CHYK DC held their annual retreat from July 21-23 at Chinmaya Somnath, located in Chantilly, VA. The CHYK retreat was held alongside a Family Camp run by CMWRC, led by Mukhya Swami Swaroopananda. Mukhya Swamiji spoke on the Gayatri Mantra, including its history and cultural significance, its meaning, and its power. The CHYK camp also included discourses led by Vivekji on “Peace in a Restless World”.
Because the retreat was organized alongside a Family Camp, it was structured differently than a normal CHYK retreat. The CHYKs sat alongside other members during the discourses by Mukhya Swamiji and during meals, and spent the other hours listening to discourses by Vivekji, engaging in satsang, and participating in Q&As. This arrangement also allowed for CHYKs to participate in seva activities with the local Chinmaya Mission chapter, such as serving meals and helping with set up and clean up. This strengthened the bond between the local CHYK community and the Chinmaya Somnath congregation.
During the course of the retreat, Mukhya Swami Swaroopananda illuminated the history of the Gayatri Mantra, the traditions surrounding it, and its meaning, both literal and philosophical. Mukhya Swamiji spent a great deal of time focusing on the universality of the Gayatri Mantra. The message of Vedas and spiritual knowledge being applicable to all was reminiscent of the original message of Gurudev.
The final event for the CHYK retreat was a Q&A/satsang with Mukhya Swamiji limited to CHYKs. During this time, he told stories about his time with Gurudev and gave us further insight into his discourses.
