If there’s anything that human beings fear more than death, it is probably old age. After the energetic and bustling years of youth, who would want to live through what is often an uncertain and anxiety-filled final phase of life, right?
Wrong. Pose that question to any of the senior seekers who attended the Vanprastha Retreat in Rajkot, Gujarat, and you would know why. Or should we say “young” Vanprastha seekers, a title given to them by Sri Guru, and a fitting recognition of their youthful energy!
Sri Guru started this young-at-heart retreat clarifying the meaning of Vanprastha – moving towards one’s true nature. This definition busted the myth that spirituality is reserved for the older ages. Sri Guru also shared six key duties of living a Vanprastha life, duties which are obviously relevant to anyone on the spiritual quest.
The core topic of the retreat was Shrimad Rajchandraji’s Vachnamrut 466, a letter that lists nine points of reflection for seekers walking the path with an Enlightened Master. Each point was followed by discussion on an introspective question. The eagerness with which the “young” Vanprastha seekers shared their viewpoints and experiences would have put the biological youth to shame, who were left stumped by the Expressions evening in the actual Youth Retreat earlier this month.
Having lived through an era when the term ‘mail’ was yet to be synonymous with ‘email’, these seekers would have had plenty of experience writing letters. But it’s fair to assume that none of them would have written a letter quite like the one they were asked to write during this retreat – a letter to God. Guided by a beautiful outline prepared by Sri Guru herself, each seeker poured their heart out into words on a postcard dedicated to the Almighty Beloved!
The most magical moments of the retreat were undoubtedly when Sri Guru recited a poem from Roohaniyat, creating an atmosphere that defies description. She went on to share the story about how the first few ayat (verses) of the Holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad. The spell-binding impact of the story on the audience was yet another example of how spirituality unites all religions.
The final session of the retreat saw the seekers calculating their ‘Perspective Score’, a self-assessment reflecting their position on the spectrum of ‘survival’ to ‘spiritual’. The retreat concluded with this insightful exercise, but the caravan marched on towards Gyan Mandir for the final Satsang of this Dharma Yatra – a reverent tribute to Shrimad Rajchandraji on His 124th Deh Vilay Divas. A delay in the return flight graciously allowed for an informal Samagam with Sri Guru at the Rajkot airport.
The most exciting news from the Dharma Yatra? The Vanprastha Retreat is set to return to Rajkot next year. For our young Vanprastha seekers, that return cannot come soon enough.
We have send code on +91 9876543210. Change Number
We have send code on +91 9876543210. Change Number
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