 |
|
|
 |
 |
| |
|
Right
Here Right Now
|
|
(Click
On The Flyer Above To View The Right Here Right Now Theme
Video)
|
| |
|
'Right
here, right now is where you live. It is where everything
happens. You need not look to the future, nor cling to the
past, but remain in awareness. Right here, right now is where
you will find the spirit abiding, resonating. Right Here,
Right Now, your state of Being is unfolded within you.'
|
|
|
Are
you ready?
|
|
| It
was on this striking note that this year's camp, entitled 'Right
Here Right Now', kicked off with a superb video presentation.
From that moment on, the camp became, at every turn and every
moment, a brilliant display of dynamism - in fact, of dynamic
spirituality. |
|
| The
camp was led by no less than a living example of this dynamic
spirituality - Swami Chidatmananda. Swamiji has been conducting
Chyk camps for the UK and French youth groups for several years
now. Yet he never fails to astound us all, both newcomers and
familiar ones, with his teachings. He did it again this year
- roaring the declarations of the Vedas from the stage, lighting
up the classes with his truly original jokes, leading us into
silent meditation and conducting workshops to allow us to see
the application of Vedanta in day-to-day living. One wonders
how one with such boundless energy can at the same time have
such a peaceful presence. Yet he combines both, and spreads
them to those around him, bringing a cheerful and creative energy
into the camp. |
|
| It
was this message of creativity that was the theme of his talks.
Using the example of Hanumanji, he showed us how we could be
the source of great creativity if we learned the art of 'creative
visualisation' - if we learned to free ourselves into new patterns
of thinking. He encouraged us to look at problems with a different
perspective - since if God is complete, then where there is
a problem, there must also exist a solution. Like the story
of the donkey who fell into a well and whose master then threw
sand over him to try and smother his cries, we should learn
to shake off the dirt thrown on us by the world and use it as
a stepping stone to rise from the deep wells that we live in.
Keeping our attitude of learning intact, and our spirit of experiment
alive, we should learn to turn 'Impossible' to 'I'm possible'!
It is this confidence - that our potential is limitless because
of our own connection with the limitless - that all true Masters
have learned the art of. They do not seek confidence from anywhere
but themselves. They are on an inward journey - a journey which
requires no movement, that has no distance and no arriving or
reaching. For they know that if we are Infinite, we need not
go anywhere and need no time to reach any place - time and distance
in fact become irrelevant. For these Masters, all that exists
is the present moment: the Right Here Right Now. |
|
| Swamiji
explained how with this vision, the ultimate challenge becomes
the ultimate opportunity. It was this powerful attitude that
we could see in action throughout the camp. In every presentation
shown, every song sung or drama acted out, every poem recited,
we saw this confidence - which begets creativity - flowing through
the attendees. Each attendee seem to excel in a different way.
Whether it was evoking thought-provoking ideas in discussion
groups, or performing dramas during our cultural evenings, or
playing musical pieces that they had themselves written at the
camp fire, one could see people seizing the opportunity to be
at their best. |
|
| All
the Chyks, whether newcomers or old-timers, seemed to be touched
to different depths. It is constantly amazing to see the depth
of the people at camp and the love that they are able to generate.
In the words of one French Chyk 'I never had the opportunity
to meet so many great people in two days. I met more interesting
people there than in all my life'. There was so much to learn
from each other and from the camp: from the sweetness of the
sevaks and the sincerity in their service, the way in which
the French Chyks (despite difficulties in understanding classes
in a foreign language) leant forward in every class, eyes glued
to the teacher, from their hilarious play which, apart from
the great wigs and good jokes, portrayed the message of what
qualities are required to achieve sustained happiness in this
world. Through the mediation sessions in the mornings, we learned
to quieten our minds, to become watchful over them and become
conscious that we are separate from them. Even the lovely setting
of the camp played its part - just enjoying the chill mornings
slowly being warmed by the sunshine, watching the play of the
sunlight off the trees during our classes, and appreciating
the quietness of the dark as we walked to the camp fire in the
evenings - one felt at tune with nature. Swamiji said during
one of his talks that life is a journey which teaches us at
every turn. That was exactly what camp was - each moment was
a moment where a lesson was learned. Simply because we had opened
ourselves up to learning. |
|
| Camp
was full of such precious moments - for each, it was something
different. It is difficult not to feel the utmost gratitude
for being able to have these opportunities to learn and be around
great people. It was this feeling of gratitude that was evoked
by the beautiful presentation of Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda's
life work. For some time after it was played, the images remained
in my mind. It is no exaggeration, indeed it is an understatement,
to say that Gurudev transformed the lives of so many across
the world. |
|
| And
that feeling of gratitude extended to the Acharyas who continue
his work at Chinmaya Mission France and UK: Bhaktiji and Sumatiji.
For it is their work, every day, that keeps the Mission's activities
and its message growing in these countries. Bhaktiji's talks
on 'The Modern Spirit' at camp explained how in our misguided
rationalism, we (the modern world) have smothered what is best
in us - that through focus on scientific study and intellectual
endeavours alone, we have somehow depreciated the higher power
of the intellect - that which has access to transcendence and
real creativity. She explained how spirituality channelises
rationalism, enables the intellect to become an intuitive and
reflective instrument and allows us to live as part of the natural
order of things - the Dharmic order. The logic and brilliance
of her talks was compelling, her endless source of energy in
working for the camp was evident and the quiet dynamism with
which she acted drew Chyks to her constantly throughout the
camp - all wanting to discover more about themselves through
her guidance and her example. |
|
| Sumatiji
also for so many of us Chyks in London has brought a special
life and cheer to the Mission's activities in London. And she
brought that with her to the camp! During her bhajan session,
every cell within us seemed to be alive and dancing! So much
so that even people from other groups at the venue were drawn
to the hall. As she laughed at us during the Q&A session,
making light of our questions, her answers were another reminder
of the simplicity yet subtlety that is required in the field
of spirituality. And yet the depth of her message was striking
- that it is what we do with what we get shows the depth of
our spirituality and that in any endeavour, one should remember
that 'I am the knower, not the known'. To live this is to be
a true Chyk. |
|
| Some
weeks after the camp, I still recall vividly how, as the camp
came to its conclusion at the convocation ceremony, Swamiji,
Bhaktiji and Sumatiji sat in front of the towering picture of
Gurudev. His Disciples. I snapped that image with my eyes as
a photo for my mind. I remembered Swamiji's words - that, just
by associating ourselves with the ideals of the Giants of our
age, we can stand on their shoulders. Just as they stood on
the shoulders of Gurudev, we could stand on theirs - and with
that strong foundation, reach for the highest. Swamiji reminded
us of this with his kind words given specially to each one of
us at the end of the camp, reminding us of our highest potential.
One wonders at how words spoken with such gentleness can hold
such great power. Yet, isn't it true that many of the greatest
forces in nature are exactly that - both gentle and powerful?
|
|
| The
camp came to a conclusion with a powerful message - that we
now had many volunteers, but that what was needed now was Leaders.
As I looked around me, I smiled quietly, since I could see that
we had what we needed. And I thought confidently, that whilst
there may be much conflict in the world today, and many transgressions,
and whilst the world may often seem to be moving in an alarming
direction, it is we who are The Modern Spirit. We are the future.
If we choose, we can change ourselves and the world around us.
In the words of the Chinmaya Mission pledge, all we need is
the virtue, courage and wisdom to live this vision. I go back
to the words with which this absolutely wonderful camp started:
|
|
| Are
we ready? |
| The
answer is so clear, I need not say it. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
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
g
|
