On a cool morning, in the midst of our first term holidays I and many other JCs woke much too early for our liking in order to attend the Junior Chyk workshop Hanging out with Hanuman. Still rubbing our eyes sleepily we entered the ashram with our warm beds foremost in our mind, these thoughts clearly displayed on our visages. Yet such thoughts of lethargy were soon banished from our minds as we immersed ourselves into the rigours of the day, partaking in classes and various activities, all the while in the company of our friends.

The foundation of Gautamji’s classes was the Hanuman Chalisa and over three sessions we delved further into the significance of this powerful prayer. In particular, we dissected and analysed six verses to which, we were told, the specific events and heroics of Hanuman were related. Additionally, we imbibed knowledge in regards to bringing these strengths and good qualities into our own life, such as Hanuman’s dogged persistence, untenable loyalty, quick thinking and single-minded focus.

Groundless information and knowledge without experience is of little value. Consequently Gautamji and the sevaks assisting him (and us) on the day organised many activities for our enjoyment and mental stimulation. Such activities encompassed feats of endurance, focus, persistence and camaraderie; where in the latter one the male group failed dismally. The last, and perhaps the most entertaining, was a quiz in which we were allotted into groups of ten, and asked how best to deal with a given situation using limited resources at our disposal. It was a feast of inventive thinking, eloquence and humour.

The day ended all too soon for the liking of most, if not all, certainly the participants. We left tentatively seeing off our friends, albeit content in the knowledge we had acquired that day.