The Chinmaya Dharma Sevak Course has been masterfully conceived to give spiritual aspirants who live in the work-a-day world a complete and holistic view of life in accordance with Dharma.

This is the 8th such course to take place in Chinmaya Gardens, a simple yet stunning ashram surrounded by the lush green Nilgiri mountains near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu under the dynamic and inspirational hand of Swamini Vimalanandaji.

Every aspect of this unique programme satisfies the human personality, and equips seekers with the means and courage to live and practice the Hindu way of life in such a way that it pervades every aspect of your being and surroundings; bringing immense joy to the life of the individual as well as subtlety and purity of mind.

Dharma Sevaks and Sevikas live by a disciplined daily routine.

The day begins with meditation and Vedic chanting, and is interspersed with classes on Upanishadic Wisdom, detailed study of 2 chapters of the Bhagavad Geeta, Pujas, Homams, study of the Sanskrit language and devotional singing and satsang.

But living such a lifestyle does not feel austere, or difficult.

It just feels right, and it conserves your energy in such a way that you are able to serve and act with full attention and sincerity each day. Age becomes irrelevant, as a group we ranged from age 20 to 66, and we all felt completely bonded. We laughed, studied and reflected in an intensely sattvic environment for 6 weeks; it was impossible for us not to feel deeply connected by the end.

To break the routine, a series of special days were marked including Gurudev's Mahasamadhi Day, India's Independence Day, Onam, Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami.

We were forced to ponder over the greatness of Mother India, why She is so great and what we will do for Her. We celebrated Raksha Bandhan as one big family of brothers and sisters. We observed 'mauna' and reflected on the greatness of the Guru, we ate a Keralan feast from a banana leaf on Onam day and we danced and sang the glories of Sri Krishna into midnight on Janmashtami.

Performing Pujas mechanically is widespread in the present day, but on the Dharma Sevak course, they became very special moments. Performing the steps correctly purifies the mind and invokes a deep sense of reverence for the divine. In the company of almost 30 'purohits-in-training' chanting Vedic mantras, the ashram atmosphere was highly charged, particularly during Pujas and Aartis.

The world is overflowing with myriad distractions in the 21st century.

It is only a handful of privileged individuals that complete the Dharma Sevak course.

They are enriched in ways that are inexplicable, that will change the way they act in each aspect of their lives henceforth.

Do not wait until you are retired to do this course - I feel so blessed to have this wealth of knowledge at the age of 27, but also sad that we were only 22 people on the course.

What I have imbibed will make me a better journalist. It too will make you a better banker, doctor, lawyer, husband, wife etc. Take a sabbatical. Take the blessings of your life partner - whatever is required for you to be here. This course will make you a hundredfold better in all these aspects of your life.

One of the greatest personal realisations that has arisen from the course is that I have long been mistaking the means for the goal.

As long as I keep doing this I will always live in pain.

There is one goal in life, it does not mean other worldly goals should not be sought -they simply need to be pursued with the right vision. Only then will they purify the mind and bring us closer to the ultimate goal of what we all seek: infinite and eternal happiness.

Whilst this course is available under the guidance of Swami Vimalanandaji and the blessings of Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, I would sincerely advise all sincere seekers who live in the world to make the completion of this magnificent course their number one priority.

Hari Om,

Vishva Samani