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CHYK CAMP 2006 - ARISE AWAKE |
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(Streaming
MP3 Format)
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(Right
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| When
a ray of sunlight shines through raindrops in the air, the colours
inherent the water, until then only in a potential form, manifest
to form a beautiful rainbow. So too, when we do our work with
an attitude of love and respect, the colours of our personality
manifest in all their beauty, enhancing the quality of our own
lives and of those around us. |
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was one of the messages of Pujya Swami Chidatmananda at this
year's annual CHYK camp, 'Arise, Awake!'. And there could not
have been a more appropriate message for a camp which itself
unfolded in such a way that all the radiant and colourful personalities
that made up our CHYK group seemed, together, to form an amazing
image of beauty and oneness. |
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| The
highlight of the camp was undoubtedly Swamiji. Through his talks,
he guided us through verses of the Upanishads - the abode of
the Highest Knowledge, the Knowledge of the Self. Through the
simplest expressions, jokes and examples, he made the essence
of this subtle Knowledge available to us at our level. The result
was that his words rang true with each one of us - made us contemplative
and inspired to learn more and more about ourselves. His most
popular class seemed to be the one where he showed us how both
numerals and letters are made up of nothing but lines alone.
Those lines, in themselves having no value, are attributed a
value by us, so that we see in combinations of numerals, profit
and loss, and in combinations of letters, honour and dishonour.
By learning to see both as nothing but lines alone, how can
we allow our equanimity to be shaken by the particular shape
and form that those lines take? And thus, Swamiji showed us
a new way of thinking of the world. But it was not just through
Swamiji's classes that we learned from him. It is remarkable
- but his very presence seems to fill those around him with
quietude and contentment. Sometimes one feels that even if he
were to say nothing, we would still be able to feel peace in
his presence and, by that alone, be lifted. |
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| And
it was in this way that we were led to those quiet moments of
contemplation during the camp. Listening to the wind brushing
through the trees during walking meditation, hearing the birds
chattering loudly at tai chi sessions in the early morning,
feeling the warmth of the sunshine streaming through into the
hall during our opening prayers and watching the dancing flames
at our ever popular camp fire - I could not help but feel fulfilled,
contented and peaceful. For me, this was my little taste and
understanding of what Arising and Awakening is. As Swamiji said,
once we taste this silence, we cannot help but ask for more.
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| We
were also so lucky to have both Bhaktiji and Sumatiji with us
at the camp. I always look at our Acharyas with complete awe
at how such people have reached the spiritual pinnacles which
they have within such a short space of time. In her 'Mastering
the Mind' talks, Bhaktiji amazingly seemed to encapsulate 'Manual
of Self-Unfoldment' in just 2 hours. With absolute clarity,
she gave us the tools by which we can understand the mind -
its potential for both weakness as well as its divine, creative
power. But what was truly striking about Bhaktiji during the
camp was her devotion to Gurudev, and her visible love towards
all of us. It was her constant, silent work that seemed to hold
the camp together in a web of love. Always smiling and loving,
always fresh and graceful, as Swami Chidatmananda said, 'pleasing'
in every way, Fabien, one of the French CHYKs was right to call
her 'mother'. |
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| Bhaktiji's
talks seemed to fit perfectly with Sumatiji's teachings as well.
Sumatiji gave us the courage to go forth as seekers without
being overwhelmed by the seemingly vast conclusions of Vedanta.
She explained the steps which a spiritual seeker takes - to
firstly gain knowledge, to use this to change our vision, to
cultivate good intentions and to translate these into our actions
- all to enable us to purify our minds in readiness for the
accomplishment of greater spiritual heights. As Sumatiji said,
when we walk down a path on a dark night with only one small
torch in our hands, although when we look up, we see only darkness
and cannot find our way, if we focus instead at our feet on
the next step which is lit up by our torchlight, we are able
to progress. So too on a seeker's journey, whilst sometimes
the goal seems incomprehensible or unattainable, if we focus
instead on taking small steps, each step we need to take along
the path is revealed to us. As Swami Chinmayananda said, we
should "Hasten slowly". As always, Sumatiji brought
life and cheer to the camp. The bhajan session which she conducted
was a highlight of the camp. With her animated expressions and
beautiful voice, she made the session alive and so compelling
that even those who would normally not see themselves enjoying
bhajans, appreciated them. It was a joy to be around her, as
one could see by the number of people who would gather around
her, drawn by her cheerful attitude. How many lessons can we
draw just by seeing this attitude in action. |
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| And
then there were the hilarious, side-splittingly funny role-plays,
great evening activities, thought-provoking discussion groups
and afternoon activities of yoga, salsa, music writing and capoeira.
From the play written by Amisha and presented by her team of
CHYKs, to the unbelievably funny definition of 'Arise' by a
certain Professor Popolopodopolus, from Pranai's beautiful song
and Unati's melodious bhajans to Shalini's recitation - the
talents of so many CHYK personalities had the camp ringing with
laughter and fun. And one could visibly see the senior CHYKs
giving room for new CHYKs to express their talents, and grow.
With these thoughts, I could not help but think gratefully of
those who have paved the way that we now walk on - the 'pioneers'.
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as Bhaktiji said, we were watching, right there at the camp,
the work of the pioneers of CHYK France. The quiet kindness
and cheerful sacrifice of each one of the French attendees was
incredibly inspiring and will undoubtedly be the roots from
which CHYK France will grow. The ability of the French and English
CHYKs to relate to each other was also amazing - there seemed
to be a total identity born from an identity of goals. Through
hearty discussions of philosophy over lunch and exchanges of
ideas during discussion groups, we realised that we all, whether
French or English, in fact spoke the same language. |
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result of all this was an amazing and vibrant picture of talent
and humour, music and laughter. It was on this note that CHYK
Camp 2006 came to a close. Swami Chidatmananda, in his unique
and touching way, gave each one of us a special and individual
message to help us go forth in the world with confidence - throughout
the convocation, we could feel his silent blessings being showered
upon us. With Bhaktiji's lovely closing words and her obvious
affection for us, and Sumatiji smilingly putting on each of
our wrists the orange CM wristbands which mark us as CHYKs,
nobody was left untouched and happy tears were in the eyes of
many. |
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| As
I go back into my everyday world, I cannot help but feel so
incredibly fortunate to have been given these opportunities
and experiences. And I walk back into the world, with a feeling
of having arisen and awakened, maybe not in the highest sense,
but all the same with inspiration in my heart and a smile on
my face. And, through this, I know that the grace of that true
Master, Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, is with me. |
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| May
we all use these opportunities which we get to chisel our personalities
into characters of virtue, courage and wisdom. As Swami Chidatmananda
said to us, the greatest service we can render to the world
is to purify ourselves. Through the quality of our work, may
we beautify the world, and, together, allow the light to shine
through us brightly, revealing our personalities in their truest
colours, glorious and Godly. The orange wristbands which we
now wear tell us that |
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"We
Can, We Must … We Will!".
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Chinmaya Mission UK, Chinmaya Kirti, 2 Egerton Gardens, Hendon, London NW4 4BA
Tel: 0208 203 6288
Registered Charity No :1077622
E-mail : info@chinmayauk.org
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