If we could all view our lives in flashback, from our birth till the present moment, all we would see
is that WE WERE ALWAYS RUNNING. Towards something or away from something. Never
stopping to pause and enjoy this human life we’re blessed with. Ironically we keep money in
lockers and jewels in velvet boxes, but let our bodies, emotions and relationships take a beating.
Stress, anger, troubled relationships, wrong patterns of thinking, disconnect with our inner
nature…..these are the self-inflicted bruises that are on us now.
The good news (there’s always good news for the Chinmaya family!) is that: We can heal and be
healed. How? BE SMART!
Br. Ved Chaitanyaji conceptualised a unique programme of 5 modules with the underlying theme
being Self Management And Right Thinking (SMART). These modules are the fruit of Gurudev’s
grace, Vedji’s vision and inspired efforts by the Chyks and study class members. The SMART
workshop modules are Chinmaya Mission’s offerings towards building the community, and will be
conducted in schools and colleges. To take this ahead, there was a training of the trainers (TOT)
workshop conducted by Vedji and Vidhu Sharmaji on the 2 nd and 3 rd July at Chinmaya Prerana. It
was a delightful mix of 45 aspiring trainers from all age groups, across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
After an interesting introduction and ice breaking session, the five modules were taken up over the
two days. The acronym SMART was cleverly integrated into each module and the presentations
themselves had a perfect blend of practicality and wisdom. With examples and anecdotes galore,
the participants got an overview of how to connect to a target audience. The modules contained
words of spiritual masters as well as those of present day achievers. Videos, movie clips, sound
tracks and quotes were sprinkled liberally in and through the modules. The five modules taken up
were: SMART - Stress Management, Managing Relationships, Anger Management, Right
Thinking & Tuning Within.
After each module, there was a lively group discussion where doubts and queries were thrashed
about so that all that remained was clarity about the topic! There was also a questionnaire at the
end of the workshop which saw enthusiastic responses from all the participants, which revealed
how engrossing this venture was. A session on Public speaking and microphone and projector
nitty-gritty’s (to assist tech.challenged and stage phobic members like most of us!) was also
included to make this indeed a complete TOT workshop. In this era of sequels, it’s but natural that
each participant would be presenting a mock session (a week after this workshop) and gaining the
go-ahead from the mentors before they go out in the field for service!
Finally, all participants expressed their commitment to approach schools and colleges and
volunteered to conduct these SMART workshops and take this movement forward. This was the
true success of the workshop and what’s more…Gurudev would surely be happy to see his Sevaks
spreading maximum happiness to maximum people!!
