July 26th
Day 3: Day of Firsts
My name is Tapaswini Bhavanam and I was a participant in the 2023 Giggling Geckos Summer Camp. I am from Dallas, Texas and am 18 years old.
As I made my way downstairs to freshen up, I was captivated by the sight of Baba's profile adorned with a pearl statue through the intricately carved walls of the mandir. I stood there, taking in the beauty and feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and fortune to be in Haritachala, surrounded by Baba, Guruji, nine incredible girls like me, Sruti Akka, Ammamma, and the dedicated volunteers. Stepping into the Mandir, I felt an even deeper connection to Baba and Guruji than before. The vibrations enveloped me, filling me with awe. Today, I had the extraordinary opportunity to accompany Geetika in drying Baba, a surreal experience. Being so close to Baba and bathing him was beyond words; his feet felt so tangible as if he were right there with us!
Fresh Start to the Day
The serene silence of nature seeping through the mesh windows and the gentle breeze made me think, "I could get used to mornings like these!". It was our second morning at Haritachala, and I couldn't be more thrilled about the day's adventures that awaited us. After a full day of immersing ourselves in the wonders of Haritachala and watching the thought-provoking documentary The Social Dilemma, I was filled with eager anticipation for what the new day had in store. Armed with the lessons from the previous day, I woke up earlier, determined to start my day with peace and productivity.
This sparked a cascade of innovative thoughts for Hasita and Tanvi's future multicultural cafe/bakery, where sustainability would be at the forefront. Our farm walk also enlightened us about seasonal, annual, and perennial plants. We learned that consuming perennials, which regrow and live for an extended period, is not only healthier but also more sustainable than other plant varieties. If there was one invaluable lesson we imbibed from our farm walks, it was that "the sweetest fruit grows in the harshest conditions" (Sruti Akka). Keertana captured a video of me saying Vaada Narayani, a remedy for joint pain I had been experiencing lately. We also delved into the wonders of the noni plant, discovering its benefits and unraveling the stories woven into Haritachala's history. After this enlightening farm walk, we made our way to the kitchen for breakfast, where Ammamma surprised us with her unique creation: masala idlis!
Our First Farm Walk
After savoring our blue pea tea, Sruti Akka led us on our first farm walk at Haritachala. We Geckos often playfully remarked how we learn so much more at Haritachala than at home, and the farm walk was a vivid reminder of the truth in that statement. As we strolled through the lush green fields, Sruti Akka shared profound insights into the significance of each plant at Haritachala. Every element within this sacred space had a purpose, and as the days unfolded, we rediscovered this truth in every part of our camp experience. We even discovered that papaya stems, hollow on the inside, could be used as straws!
I was brimming with excitement for aloo, which happens to be one of my all-time favorite curries, and the thought of savoring Ammamma's version made my taste buds dance in anticipation. The combination of flavors, the mint chutney perfectly complementing the idlis, was a culinary delight. We lingered in the kitchen, relishing not only the delicious food but also the privilege of listening to Ammamma's captivating stories. We gathered around her, like eager baby birds waiting to be nourished, as she shared tales of saints such as Gnaneshwar Maharaj, bringing to life the enchanting world of Vitoba and Neeru Bai.
Painting in GTR
Following our tasty breakfast, the Geckos embarked on our ambitious painting journey. Together, we unleashed our creativity, pouring our hearts into designing each wall and door. This group of girls was a blend of overachievers and perfectionists, which proved both challenging and rewarding, especially given our tight time frame. Little did we know that these paintings in GTR would become a labor of love spanning over four days. However, during this endeavor, we formed deep bonds with one another, discovering kindred spirits within the group. Keertana and I, collaborating on the depiction of Mount Shasta, found common ground as we realized our shared tendency to overthink. Sphurana was helping us most of the time and gave us some good tips. Her intelligence left us in awe. When we mentioned adding deer to our artwork, she gently corrected us, explaining that moose, not deer, have antlers.
Sphurana's wisdom and guidance became a beacon throughout the camp, shaping our artistic endeavors. After an eventful morning, we reconvened in the kitchen for a sumptuous lunch, where Ammamma incorporated the noni fruits we had harvested earlier into the sambar. Witnessing what we had learned during the farm walk manifest in our daily meals filled me with a deep sense of love and care from Ammamma. Her presence and attention made me feel nurtured and cherished. With our bellies full, we returned to GTR, ready to dedicate the rest of our time to painting. Keertana and I added trees to our artwork, feeling proud, until Uday Anna playfully remarked that we had "phasaked" it - a term that became an endearing part of our vocabulary for the remainder of the camp.
Cycling Expedition
With our spirits soaring, we set off on our bikes, and while I found myself towards the back due to the brisk pace set by Manmohan Uncle, I relished the knowledge that the support car would always be there, regardless of our speed. At that moment, I felt a wave of emotions, and as I took a break, feeling overwhelmed, I asked Sweety Akka to check if my heartbeat was normal. Witnessing this, Sruti Akka approached, concerned, and suddenly, tears welled up in my eyes. Akka reassured me, emphasizing the importance to not push myself beyond my limits and encouraging me to take some rest. I sat in the car, accompanied by Hasita, Dharani, Murali Uncle, and Pradeep Uncle, as Jahu Akka took over cycling on my behalf. Halfway through the trail, we paused at a rock offering breathtaking views of Arunachala, seizing the moment for an impromptu photoshoot. Uday Anna captured countless joyful pictures of us, frozen in time as we leaped and reveled in the sheer joy of the experience. I grew to love these photographs, as they captured the boundless love and freedom that enveloped me throughout the camp. Energized by this interlude, I regained my confidence and decided to ride my bike back, requesting Jahu Akka to switch again. Though I remained at a leisurely pace towards the back, it felt so nice to peddle my way back, embracing the wind in my face and the exhilaration of the open road. As I rode, I couldn't help but feel a sense of empowerment. This time, I could take in the beauty and rawness of the villages and the locals. When biking back, it was already getting dark, so we saw the gorgeous sunset as a backdrop of the fields. The support and encouragement from my fellow Geckos uplifted my spirits, reminding me that I was capable of so much more than I imagined.
End of the Day
As we all arrived back at Haritachala, we headed to the kitchen for our last meal of the day together. We had tasty Marathi lentil curry with chapati, lemon, and onion. It was so good with the lemon! The perugu annam was nice and cold for the first time, and all the Geckos fell in love with it. We celebrated our cycling expedition with laughter and joy, relishing the memories we had created together. After dinner, we went to arati, where I felt so grateful to be with people I love, doing things out of my comfort zone in such a safe space. There were so many instances throughout the day where I felt immense gratitude, so I was so excited to share at the Gratitude Circle. The Gratitude Circle was my favorite part of every day. I’m not much of an expressive person and tend to overthink every situation I’m put in, and being in Haritachala has eased me of that painful part of my subconscious. The Geckos sat in a cozy semicirlce around the bonfire with the aunties on one side and the uncles on the other. I shared that I was grateful for having the opportunity to dry Baba for the first time. I was also so grateful for being able to be myself without feeling like I was being judged at camp. Today was a reminder that when we push ourselves beyond our limits, we discover new strengths and unlock our boundless potential.
Late Night Talks
After the circle, a few girls asked Sruti Akka a question that led to a 2 hour, unexpectedly insightful conversation. We discussed how there are a few chapters in Sai Bhakti Sadhana Rahasyam that would be more applicable to our lives, like the Food and Sleep ones, which slowly shifted to how the Gurubandhu family has a connection like no other. We all then discovered that we were having some stomach issues, and Akka called Dr. Vinay garu/anna to see how he could help us. I was so appreciative of the amount of love and affection Akka had for us. She took immediate action after we told her about it, which made me feel well cared for. The conversation then shifted to solo traveling, and one tip that Akka gave us is always to have a sheet of paper consisting of important information on us at all times in case we lose a form of communication or are found in any unsafe situation. Then, we discussed the topic that intrigued me the most: religion vs. spirituality. This topic has come up many times in our weekly Satsang calls, but I still hadn’t had clarity on it till this moment with Sruti Akka. Our definition of spirituality: The belief in the human potential to experience something beyond the mind and senses’ capacity. Baba is beyond religion; us, gurubandhus, are on a spiritual path to bliss. Sruti Akka led us in a soul-stirring conversation, filling the air with the vibrations of devotion and love. At that moment, I felt profound gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a transformative experience. The day had been filled with countless moments of inspiration, connection, and growth. It was a testament to the power of community, the beauty of nature, and the boundless potential within each of us. As I closed my eyes that night, I carried a renewed sense of purpose and a deep appreciation for the magic that unfolded at Haritachala.