July 30th

Day 7: Journey of Unity

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

Missing the Alarm

"Guys, it's 5:45!", I heard one of the Geckos scream, jolting me from my slumber. "It is WHAT?!?!?!" The Geckos responded with a chorus of panicked voices, the fear of being late for our temple visit instantly enveloping us. We hurried into the bathrooms, bracing ourselves for the shock of the ice-cold showers that awaited us. Amidst the chill, Dharani's soothing song filled the air, and our collective laughter managed to thaw the frigid morning. I dashed to the kitchen to prepare the customary butterfly blue pea tea, our morning ritual. Time was of the essence, and the urgency in the air was palpable as we all rushed to the temple. 

No matter how many people might have been present, it would still have felt like it was just us three. Baba's smile, illuminated by the soft, golden light, grew even more radiant, as if in response to the first light of day. The reflections from each panel behind the vigraham seemed to dance and come to life, as though the very essence of Baba was flowing into the room, filling it with an otherworldly presence. I was completely captivated and awestruck, pure happiness and joy welled up within me, and tears filled my eyes. Baba's radiant smile had a transformative power, making me feel an overwhelming sense of contentment and inner peace. It was a moment of profound connection, where time and space seemed to blur, and I knew that I was in the presence of something truly divine.

Calmness of the Temple

As I stepped into the temple's serene surroundings, everything around me seemed to freeze. A sense of awe washed over me, and it was as if time stood still. I couldn't help but tear up as my eyes kept a consistent gaze with Sai Baba's serene expression. What truly made this moment magical was the sun, slowly ascending in the sky, casting its warm, golden glow upon the vigraham, and Foxy’s head in my lap. The world seemed to hold its breath in anticipation of the day's awakening. In those precious moments, it felt as though it was just me, Foxy, and Baba.

Coconut Weaving

After our temple visit, we gathered with Lavanya Auntie and Kavitha Auntie, who introduced us to the art of weaving coconut leaves. They demonstrated how to create beautiful designs, including flowers, stars, and more. Initially, we struggled with the technique, but with guidance and a lot of laughter, we quickly got the hang of it. The atmosphere was filled with chatter and joy as we worked. We decided to make a bouquet of coconut leaf flowers for Baba and Guruji, intending to place it in the mandir as a token of our love and devotion. Throughout the weaving session, we sang Sai Baba's namans in different tunes, inspired by Kavitha Auntie's mesmerizing melodies and her skillful playing of the Dappu (snare drum). This inspired many of us to express a desire to learn how to play the Dappu in the future. The weaving experience was not only fun but also deeply enriching, bringing us closer together and enhancing our connection to Baba and Guruji through our shared creativity and music.

They found solace within Haritachala. They spoke eloquently of this place as their sanctuary, a safe haven from the outside world where they felt safe and content, forging deep and lasting friendships with their fellow workers. Manmohan Uncle and Sruti Akka had taken steps to make a difference in their lives. They have provided them with life insurance, ensuring a safety net for them and their families. Additionally, they had taken the initiative to enroll their children in a private school, recognizing the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty. During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic when schools were closed, Haritachala had stepped up. Manmohan Uncle had conducted educational sessions for the children and even sweetened the deal with candy, making learning both fun and accessible. Their willingness to open up and trust us with their experiences was truly humbling. Hearing about Karthika and Jeeva Akka's hardships was heartbreaking, but it was also profoundly inspiring to witness the support and care that Haritachala was providing them. It was a testament to the power of compassion and community, offering hope that they were on the path to a better life, one where their smiles would not be marred by suffering but radiate with genuine happiness and fulfillment. We expressed our heartfelt gratitude to both Karthika and Jeeva Akka for sharing their stories with us. We also extended our thanks to Manmohan Uncle, who had selflessly served as our translator, bridging the language gap since they spoke Tamil.

Interviewing the Workers

Later that day, Sruti Akka and Manmohan Uncle arranged a meeting with Karthika and Jeeva Akka, two dedicated workers at Haritachala. As they began to share their stories, a profound sense of sadness washed over us all. Both Karthika and Jeeva Akka had endured unimaginable hardships, suffering abuse from their husbands who saw them as mere "money machines." Despite working on a farm that paid slightly better than others, their wages remained insufficient to break free from the cycle of hardship and violence. What was truly remarkable, however, was their unwavering resilience and kindness. Despite the physical and emotional scars they carried, they arrived at work each day with smiles on their faces, their determination shining through.

Heart Touching Stories of Guruji

After a while, Sruti Akka began to share heartfelt stories about her relationship with Guruji. She spoke of the funny and endearing experiences she had with him, highlighting the deep bond they shared. It was evident in her words how Guruji had always been a pillar of support and guidance in her life. Sruti Akka's stories painted a beautiful picture of the profound connection she had with Guruji, portraying him not only as a spiritual mentor but also as an incredible and loving father figure. She said, “He wasn't just my dad; he was my best friend," Sruti Akka's words struck a chord with each of us. We looked around at one another, tears brimming in our eyes, and it became impossible to hold them back any longer. Our collective gaze landed on Anshu, and it seemed like her presence ignited even more tears from all of us.

The floodgates opened, and we found ourselves in a shared pool of tears, the raw emotions washing over us. Hasi, who had somehow managed not to cry, came around and provided tissues for everyone in our moment of need, which all made us laugh. We huddled together in a heartfelt group hug, it was a moment of profound connection. In that embrace, we found comfort and strength, reminding us of the close bond that had formed within our Geckos and how we could lean on one another.

Surprise for the Volunteers

Before we knew it, time had whisked away the hours, and today was the day we had planned to surprise the aunties with a heartfelt dinner prepared by the Geckos. It was our way of expressing our gratitude for their tireless dedication in creating the most delicious meals day in and day out. We hustled to the kitchen, each of us channeling our inner Ratatouille chefs, ready to tackle the task of crafting homemade Pani Pooris and Payasam. We couldn't have done it without Keerti and Hasi, who had not only provided us with the recipes but also assigned each of us a specific role in the culinary adventure. While I was focused on frying the Pooris, a small, unexpected gift fell from above, landing first on my pants and then making its way onto the pita I was sitting on. It was a piece of balli poop, and as I looked up, I spotted a small balli with its tail raised, seemingly proud of its contribution. My initial shock turned into laughter, and I couldn't help but share the amusing incident with everyone.

Our laughter quickly became infectious, filling the kitchen with pure joy. After several hours of teamwork in the kitchen, we had crafted a masterpiece. Sruti akka summoned all the aunties, and their surprised expressions warmed our hearts. We all sat down to enjoy the meal, sharing not only delicious food but also laughter and stories about the unexpected pita poop incident. Even Sruti akka couldn't hold back her laughter. Suddenly, out of the blue, Dharani let out a squeal of surprise. She had received a similar "gift" from our Balli friend, adding another layer of humor to our evening. Our laughter reached new heights, making it a truly unforgettable and joyous occasion. By the time we had served the aunties and Uncles/Annas, it was time for the evening arati.

We all participated, and upon our return, we continued to savor our meal while simultaneously sharing our feelings of gratitude in a circle. To express our appreciation, we gifted the aunties delicate flowers made from coconut leaves. Their eyes welled up with tears of gratitude, and it was a profoundly touching moment. Before we all retreated to our rooms to get some much needed sleep, we waited until the Uncles and Annas had left, and then it was time for our nightly, oh so important ritual; the "shaky shaky" dance. Led by the exuberant Tanvi, it concluded with an explosion of laughter that left everyone's spirits lifted and hearts warmed. It reinforced the circle of love and appreciation that bound us all together in a beautiful tapestry of community and care.

Me and Akka Talk

Afterward, everyone returned to their rooms to get some rest, but Sruti Akka and I sat outside of GTR and talked. I poured out my heart, sharing the problems that had been weighing me down. She patiently listened and talked me through each one, offering guidance and wisdom. While she didn't necessarily provide concrete answers, her words and insights made me feel infinitely better. During our conversation, she shared more about Guruji and imparted some profound teachings that left me feeling truly uplifted. The emotional release was overwhelming, and I found myself shedding tears, a lot of them.

This experience underscored the incredible sense of community at Haritachala, both before and after Guruji took samadhi. I felt immeasurable gratitude for the conversation I had with Akka, as she showed me the path towards living for the greater good.

During our conversation, Akka helped me realize that when I felt foolish, she saw me as brave. When I was at my lowest, she lifted me to be my best self. Akka wisely said, "Other people's problems and your problems hold equal importance. What you are going through is not trivial just because others are facing different challenges. Don't diminish the importance of your own struggles." Her words grounded me in the present moment, and I confessed that I had never felt so connected to Baba and Guruji before. I emphasized how the aunties, uncles, akkas, and annas have helped me see myself for who I truly was.

Akka also shared stories of Haritachala’s early days and the numerous challenges it faced, including container farming and the difficulties of organizing full moon satsangs. We even delved into the idea of my potential tattoo.

As the clock struck 12:30, we wished Tanvi a happy birthday and I bid Akka goodnight, retiring to my room to record this transformative conversation. Unexpectedly, at 1:00, Akka arrived to deliver my Homeopathy medicine, sealing this memorable day with an extra touch of care and kindness.