Regional Family Camp in Southwest Ontario – Amidst a quite glade in Dorchester, Ontario over 150 devotees and volunteers from across Canada’s Region 2 gathered for a weekend family retreat from July 12th – 14th, 2019. Located about 200 km west of Toronto, the retreat grounds was a long journey for the attendees, many of whom departed on Friday afternoon. After the long drive, they were refreshed with a freshly cooked meal and a rousing session of bhajans, which set the tone for the events ahead. The following days were filled with an array of physical, devotional and spiritual activities intended to rejuvenate the body, mind and intellect and to recharge the participants with spiritual energy to reflect on the theme of the retreat: WATCH (Watch your Words, Actions, Thoughts, Character and Heart). The activities included value-based games for children, yoga, meditation, performing plays, dynamic value parenting session, campfires, bhajans, study circles, a laughing therapy session, hiking, nature walks, and talks from insightful guest speakers. The early morning Suprapatham and Nagarasangeerthanam were excellently coordinated by the devotional team and brought back the loving memories of pilgrimage to Puttaparthi. The frequent bhajan sessions had kept us energized and connected to Swami. The atmosphere of the camp site allowed everyone to contemplate on Swami. It was absolutely a divine experience.

The children were reminded of the theme of the retreat in every value based activity. They were also reminded to practice five human values in their day to day life. A brief information session on the dynamic value parenting (DVP) was offered to participants to highlight the advantages of participating in the DVP workshops. This year, the participants were very lucky and treated to special addresses by three guest speakers: Ms. Shamantakamani Bhashyam, Mr. Shravan Doshi, and Mr. Arul Selvanathan. Ms. Bhashyam came to Bhagawan way back in the 1940s and was privileged to be part of the initial group of devotees who started singing bhajans in His divine physical presence. Her many compositions over seven decades with Swami include the auspicious Vibuthi Mantra. As she began to speak, she invoked: “Swami, if you’re here, give us a flower” – at that very moment, two flowers fell from the altar – reminding one and all, of Swami’s eternal divine presence. Brothers Shravan and Arul are Alumni of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and were blessed with the good fortune of studying at Swami’s Lotus Feet. They shared their wonderful experience at Swami’s school and addressed lovingly each and every question asked by the attendees. The participants felt that the guest speakers brought the presence of Swami and He has chosen His words to be spoken through them. Their thoughtful and heart warming messages have uplifted the participants’ spiritual journey. All felt the energy of love during the three days and enjoyed the freshly cooked delicious meals prepared on site by Sai brothers and sisters. The retreat left all the participants, volunteers and guests alike, with a renewed sense of spirituality, and in the words of one attendee, “can’t wait for next year”.