Event: Tapovan Sadhana Camp - 2
Venue: Uttarkashi, Gangotri, Gomukh
Dates: 7th - 14th June 2015
Reported by: CHYK Rohit Hegde
Swami Swatmanandaji led a group of 29 Mission members and CHYKs to the
Tapovan Sadhana Camp – 2 starting on 7th June at Uttarkashi. The group
ranged from active 23-year-olds to a dynamic 58-year-old Amma!
Mornings began with yoga sessions by Chyk Ankita, followed by inspiring video
talks of Pujya Gurudev and maintaining silence in Tapovan Maharaj’s kutir to a
trek to in the woods to Nachiket Taal. From Uttarkashi, the group reached
Gangotri where they interacted with Swami Sunderananda (direct disciple of Sw
Tapovan Maharaj and Guru Bhai of Gurudev) and did the Gangaji aarti. The next
stop was after a 14km trek at Bhojwasa which is 5km from Gomukh. The high
altitude of 13,500 ft made breathing difficult and negotiating the hilly terrain - part
ice, part rocky - was a huge challenge. But the group ably led by Swatmanandaji
kept chanting and with the blessings of Mother Ganga reached Bhojwasa camp
by early evening hours.
The journey continued with the final ascent to Gomukh. This stretch was rapidly
scaled by the group. On the shores of the Ganges, we thanked the Masters
chanting Guru stotram and prayed to Mother Ganga -chanting the Ganga stotram
at the very source of these blessed waters, was an amazing and truly humbling
experience. Swamiji motivated the group with a deep insight that this trek
symbolised our journey back to the source of all thoughts, that spring of
consciousness within us and how one needs to go against the current to reach
the source (Gomukh) ie. Consciousness
Our learnings from the camp were: keep the faith - if the Mind has reached the
goal, the body will follow. Just focus on the next step and be in the present;
thinking of the past or future would only dissipate your energy. This camp was a
test of one’s endurance, will power and the willingness to take on a challenge
and push oneself beyond one’s limits while keeping unwavering shraddha in the
Lord and Gurudev who blessed us at each step we took.