The Yuvak-Yuvati Mandal of UK & Europe organised a special online shibir on Sunday 21 February 2021. Themed Satsang: The True Lens, the day-long programme explored how to clear one’s māyik vision and focus on the true understanding of Satsang, the Satpurush, ourselves and the world around us to attain eternal spiritual bliss.
The day began with the webcast darshan of Mahant Swami Maharaj’s pujā from Nenpur, India. After his pujā, Swamishri performed the deep prāgatya to auspiciously commence the shibir in the traditional manner.
Throughout the day, more than 3,000 devices logged on to the webcast stream to enjoy practical guidance from sadguru swamis, thought-provoking presentations by learned swamis from around the world, introspective videos, specially recorded kirtans, and special ashirwad from Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj.
With three sessions in total, each one covered important topics relevant to the current times, including how to identify and overcome one’s swabhāvs as well as cultivating vivek (discretion) in one’s words and ways, for example, in one’s use of social media.
The final session focused on the most important tools to help clear one’s lens – cultivating a true understanding of the Gunatit Satpurush’s mahimā, developing draddha priti for him, and striving to earn his rājipo.
Between the sessions, delegates were provided with activity packs to perform with their families to enhance the learnings from the various presentations. Children of the delegates also had fun activities to keep them engaged while parents participated in the shibir.
To help foster a sense of togetherness, despite being physically apart due to the ongoing pandemic, a special menu together with a recipe had been sent to all the registrants beforehand, allowing everyone to have the same meal for lunch.
Participants from around the world found the shibir highly inspiring, with some describing it as “life-changing”, “eye-opening”, and “the perfect spiritual recharge”.
One yuvati from Birmingham, UK, shared, “What an incredible day! My teenage children and mother-in-law all thoroughly enjoyed it, too. What I personally found most useful was that the prasangs of male and female haribhaktas were so relatable and the guidance was always so practical. It made me realise that I can bring about a positive change in my life and reap the true benefits of Satsang here and now!”
A yuvak from Stuttgart, Germany, added, “It was a divya [divine] day, right from Swamishri’s puja darshan in the morning to the final session. I admit that I was sceptical at first about joining a shibir for a whole day, but it whizzed by! In fact, it was exactly what I needed during this very difficult year for me and my family.”