Vedanta Camp 2015 June 15 –June 22, 2015 at Krishnalaya, Piercy, California.
Once again, in the glorious year of the celebration of Gurudev’s birth centenary, we happily and gratefully renewed our presence in the peaceful, auspicious environment of Krishnalaya, nestled in the foothills of the coastal mountains, streams and beautiful redwood forests of California. The Eel River flows nearby invoking the image of the Ganga, which so inspired Gurudev to bless this place of study and worship more than thirty five years ago. Lovingly maintained by the devotees of the Chinmaya Mission Bay Area and blessed by the presence of our acharyas, this place has been a beacon of spiritual teaching and a source of loving inspiration for thousands of seekers of the sublime knowledge of Vedanta.
On June 15, 2015, in the presence of our beloved teacher and spiritual guide, Swami Tejomayananda, the Vedanta Camp opened with a brief inauguration of welcome and introduction by Pranji, who acknowledged all of the returning sadaks and welcomed those new to the Krishnalaya experience, of whom there where quite a few. We then were embraced by the loving words of Guruji, who introduced the text for our studies (The Gita of Sri Rama) and presented the Camp program of spiritual teachings, study, and a morning meditation led by Swamini Shivapriyananda from Toronto, Canada.
This once-a-year Camp event holds a special place in the hearts of the Chinmaya Mission devotees who return year after year to bathe in the sublime waters of Truth. The Camp is dedicated to the unfoldment of the essence of Vedanta teachings in the presence of Gurudev’s spirit, Guruji, and the acharyas of the Mission who have supported the many hours and days of teaching, meditation and devotion. Here at Camp, there is a beautiful, meaningful blend of head and heart: the two wings of knowledge and love which support the many seekers who have grown and deepened their knowledge and experience of the Self.
In the hands of the master teacher Swami Tejomayananda, The Sri Rama Gita is a profound and explicit text of the Truth of Self. In his inimitable style, blending humor, poetic illustration and musical accompaniments, Guruji effortlessly unfolded the deepest meaning of the stanzas. The path of understanding was laid bare for us all to see, partake of, and experience. Through the elegance of Guruji’s examples and explanations, the wisdom and essence of Sri Rama’s words to his devoted brother, Laksmana, were made available for our absorption and adoption. Although Laksmana was the brother of Sri Rama, he already had sufficient understanding and awareness to approach Sri Rama as his enlightened Guru. Delightfully illustrated by Guruji, the deeper meaning became clear: the need for us to completely surrender our unmindful egos so that our purified minds could receive and become aware of this inner surrender to the all-encompassing Presence of the One Truth – the Self in all and as all. Again and again, Guruji led us to the brink of direct perception, guiding us with a loving hand and apt metaphors, encouraging us to take that final step of letting go of our intellectual understanding so that the Truth appears shining and effulgent. This is the experience of Vedanta teaching in its finest and most direct means: the mirror of the mind cleansed of its projections becomes available for the appearance of pure awareness. How can we express our gratitude more sincerely than by following our teacher’s pointing finger and realizing This!
Swamini Sivapriyananda followed the theme of the talks in her daily meditation sessions encouraging us to witness the silence within, and to hold this awareness throughout the day.Focusing on the mind’s capacity to enter into a state of conscious awareness, saksi bhav,
Swaminiji demonstrated the presence of peace and awareness both as a state of mind and a way of being.
One of the achievements of the Bay Area Mission members has been to create a beautiful and inspiring exhibition of Gurudev’s work and teachings. An impressive and elegant new building is nearly completed next to Gurudev’s kutia. With space for display, as well as puja and meditation, the new building will be a showcase for Gurudev’s accomplishments. We enjoyed an inauguration ceremony, conducted by Guruji, complete with delightful bhajans. The final pada puja and Gurudaksina ceremonies were also held in this newly dedicated space.
Another highlight of this wonderful week, as if the teachings alone were not enough, was a special visit to the movie house in Garberville to see the new Chinmaya Mission movie titled
“The Quest.” Many of us attendees at the Camp had not seen this movie, although some said that they had seen it more than once. Depicting a faithful rendition of Gurudev’s journey through life, the movie commences with his pre-sannyasi days as a journalist and freedom-fighter, including a rather graphic episode of his imprisonment and near-death event before being blessedly nursed back to health by a woman who must be called a saint! We then see his attendance at Swami Sivananda’s asram in Risikesh, followed by his conversion to a convinced devotee and eventual swami by Swami Sivanandaji, at whose instruction he then journeys to the side of Swami
Tapovan Maharaj for the many years of service and teachings before commencing his life’s work as Swami Chinmayanda. The portrayals by the actors of these key personages are awesome in their completeness and authenticity, giving us a clear insight into the challenges and
achievements of becoming established in Truth. This becomes a lesson for us all, and the movie ultimately turns into an additional teaching experience alongside The Gita of Sri Rama.
To further fill the cup to overflowing, we enjoyed some extremely talented presentations by camp members, including a riveting performance by a young woman, Anjal Chande, from Chicago, who gave us an hour of beautiful dance and music interpretations of her own composition. She also played a very cool tabla!
Of course, which is itself a compliment – because the continued efforts by staff and volunteers are seamless – the meals and all arrangements for the comforts of the attendees were absolutely great. Our thanks to all, especially to John and Maureen.
We could not complete the camp without at least one Arti at the feet of Lord Krisna in the garden of Krisnalaya. Guruji delighted us all on the harmonium with bhajans, and we all joined in enthusiastically. Finally, as mentioned earlier, the Camp closed with the pada puja and
Gurudaksina in the new presentation building.
We do not see the Camp as coming to an end because we know that the physical presence of the Camp is form only, and the awareness of its spiritual contents remains with us in our hearts. So it is with great gratitude and love that we carry Krishnalaya with us wherever we (BMI) may go, and rest in the awareness that its deeper meaning is always present as “Presence – Prajna.”
Thank you Guruji, thank you Gurudev, and thank you Chinmaya Mission members.
Chinmaya Mission
