Wednesday, 21 June 2023
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
JoyMantras inner Recharge Retreat Experience
I am floating…
The soft glow of the setting sun soothes my skin and my mind; I hear the rustles of the leaves as the wind flows by…
I guess I should explain that this is not some fictional reality that I am making up. This is just one small part of the inner Recharge Retreat organized by JoyMantras which I attended, on April 21 – 22.
Traffic and noise are just two of the words that symbolize our urban everyday life. I could add a few more, like busy, stress, bills, deadlines, etc… but I guess you know that story already.
Before I leave for office, I always ask myself, have I recharged my phone, my laptop. If I didn’t, I would kick myself for being forgetful. Yet how is it that, though we remember to charge our electronic devices, we forget to charge ourselves?
So, I decided to get myself ‘recharged’. Ok, first things first, I thought, how could this be different from a company outing, where people take you, have ‘team’ activities, and you generally unwind with nature. Well, let me tell you, it was so much more than that.
Let us start off with the location. This retreat program was in the lap of nature, with the Cauvery River just a stone throw away. It was a serene location, with nature left to run free and wild, unburdened by the shackles of human encroachment. Our huts were cool and comfortable, with the needed essentials to ensure a comfortable stay. Rustic surroundings helped us focus on the sights and sounds without any distractions by the products of civilization.
The ice breaker that kicked things off reminded me first of all of a gurukul. Under the share of a magnificent, grand Tamarind tree, all of us who had come here to recharge and transform were greeted by our host and the chief mentor Arun Bhardwaj. We had a diverse group, with children, young professionals, a public figure, housewives and a restaurant owner among us. Yet we did not feel awkward after a few minutes of starting the ice breaker. Our chief mentor Arun effortlessly steered us towards getting to know about each us. The rose and accompanying story that he shared with each of us was a beautiful gesture to connect and appreciating the goodness in everyone.
After some soul searching, the fun really kicked up a notch or three. The magnificent Cauvery lay before us, and of course, the first thing we did was make ourselves thoroughly drenched. Of course, we enjoyed the weightlessness of floating, the swimming, and the koraikal ride, in which we caught glimpses of wild life on the bank of the river. After thoroughly enjoying ourselves, I thought we had had enough for one evening. But no friends, the fun was just beginning.
Arun made us sit chest deep in water, and introduced us to the intoxicating pleasures of laughter meditation. Sitting there with my fellow companions, I cannot recall having enjoyed myself so much in recent memory. The laugher reverberated across the river banks. I guess the deers were enjoying it as well.
After cleaning up and hearty libations of tea and bread pakodas, we decided to explore and experience the sound and sights of nature as the birds were returning home, the wind was flowing through our hair, and the sun was bidding us good night.
A roaring campfire greeted us by the lake after dinner, and we played games and sang under the light of the stars. Arun showed us a different side of himself, breaking into an impromptu song sequence with songs from more than 8 languages. But the real stars of the evening where the children, who took center stage and performed songs and jokes that thoroughly lit up the faces more than the fire itself.
Of course, we wanted even more, but had to call it a night since we had to wake up early for the surprise that Arun had planned for us.
Normally, I would struggle to and shudder at the thought of waking up at 5:30 AM, that too on a weekend. But I was very intrigued and did not want to miss the morning session, so I woke up half an hour earlier. It was dark when we went to the river bank again, and we could hear the gentle flow of the water. When I stepped into it, I was initially shocked by some things nibbling by my feet. When I looked down, I could see little fishes helping themselves to the dead skin cells on my toes. Free Fish Spa treatment. You Bet!
As the sky started lighting up slightly on the horizon, Arun asked us to close our eyes and led us on a peaceful inward journey along with teaching us breathing exercises. As we opened our eyes, we saw the magnificence of the Sun as it slowly rose from the surrounding hills, bathing the river and our faces with its soft, mesmerizing glow. It was a sight that even a thousand photographs cannot explain. We followed up our mediation sessions with a visit to the nearby Gurukul where the Acharya injected us with golden wisdom and some humorous anecdotes as well.
By now we were hungry and the Puri-Cholle at breakfast was manna from heaven, and we dug into it with gusto. Happily fed, I could have slept for the next few hours, except that the Jungle Gym beckoned. I got to see a completely different side of people, who cut loose and jumped, whooped and took part in all the activities with enthusiasm. I must say the effect of inner Recharge on all of us was in action right in front our eyes. It was then that I realized that we do not judge people when we are not threatened and are not competing, we really love to live in Joy and Happiness, like children. It was so refreshing to see the true, unadulterated pure side of people.
After the Jungle Gym Activities, Arun took us to a lovely grand hall for our last and final activity, the Spirit of Dance – with Movement Meditation. Now, I know that most of us have not danced and are terrified to do so. But he reassured that this was more than just dancing; it was a means of experiencing ourselves. So we swayed to the music, and swayed to our inner rhythm. It was very refreshing and uplifting, to say the least.
As we arrive to the end of our program we experienced and saw a new side of people, made lifelong friends of those who were strangers to us just 24 hours ago.
The journey back to Bangalore seemed to happen really quickly. And as I got stuck in Bangalore traffic, again, I looked back with a sigh, and realized that tomorrow was a Monday, and that Office beckoned. But then I realized that the next program was just a month away, and a smile as broad as the rising sun made its way to my lips once again, as I laughed away the Bangalore traffic, just as I had learnt 24 hours ago.
I would also like to share all the wonderful moments and memories through these lovely pictures, made even more wonderful by the presence of my joyful companions in them:
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