Lessons on the road to greatness

Hari Om! This year my family and I had the opportunity to attend the Chinmaya Mahasamadhi Camp in Chicago, Illinois. Hundreds of Chinmaya families from all across the United States gathered to celebrate the glory and vision of our beloved Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. With the goal being to harness youth potential through dynamic spirituality, the sevikas worked to empower the youth with the vision and values needed for success in all aspects of life.

This year the topic of the camp was Bhagavad Gita – Chapter 9, “Royal Knowledge, Royal Secret”. The theme was how to live a good life through a proper understanding of our scriptures. The days were filled with lessons, bhajans, skits and other fun activities. The Mahasamadhi Camp was a great experience for me, as I learned many important lessons that I am able to now share with others. Following are a small sample.

Lesson #1: Life is Like a River

Rivers are formed when rain falls on the Earth, symbolizing our birth in this world. The new rivers are identified with a name, and flow continuously representing the course of our lives. Through our physical body we spend our lives constantly moving around and trying to learn the Truth. Next, the rivers reach the ocean and join with one another, losing their form and name and become part of one bigger body. Similarly, when our body dies, our soul leaves our body and joins with God (Brahman). At that time, some of the water from the ocean evaporates into the sky, representing rebirth.

Lesson #2: Self = God (soul) + Vasanas (desires) + Body + Mind + Intellect

Our Vasanas, the Mind, and the Intellect constitute our subtle body which is different than our physical body. The soul is encircled by the subtle body and the physical body is a vehicle for the soul. Until we can rid ourselves of our Vasanas and unite with the Lord, our soul keeps moving from body to body in each rebirth.

This can be compared to computer software. The software is packaged in the CD and can perform several functions. The computer is the body for the software on the CD. When the software is installed into the computer, it is able to work and be physically viewed on the screen. The CD can also be inserted into other computers once it has been installed on the first computer. In the same way the physical body houses the soul and allows it to act and function. In rebirth, the soul travels from one body to another.

Lesson #3: Humans are Vertical Beings

All body parts of an animal, such as the head, the heart, and the stomach, are in one horizontal line. This symbolizes that all parts are of equal value. Humans have been created vertically, meaning that higher parts such as the head have greater value than the stomach. Humans are different from animals because of our intellect. The intellect gives us the ability to distinguish between good and bad, and helps us make the right choices. However, when we are unable to make the right choices, we act wildly and are not much different than animals.

What we see with our physical eyes may not always be true. What our mind’s eye tells us is generally what we should listen to. When we are on the Earth, our physical eyes perceive it as a flat surface. However, our mind’s eye knows that if we were to step out of the Earth, we would actually see it as a sphere. Similarly, once we understand who we really are, both our mind’s eye and our physical eyes will be able to see the Truth and realize that God is in everything.

Lesson #4: The Royal Secret

God lives in every single one of us. However, He is clouded by our Vasanas which makes it hard for us to see Him. Many of us cannot see God, so we question if he really resides within us. Sometimes, our mind may persuade us to believe that we control everything and we may question the existence of God.

Take the example of electricity. We cannot see electricity, but when we turn on a light bulb or a fan, we know that the electricity is present and is powering the light bulb and the fan. Similarly, we cannot see God, but we are alive and moving and thus, He is there. Just like electricity is powering the light bulb, God is powering our lives and the rest of the world.

God is the absolute Truth; He was, He is, and He will be. God, the Creator, will always be greater than His Creation. We should not let our Minds deceive us in believing that we control everything. We were created by the Lord, and He will forever take care of us and be in control of us.

Divya Vatsa is a student enrolled in the 7th grade Bala Vihar class of Chinmaya Mission, Phoenix chapter (www.chinmayaphoenix.org). Chinmaya Bala Vihar classes are conducted every Sunday at Sierra Vista Academy in Scottsdale.