Unlocking the Heart—CHYK & CSK Camp

‘Faith and fear cannot coexist’. That was the underlying thought at the four transformational days at the Chinmaya Maruti Ashram in Andover, MA, over Labor Day weekend (30 August to 02 September 2, 2024). Boston welcomed youth and Setukaris from across the region to a heartfelt retreat, Unlocking the Heart, guided by Shri Vivek Gupta (the resident guide of CM Niagara dedicated to empowering young adults by making Advaita Vedanta relevant and reachable to people across cultures and generations), Shri Shashikala Dwarkanath (the resident teacher at CM Boston); and Shri Suman Rajupet (Guiding and serving through most wonderful retreats and online study groups across Boston, CT, Pittsburgh and Rhode Island, Suman ji brings a refreshing relatability and depth to his teaching of Vedanta)..This 4-day retreat was an eclectic experience consisting of seva opportunities at the permaculture West Parish community garden where attendees helped clean out the weeds and pick fresh vegetables, spirited soccer playoffs, poetry, and sharing of devotional stories enjoyed with s’mores around a campfire and deep moments of reflection in the forest’s arms as the seekers hiked and recited the Hanuman Chalisa overlooking the stillness and vastness of nature. Spiritually, the guides drew from Srimad Bhagvatam and the Ramayana to cultivate harmony between the hearts and minds of seekers. Intimate Q&A sessions further enabled closeness with the guides. The retreat concluded leaving behind a renewed sense of love, lightness and clarity on the significance of devotion and how to cultivate it with true authenticity and depth.

Unlocking the Heart—CHYK & CSK Camp

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