Ladies’ Retreat 13-14 July 2007 “Love Thy Self” with Br. Gopalji

Continues from last retreat

While saying bye to each other on the 20 Jan 07, after the Ladies’ Retreat 1, each one of us were saying a silent prayer to the Lord asking Him for another Retreat to happen soon! Our prayers were answered very soon! After all, that’s what we had learnt in that Retreat: ‘how to pray’!

Br. Gopalji distributed the fruits of our prayer in the form of the announcement about the Ladies’ Retreat 2 which was planned for 13-14 July 07. There was an overwhelming response to this announcement, which brought in 21 enthusiastic ladies to enrol to this Retreat 2 – “Love Thy Self”.

Retreat 2 - Begins

On Friday 13 July, I was dropped off at Chinmaya Sannidhi at 8pm. Our own Umaji and Maithiliji (from Castle Hill Devi Group) were carrying out the registration formalities.

Exactly at 8.30pm all the 21 registered ladies assembled in the main hall of Chinmaya Sannidhi.

To get to know each other, we had some ice-breaker sessions (with Pushpaji and Br. Gopalji). In one such session all the participants were asked to say their names along with 3 statements about themselves, out of which only 2 statements were true and the others to pick up the false statement of that person!

The next set of ice-breakers, Gopalji made us behave like small kids! All of us picked up a chit from a hat. In it an animal’s name was written! We had to make the sound of that animal with our eyes closed and find the others who were the same animals! We had an exciting time - mooing like a cow, mewing like a cat, barking like a dog and braying like a donkey! We even did some dance, sing, tell a poem being the animal we were. It was great fun. We stayed in our groups for the whole time of the retreat, for all group events. The groups were named: Nandini, Bhairav, Hayagreeva and Narasimha.

By 9.30pm, the Class – Navidha Bhakti, started with prayers (lead by Br. Gopalji) we were looking forward to hearing Gopalji speak like the last ladies retreat. But he announced that Swamiji will be taking class on "Navidha Bhakti". How? Then we understood.

Navidha Bhakti – is a series of talks by our Swami Swaroopanandaji on a very beautiful part of Aranya Kanda – the episode of Shabari, video taped at the international camp in Nepal (which Br. Gopalji had attended in year 2000). It was fantastic on big screen like seeing Swamiji live.

In the first session of this it was a delight to hear Swamiji talk about:
Childhood of Shabari, the tribal girl, who ran away from home, never to get married, when she was told that numerous animals will be killed to celebrate her wedding.

Further we learnt:

• Shabari’s dedicated service to Matanga rishi at the ashram
• Contrasting characters of Shabari & Shoorpanakha
• Shabari’s faith in Matanga rishi’s word
• Arrival of Sri Ramaji and Lakshmanji at Shabari’s ashram
• Shabari feeding Sri Ramaji with tasted berries.
• Virtue of the path of Bhakti yoga over the other 3 great paths (Astanga yoga, Karma yoga and Jnana yoga)

The first session of talks came to an end, which prompted Gopalji to initiate group discussions. We were given the following points to think about during the silent reflection time the next day:

• What do you understand by a person being pure and impure?
• What is Shraddha (faith)? How do I gain faith?
• Can the food be eaten before offering to Lord / Guru?
• What do you understand by “Love Thy Self”?

It was nearly 11 PM. So we concluded the class for the day.

The next day’s programme was tight!

We got up by 3.45am, giving ample time for all 21 ladies to shower and get ready on the dot at 5am! We were all ready by 4.50am for guided Meditation. Br Gopalji took us thru a wonderful session of guided meditation on the form of the lord and taught us basic techniques on relaxing the body.

Upon concluding Meditation by 5.30am, we performed pooja to Sri Rama Parivar. After the pooja, we had tea and it was time for silent reflection on the points given the previous night. We all settled down at our favourite spots (rock, in the back yard of Sannidhi for me) to contemplate on the points. 30 minutes passed very quickly, after which we assembled at the main hall for the continuation of Swamiji’s talks on ‘Navidha Bhakti’.

At 6.30am, the second session of Navidha Bhakti commenced when Swamiji highlighted:

• The different types of Bhakti- that of Shabari & Lakshmanji,
• How love increases, after reaching the truth (destination), where as knowledge merges with the end.
• Knowledge without love is meaningless – love of highest form is devotion.
• The Nine forms devotion (Navidha Bhakti) -Swamiji explained each one of them:

First form of devotion is Satsang (company of Saints and sages - prathama bhagati samtanha kara sanga). The flow of the topic of Satsang kept us spell bound for the next hour and a half, by which time we had another activity waiting for us.

By about 8.00 am we got ready for Gayatri Homa to be performed outdoor. We were all rugged up as it was 8 degrees outside. Br Gopalji explained to us the significance and the purpose of the Gayatri Homa and briefly taught us how to chant it. The sacred fire helped us, not only to warm us up but also in lightening up our inquest of sadhana! All the 21 of us took turns in offering the ajya.

Upon the conclusion Gayatri Homa, we were delighted at the sight and smell of hot Pongal, which was prepared by Shubaji. After enjoying the delicious breakfast, we assembled in the main hall for group discussions.

In our groups - Nandini, Bhairav, Hayagreeva and Narasimha - we discussed the 4 questions given to us by Br Gopalji the previous night. All of us had thought about them during the time of our silent reflection, early in the morning. We only had to bring all of our thoughts together and one of us was to present it to the whole class. It was a very interesting session to come to know the perspectives of all the 4 groups. Br Gopalji concluded the session by explaining the answers to the questions. It was amazing how this type of exercise really makes us listen and understand better as we had already had a chance to listen and speak what we thought. It clears our thoughts.

Very soon, it was time for the third session of Swamiji’s talk on Navidha bhakti on the video. In this session, Swamiji went on to explain the rest of the nine forms of devotion.

1. The first form of devotion being Satsang.
2. Next is enjoying listening to the story of the Lord – (doosari rati mama kathaa prasamgaa).
3. Third form is to serve the feet of the Guru – (guru pada pamkaja seva | tisari bhagati amaana).
4. Fourth form is to sing the glory of the Lord loudly, with open heart– (chauti bhagati mama guna gana | karai kapata taki gaana).
5. Fifth form is constant repetition of the mantras from Scriptures – (mantra japa mama driha bisvasa | panchama bhajana so beda prakaasa)
6. Sixth form is mastery over the mind – control of senses –(chata dama seela birati bahu karama | nirata nirantara sajjan dharama).

By now it was almost 1.15 PM and it was suggested that we break here for Lunch. We had a feast arranged by Satyaji, and it consisted of Puliyotharai, Rice, Rasam, Sambar, vegetable curry and pakoda. We also had Kheer specially prepared by Ushaji.

After the sumptuous lunch, we returned to the main hall when it was again time for some more group discussions. This time Br Gopalji gave us the following topics to discuss in our groups and write about:

• How do I know when I am spiritually progressing & my devotion is increasing.
• It was very interesting to hear from all the groups about their views.

The next exercise for all individuals was to write:

• All the things that I want to gain and achieve in my life.
• What I’d like being said in my eulogy and from whom.

These two were very personal to each of us. Only 3 people agreed and shared their written messages. The purpose why Gopalji set up this exercise for us to do is for us to come to terms with what we want to hear and what we are really doing currently in life. Is it the same or different? If different then we have a chance now to change ourselves to be what we want to hear. This was a very powerful exercise and we became aware of the differences. Again Br Gopalji explained the answers in a simple and to the point manner so that we can understand.

After a quick cup of tea, we all gathered back in the main hall for the last session of Swamiji’s talk on Navidha Bhakti.

Continuing from the 6th form of devotion, which was mastery over the mind.

7. Seventh form is to see the entire world as the Lord but the Saints and sages to be considered greater than the Lord Himself (satava sama mohi maya jaga dekha | mote santa adhika kari lekha).
8. Eighth form is being contented and not detecting faults with anyone even in dream (aathava jatha labha santosa | sapanehu nahi dekhai para dosa).
9. Ninth form is that a devotee is gentle and straight in one’s dealings with everybody and cherishes implicit faith in the Lord (navama sarala saba sana chalaheena | mama bharosa hiya harasa na deena).

The talks concluded when Swamiji said that “whoever possesses any one of these nine forms of Devotion, be he a man or a woman or any other creature, is most dear to the Lord” and finally it was revealed to us that Shabari was so blessed that she was the embodiment of all these nine forms of devotion. By describing the nine forms of devotion, Sri Rama ji was actually praising Shabari herself. So great was Shabari’s devotion!

With the conclusion of the talk on Navidha Bhakti, our retreat also came to a close. We performed aarati to Sri Ram Parivaar and Gurudev. With a heart filled with devotion, we bowed down to Sri Ram Parivaar, Gurudev and Br Gopalji. We received from Gopalji prasaad, a book ‘Understanding Emotions’.

I am joined by all the 20 other ladies who participated in this retreat, to thank Br Gopalji for a wonderful experience of Navidha Bhakti, which showed us how to “Love Thy Self”.

We during the retreat itself started planning for the next one. Br Gopalji has promised to do the next one as well soon (possibly in October). This retreat he said he will speak the most. We are looking forward to it.

Hari Om!