Chinmaya Mission Australia (Sydney) organised a Ladies (Devi) Residential Retreat Camp with Br Gopal Chaitanya (Acharya of Chinmaya Misson Australia) on 30th to 31st July 2010. Fifteen ladies availed themselves of the opportunity to receive guidance from Br Gopalji on the best way to live their lives thru this camp on "The Gita Guidance to Life".

After 'ice breaker' activity, we moved into the learning process with Br Gopalji’s classes. Early on the 31st, we gathered for japa and meditation practice then continued with further classes and learning.

Gopal-ji had extracted 31 slokas from the Bhagavad Gita to be examined throughout the camp, not just intellectually, but experientially. Ample time was given for silent reflection, group discussions and for asking questions. There were practical points and some thought-provoking multimedia presentations by Gopalji. One highlight was the laughing yoga session in the back garden of the Chinmaya Sannidhi Ashram with Gopalji’s talks on stress management was a winner for us ladies; Gopal-ji also lightened things with some wonderful stories which helped deepen our understanding whilst being entertaining.

There were lots of wonderful moments and insights gained and, of course, the pure vedantic view regarding the cause of our woes was fully explored. If one phrase encapsulates the message of the camp it is this; "Don't worry - be happy!".

We look forward to the next camp in October 2010, I hear it could be an Upanishad.