Sooo many pairs of shoes outside the *Bal Chetna Shibir venue! I got a little nervous! How will we manage so many kids?
Inside the venue - such bright, eager, innocent faces! My initial apprehension withered off and was finally completely put to rest when I saw Chandrani monitoring the kids. I knew instantly, with her around, I will not have to worry about disciplining the kids! And it proved to be so true! All through the course I was passing on the mike to her saying “aage shaanto kor.” (calm them down first!) :-P
And she was such a pro!
“muh par ungli aur aankhen baand!” – These magic words did all the magic!
She was very ably aided by Snigdha and Prachi – two very dynamic and charming ladies. I guess this was the first time they were assisting a Bal Chetna shibir and they survived, though initially I think they looked petrified!
Jokes apart, the course started off with a bang! Of course with a pack of "wild horses" (as Guruji says) what else do you expect? Their faces shone with excitement as they enthusiastically pledged to come on all five days of the course.
As Guruji's knowledge started to unfold before them, they listened with rapt attention. It was so nice to see them learning so many things about the body and mind, meditation, good habits, responsibility and many other valuable life skills. Repeated revisions ensured that they got it right.
A funny observation here - A lot of kids raised their hands high up whenever any question was asked but when they were asked to answer, it became clear that they had raised the hand more out of enthusiasm than out of knowing the answer! ;-) Madhupriya’s hilarious replies to the kids when she was bombarded with raised hands and shouts of “ma’am” “ma’am”, was another funny high point of the course!
Meditation with them was a revelation!
It was difficult to imagine these bouncing kids being able to sit still even for a few seconds but what a surprise! They did the bhastrika (which they learnt at one go!) with the utmost sincerity, followed it up with Om chanting and then “la la” meditation. Wow!
While they just could not stop laughing and giggling the first day they did the “la la” meditation, the sincerity on the remaining four days was just amazing! Each day I would reluctantly conclude the meditation, wishing so much to elongate it a little more, and just sit blissfully in that space of amazing stillness and quiet joy.
Guru stories were a hit as usual! Wonder-struck they fell silent on hearing how grace is always taking care of us every moment. Stories of faith are always so much food for the soul. Madhupriya’s soothing voice and strong conviction while talking about the Master further enhanced the charm.
What splashed more colors of joy in the course was… … any guesses?! Yessss! It had to be the Satsang!! It was our lively bhajans that took the joy barometer to the highest point! It was impossible to not get affected by Sandeep's bhakti-stirring and goose-bump giving voice and Sunny's delightful pricking of the guitar strings! The duo’s playfulness, love, bhakti, smiles spread quickly and everybody went just high high high (both vocally and spiritually) ;-) Aaah well! After the sessions with the somewhat strict didis, the friendly and smiling bhaiyaas were so so so welcome!!
Yes. The connection was made! The kids were blessed with the security of Divine Love. They now know that they have someone with them ALWAYS. Just this knowing is enough, rest everything just happens! What say? :-)
My (and I am sure it is yours too!) learning from the course – Seva when done in a group becomes a yagna! I know (and I am sure you know it too!) that we will all be working together again to bring more and more people in this beautiful path of love, joy and knowledge.
Wishing all of us a Gurumai 2012! May all of us be in Him ALWAYS… rest everything just happens! What say?
Sangachaadwam!
Lets move together!
:-)
*Bal Chetna Shibir - An Art of Living stress elimination program for the underpriveledged children (7-16 years).
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