and manifestations. Symbolism plays a greater role in the religion and art of India, than in those of other nations.
Tapovanam (8-9th)
Hindu Culture - An Introduction: This is a comprehensive and complete analysis of the Hindu culture and its salient feature, its varied facets and its all-encompassing fullness. Skillful definitions, gifted quotes and striking illustrations carry the reader on a pilgrimage of the holy land that India is and the holy culture that it has. This book will help the Indian Youth to learn and appreciate Indian culture and our heritage.
Mahabharata Selections: Sage Vyasa understood the mysteries of the universe and its past, present and future and he wanted to convey it in a story form which is the Mahabharat. He conceived the great epic which is not only a fascinating story but also conveys the essence of Vedanta, science of warfare, social/culture systems etc. Mahabharatha Selections points out the virtues, frailties and challenges faced by it's characters. It helps readers contemplate on the deeper questions and values of life, guiding them to choose the higher way of thinking and living.
Ageless Guru: The Inspirational Life of Swami Chinmayananda
Chinmayam (10-12th)
The Holy Geeta: by Swami Chinmayananda ji. Geetha class for adults
The Sunday Mission program is designed to bring spiritual knowledge to the entire family. While the children attend Bala Vihar, at least one parent or guardian is expected to attend the adult Geetha class. Bhagwad Geetha, as translated by Sw. Chinmayananda ji is the text book for this class, taught by an expert in Vedantic studies. The ensuing discussion includes references to Upanishads and other Vedanta texts. The emphasis is on creating a true understanding of our glorious scriptures so as to bring about peace in the individual and happiness in family life.
Optional Classes
These classes are available as a supplement to the Bala Vihar program and are intended for our members only.
Hindi - Our Hindi classes are meant for students of all age groups, and develop the ability to speak, read and write Hindi. We offer beginning, intermediate or advanced Hindi, depending on the students experience level.
Tamil - Our Tamil class is meant for students of all age groups, and develops the ability to speak, read and write Tamil.
Telugu - Our Telugu class is meant for students of all age groups, and develops the ability to speak, read and write Telugu.
WEEKLY SUNDAY CLASS SCHEDULE TIME ACTIVITY
9:00 AM Language Classes - Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Sanskrit. 10:00 AM General Assembly - Aarati, Pledge and Announcements 10:30 AM Bala Vihar, Yuva Kendra, and Adult classes meet in separate rooms. Sunday program ends by 11:30AM, except on special occasions.
The day you take up the policy of giving love instead of demanding it - that day you will have rewritten your entire future destiny.
-Swami Chinmayananda
Chinmaya Mission Pledge
We stand as one family Bound to each other with love and respect.
We serve as an army Courageous and disciplined Ever ready to fight against all low tendencies And false values, within and without us.
We live honestly The noble life of sacrifice and service Producing more than what we consume And giving more than what we take.
We seek the Lord’s grace To keep us on the path of virtue, courage and wisdom. May Thy grace and blessings flow through us To the world around us.
We believe that the service of our country Is the service of the Lord of lords And devotion to the people Is devotion to the Supreme Self.
We know our responsibilities Give us the ability and courage to fulfill them.