IndiaPost.com - Chinmaya spiritual retreat for students, professionals

CHICAGO: The Chicago Chinmaya Mission spiritual retreat themed "Self-Discovery: Path to Perfection" is slated to be held from August 4-10 at the newly inaugurated Yamunotri Ashram in Grayslake, Illinois.

"We are here to provide opportunity for people of the community to improve their lives," said Shankar Pillai, President of Chinmaya Mission Chicago, during the opening ceremony of the past CHYK National Young Adults' Camp.

Attendees of a truly diverse background hail from across North America and abroad, with little exposure to Hindu philosophy will have a great the opportunity to learn the basics. The setting of the Yamunotri Ashram, located at 30877 North Fairfield Road in Grayslake, IL is ideal for such a spiritual retreat.

The camp is entirely organized by youth volunteers in the Chicago area and assisted by the selfless work of parent sevaks and sevikas. Each morning begins at 7 am with guided meditation, yoga, and a silent morning walk through the ashram gardens. Students will be led by Swami Ishwaranandaji from Los Angeles and Acharya Gaurang Nanavaty from Houston, who pass on the knowledge of the scriptures with ease.

This year discourses will be based on selected verses from the Bhagavad Gita. Practical and philosophical topics are interspersed with hilarious jokes and clever stories.

Each day will also consist of small-group discussions, delicious food, sports and recreation, entertainment, bhajans, and a thought-provoking question/answer session with the acharyas. In addition to this, students have every opportunity to speak with the acharyas one-on-one.

All week the spirited young adults will engage in discussion and exploration of Vedantic philosophy, using the acharyas and each other as sources for new perspectives and answers.

Other special events will include morning meditation on the lake, open-mic talent show, garba-raas-bhangra evening, and trip to downtown Chicago. In September 2008, CHYK will also host the 2nd annual 5K Walk-a-thon to raise funds for the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD).

CORD uses its resources to promote rural development in more than 540 impoverished villages in Himachal Pradesh, India. The organization promotes opportunities for oppressed women by empowering them with basic education, micro-banking skills, and preventative health care measures.

"The organization has transformed the lives of marginalized people and empowered them to take control of their lives," said Pooja Merai, who spent more than four months with her sister, Poonam, volunteering in Himachal Pradesh under CORD director Dr Kshama Metre.