...It was time for the CHYK Mini camp "Dynamic Living" to start. I had not been to one before. But I was looking forward to it....as Gopalji progressed through the classes, I was finding that Ramayana and Hanuman stories were not just stories but had a whole new dimension of wisdom in it. Gopalji used many examples and practical demonstrations to show us that the only way one can become successful in life is to drop the strong hold of one’s own past and worries of future and excitement in the present.... How?

It was Guru Poornima on Friday, 25 of us met at Chinmaya Sannidhi Ashram. We registered ourselves and went in for the Pooja. We heard one of the youngsters speak on the glories of the Guru. It was amazing and I was wondering if I will ever find one. The festival finished and we had dinner Prasad. It was time for the CHYK Mini camp to start. I had not been to one before. But I was looking forward to it.

We started with ice breakers, Brni Sujataji and Br Gopalji joined us. Gopalji took on the role of the ice breaker. So he made us do different activities so that we can learn about each other and drop our gaurds. This was only possible if we can let go of our defences. By the end of the ice breakers, we were all relaxed and came to know each other. Sujataji introduced the purpose of the camp and the best way to gain the most out of the camp. Gopalji explained the camp rules and what is expected. He also gave some of us Japa malas and mantras to help us to do our japa meditation. He showed us the technique of how to do it. We had a light supper and retired for the night.

Next day morning eventhough meditation was not compulsory, most of us were eagar and ready. Sujataji took our meditation class. After meditation we were taught the significance of Pooja and we had lots of questions to ask. Sujataji patiently answered our questions. Finally it was time for the main classes to begin. The classes were taken by Gopalji. From our previous experience with Gopalji, he is very funny and entertaining when he teaches, so we were looking forward to learning. Also I felt that this topic will be quite light on as it was about Hanumanji and that would relate to Ramayana.

But as Gopalji progressed through the classes, I was finding that Ramayana and Hanuman stories were not just stories but had a whole new dimension of wisdom in it. Gopalji used many examples and practical demonstrations to show us that the only way one can become successful in life is to drop the strong hold of one’s own past and worries of future and excitement in the present. He showed us with a practical example. It was clear to us that, whenever we look into the future, we put our past in front of us and then we see the future. If we ever wanted to have infinite potential, we must first keep the past in the past only. Never bring it to the future. I was blown away by this explanation.

We also learnt how to chant the Sankat Mochan, the text we were studying. Some of us in the class had learnt prior to coming in a more musical way. Gopalji had to adapt to all of us. Gopalji, right from the beginning had told us that if we don’t understand anything during this camp, we must atleast just remember these two lines.

Ko nahee janata hey jagamei kapi
sankata mochana namati haro

Oh Sankat mochan (Hanumanji), you are the remover of all sorrows of the universe, please also remove mine (this is my own translation).

I remember even till today, I keep remembering these two lines again and again. When I speak to the others about this camp, we remember only these two lines. Its amazing.

The main teaching of Sanchat Mochan is for us all to surrender at the feet of Hanumanji, who represents both the Lord and the Guru. We learnt that there are 8 different causes of sorrows in life that disturb us. Gopalji illustrated each and every sorrow with a story relating to the Ramayana. He also gave us medicine or solutions how we can remove these sorrows. I have tried to summarise it here for everyone’s benefit.

Causes of Sorrows

1. Ignorance of the Truth - How to overcome this sorrow? - Cultivate Divine Qualities (Viveka (Discrimination), Vairagya (Dependency on other things & beings for my happiness), Shama & Dama (Self Control), Shraddha (Faith in the Lord, Scriptures, Guru, Myself), Mumukshutvam (Burning desire to reach the goal) etc and then gain the Knowledge of the Truth (Self)

2. Our own Karmas (results of our past actions/Destiny) cause sorrow - The medicine is to protect ourself and overcome destiny through Satsang (keeping company with saints and sages, spiritual people, going to bhajans, workship, reading inspiring books etc)

3. Our third sorrow comes from identification with the body , thru that attachment to the worldly objects. The cure for this is to hold on to higher goal which inspires you, refuse to rest till the goal is reached.

4. Brooding over sense objects leading to delusion is the next cause of sorrow. The remedy is to refuse the delights of delusion by fixing the mind on the lord, constantly remembering Him. With the Lord's grace, the Guru comes into our life to renew our faith and hope of gaining the infinite bliss.

5. Lack of Adequate dispassion causes sorrow. Living a life of control or mastery over the sense organs, living in moderation, and seeking the shelter of those who have devotion (Satsang) is the cure.

6. Limitations and doubts created by delusion causes sorrow. Surrender at the feet of the Guru, who will remove all doubts and impurities and free us from the limitations of the ego, this is the remedy.

7. Another cause of sorrow is our negative thoughts and desires of the unmanifested mind. The cure is when all fails, holding on to the lord of one's heart or holding on with faith and devotion to the feet of the guru is the gauranteed remedy.

8. The Mighty Ego is also a cause of sorrow. Therefore surrender with total faith, devotion and prayer; acknowledging all one's attachments, sins, regrets of the past and tearfully entreat the lord to remove this mighty and gripping ego, the very cause of all of our suffering.

We really enjoyed all these classes with Gopalji. We wanted to have more classes as Gopalji had to rush through few verses at the end. We definitely benefited. We pray to Hanumanji that we remember this teachings and practice them.

We like to thank Saumya, Ravi, Aditya for being the major organizers of this camp with Br Gopalji. We also like to thanks Brni Sujataji and Br Gopalji for all the valuable teachings given throughout the camp. Looking forward to the next mini camp. I have been told that it could be up in the mountains. Let’s wait and see.

We look forward to the “Win the World with Love Camp with Swami Swaroopanandaji”.

Photos from this event can be accessed here.