CHYK West Newsletter – December 2014

Chinmaya Mission Bentonville will be holding it’s first ever Family Camp this December 20-21st. Swami Sarveshanandaji will be the presiding Acharya and CHYKs will be leading and teaching all the Balavihar sections for the camp!
 

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            From July 29 to Aug 2, 2014: Every morning, the CHYK’s had the privilege of meeting with an Acharya for satsang. We were graced with Swami Prakashananda’s insightful wisdom and guidance on the topic of dharma, Swami Nikhilananda’s gentle and humorous clarifications on Sanatana Dharma, Swamini Akhilanandamma’s beautiful talks on “Guru,” and Swami Sharanananda’s pure love and sweetness in answering our questions on faith and self-improvement. Our afternoons featured Q&A sessions with Acharya Vivekji whose teachings were relatable, and yet poignant; the daily contemplation sessions again led by Vivekji became the most challenging part of my day, aside from waking up at 5:45am for daily exercise.
            As a first-time CHYK, I hadn’t realized that we would be attending Guruji’s lectures on the 18^th chapter of Gita until we walked in to the first lecture. From the very first lecture to the concluding lecture, Guruji’s simple explanations yet powerful examples spoon-fed me the great lessons and the immense wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita in small, easy-to-understand bites. His bhakti brought me to tears, while his puns and jokes brought more tears – of laugher! And when he concluded, it left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, I felt so lucky to have received this knowledge from dear Guruji, but on the other hand, I knew I would miss hearing his voice daily after I returned to my duties.
            After all those unforgettable satsangs, the night of the banquet (Aug. 2^nd) was a joyful celebration, filled with picture-taking and laughter and amazing musical performances by the Minocha brothers and the steel pan players. It truly felt like we were somehow both in the Caribbean and in India, as we ate and chatted away. 
            August 3, 2014: When the morning of the Mahasamadhi Pooja dawned, we rose early, dressed in subdued tones of beige and white, and made our way down to the pooja hall. The pooja itself was conducted with touching grace by Swami Sharanananda, with some children of the Chinmaya Vidyalaya Trinidad chanting the 108 names of Pujya Gurudev with sweet devotion. At the end of the pooja, when we offered our pranams to Pujya Guruji and all the Swamijis, I felt like Gurudev was right behind them, accepting our humble gratitude with his captivating smile.
            As the camp ended, I learned that we’d be staying one extra night and then leaving very early on the morning of August 4^th. Because of how our flight was scheduled, we would be in time for one extra treat the night before we left: we would be able to listen to a Tulsi Ramayan satsang, Trini-style, by Swami Prakashananda. So, once again, we ventured out of the hotel into Trinidad, this time to a devotee’s house to hear the lecture. It was a welcoming home, and the cool mint color of the walls made us forget the heat as we sat outside on plastic chairs. Swami Prakashananda elaborated on “the ladder of fall” (Bhagavad Gita, Ch. 2), about how we get caught up in our desires which lead us to make decisions that take us farther away from the Lord. Also that night, I was again fortunate to listen to Swami Nikhilananda, who spoke on one way to “rise through Satsang” (Bhaja Govindam). Through a beautiful song, he explained to us that one’s eyes should see nothing but Rama, one’s ears should hear naught but Rama; so, in seeing Rama in everything, we would rise above our own worldly desires.
            In celebration of the host’s sixtieth birthday, the family had cooked a meal for all 120 of us who had come for the satsang. We were served lovingly and eating on banana leaves was a marvelous treat. On the bus ride back home, I pondered the spirit of this camp. From the very beginning of the camp, the Trini volunteers had picked up people from the airport at all times, coordinated tours for six buses full of people (not to mention arranging for food during public holidays), ensured that the camp of 500 people ran smoothly, and did it all without the slightest complaint and with huge smiles on their faces. No matter how late at night or how early in the morning, no matter how late requests were given, somehow, they made sure that everyone was more than satisfied. The camp volunteers did not give the slightest thought to their own fatigue or about how little time they had for themselves. The Trini CHYK’s I met for the first time seemed like old friends, like we’d been laughing and joking for years together instead of a few days. Thinking about it now, my heart feels full with gratitude, admiration, and love for all of them.
            Now I am back in Houston, and I look ahead to my first year of college. Although there are times I am apprehensive about leaving the comfort of home and balancing my studies with all the responsibility that comes with living independently, it all fades away when I remember the all the knowledge I gained to keep me on the right track of my own swadharma, and the wonderful people I built long-lasting friendships with.           
            So until my next visit to Trinidad – as the Trini’s say – let’s pick up!” (Translation: Stay in touch!)