July 28th

Day 5: Nature & Connection

Hi my name is Geetika and I was a member of 2023 Giggling Geckos Summer Camp! I am 16 years old and I am from Loudoun County, Virginia.

Brewing Blue Tea and Morning Temple Time

Today began like any other day in our little heaven at Haritachala. I was awakened by the sound of the Geckos scurrying around the suitcases, each choosing their kurtas for the day. After our cold refreshing showers, we all made our way to the Mandir, except for Pravs akka (my elder sister) and me. Our morning routine was to brew butterfly blue pea tea for the rest of the Geckos. As I walked to the kitchen, nature greeted me with its serene symphony, the melodious birdsong and the rhythmic dance of bamboo in the gentle breeze. In the kitchen, I prepared the butterfly blue pea tea, while my sister lit the deepam in front of Baba and Guruji. Then, it was time for morning satsang at the temple, a place that had become a second home, offering us spiritual solace and a sense of connection. Singing and clapping along to the arati with the other Geckos filled me with immense comfort and joy.

Tea

After the arati, I stayed behind with a cup of tea to offer to the elderly gentleman who visited the temple every day. Our conversation was a heartwarming exchange about how Sai Baba and Guruji had helped him discover the beauty in nature. His parting blessing left me with a warm feeling, and I re-entered the bubble of Haritachala. All the Geckos gathered in front of GTR, sipping our blue tea, and bombarded Sruti akka with questions. One question that was on all our minds was how to maintain unwavering focus on Baba, let alone on anything. Akka's answer was simple, yet so captivating. Akka simply said, “When your mind wanders, gently bring it back without judging or scolding yourself”.

Climbing out of the well, we sat on its border while akka shared insights about the water levels, mentioning that it was not as abundant as before. Resuming our farm walk, akka pointed out a variety of beautiful plants, including one with fruits resembling mini passion fruits but with a taste that differed their appearance. Akka introduced us to a fascinating plant known as the Balloon Vine. We eagerly plucked the fruit, and with gleeful anticipation, we playfully pressed them against our heads, savoring the satisfying "pop" they made. While I delicately opened one of the petite balloon-like fruits, my gaze was immediately drawn to the intriguing seed it concealed. To my amazement, the seed was black with a white heart at its core. Excited, I promptly shared this mesmerizing find with my fellow Geckos.

Jamun Tree Story 

Akka also told us a story about how for 15 long years, a Jamun tree remained fruitless, and it was called useless by some. However, Sruti akka's unwavering care for the tree remained constant, and the tree eventually filled up with a bountiful crop of delicious Jamun fruits. This heartwarming story served as a powerful reminder that love and compassion have the incredible ability to awaken even the dormant aspects of life, a lesson that resonated deeply with all of us.

Gurujis Flame

On our farm walk, we passed by perennial cotton plants, right behind GTR. Akka enlightened us that the deepam in front of Guruji in the mandir is all natural. The metal is eco-friendly and reusable, the cotton is grown and picked right here in Haritachala, we even had the opportunity to hand pick some cotton. Furthermore, the venna, used for the flame, is sourced from the Guru Bandhus, who raise cows and convert their milk into curd to supply to the temple. It's a fascinating blend of nature and tradition that adds a unique touch to the whole experience.

Breakfast

Following our enlightening farm walk, we enjoyed a delightful home cooked breakfast prepared by Ammamma and the aunties. Laughter and conversation flowed as we savored every bite and sipped on malt made by Sridevi Auntie and Malini Auntie.The Geckos filled the air with songs of gratitude before retiring to our rooms for personal time.

Personal Time

While some Geckos headed to GTR to work on their wall paintings, I stayed back in my room, recording Sruti akka's wisdom in my Sruti Akka Talks chapter of my journal. Later, I took a peaceful stroll through the back of GTR, observing staff harvesting blue pea flowers, for my morning tea, along with other fruits and leaves.

Wall Paintings

Sruti akka presented us with an ambitious project, painting the walls encircling each room within GTR with imagery inspired by five sacred mountains around the world, one mountain for each room. Alongside my creative comrades Hasita and Namita, I were engaged in painting elegant cranes and a beautiful waterfall, our brushes dancing harmoniously amidst the lively chatter and artistic enthusiasm of the Geckos, and Keertana’s contagious singing. The presence of Sruti akka and Manmohan Uncle, as they marveled at our evolving painings, infused us with an overwhelming sense of joy and pride, despite the still-unfinished and very chaotic appearances of many walls.

Edible Flower Spring Rolls

Our day continued with a unique and delightful experience as Akka led us on a walk to pick out edible flowers for our Vitamese spring rolls filled with ramen noodles, which we intended to use to decorate these culinary delights. We strolled amidst the vibrant colors of the garden, the rainbow of flowers we gathered added not only a visual appeal but also a touch of nature's beauty to our culinary adventure. On our way back to GTR, we couldn't help but pause to admire the construction/renovation progress of Guruji's Library. Sruti akka shared her vision of the constructed library with us. She expressed her desire for the library to be an open sanctuary, a place where anyone could come, select books of their choice, find a cozy spot to read, and engage in quiet study. The prospect of spending time in Guruji's Library, surrounded by wisdom and knowledge, filled us with eager anticipation.

Returning to GTR, our enthusiasm was infectious as we eagerly embarked on the creative task of designing our spring rolls. Laughter echoed through GTR, and our smiles were as bright as the flowers we had gathered. The atmosphere was joyous and carefree, a testament to the sense of companionship that had become the essence of our Geckos group. Uday Anna joined the festivities, capturing candid moments of our laughter and friendship with his camera. As we playfully sneaked bites of ramen and exchanged stories, GTR became alive with the spirit of creativity and togetherness. Each spring roll we crafted was not only delicious but also a work of art, a reflection of our shared experiences and the beauty of our surroundings.

Rooftop Sunset

As the day gracefully concluded, we gathered on the rooftop to witness the sun set behind a mountain. The sky was a masterpiece of nature, painted with hues that defied words, a rich palette of fiery reds, warm oranges, and soothing purples that gradually gave way to a deep indigo. The setting sun bathed the landscape in a golden embrace, casting long, dramatic shadows over the rugged silhouettes of the mountains. The entire scene was a symphony of colors and contrasts, a sight that felt almost otherworldly in its beauty, leaving us in profound awe. It was a moment when time seemed to stand still, and we were all captivated by the breathtaking beauty of the sunset, etching this memory deep into our hearts.

This day, filled with laughter, shared moments, and creative expression, reminded us once again of the profound connection we had forged with Haritachala and with each other. It was a day etched in our hearts, a testament to the magic that happened when a group of kindred spirits came together in a place that nurtured the soul and ignited the spirit of joy and discovery.