Back to Retreat! Organised by Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch, the eagerly-awaited retreat welcomed over 650 children and teens to the sacred space of Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur, after a hiatus of two years. Flagged off on 14th April, this gadget-free event saw kids arriving from far and near to disconnect from the world and reconnect with themselves. SOWING SEEDS Inspired Learning The most important element of every Spiritualtouch Retreat is that of internal nourishment, which provides the rock-solid foundation for the children to build their lives on. Interactive sessions conducted by Atmarpits on the insightful yet simple Mokshmala written by the spiritual luminary Param Krupalu Dev, gave children the impetus to lead a more meaningful life. These lessons provide the essence of spirituality combined with practicality, opening the young hearts and minds to see life with a new perspective. Insightful Tours The children took tours of the recently consecrated Jinmandir, the soon-to-be-inaugurated 250-bed multi-speciality Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre, cow shelter of the Shrimad Rajchandra Jivamaitridham and women empowerment initiative Raj Uphaar. Getting wowed by these structures and institutions of spiritual and social upliftment they were inspired to live for a higher purpose. Dynamic Yoga The early morning yoga practices charged the young ones with positivity, purpose, and passion, assisting them to begin the days by first tuning to themselves. SPREADING THE BRANCHES Flashmob Participants enthusiastically swayed to energetic beats as they put together devotional dedications for their Master, while experiencing the joy of moving in perfect harmony. MasterChef Picking the required ingredients within a budget, planning scrumptious recipes, and preparing mouth-watering dishes – all while sticking to a time-limit. Truly, teens had a gala time polishing their resource-management abilities along with their culinary skills. Robotics Fixing together various components of different designs, the young ones tightened not only the screws and nuts of their robots, but also the bonds that they share with their peers. Capoeira Combining elements of dance, acrobatics, and music, this activity helped teens duel against their inner fears and inhibitions, empowering them to step out of their comfort zone while picking up a new art form. Treasure Hunt Participants discovered the treasures of communication and collaboration, while unravelling clues and completing tasks during this fun excursion. Growing through Games From human tic-tac-toe and blind dodge ball to bottle flip and laser tag, light-hearted games created a festive atmosphere while endowing teenagers with important life skills and values. STRENGTHENING THE ROOTS FEEL Programme Combining value education and environmental education, this session created awareness about environmental concerns and shed light on the virtues that need to be developed to protect Mother Nature. Participants got a glimpse of the collaborative effort between Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur and the ‘Faith for Earth Initiative’ of the United Nations Environment Programme. Magical Nights with the Divine The cultural nights in the presence of Pujya Gurudevshri were opportunities to express gratitude as well as revitalise spirits through devotional performances and dedications. The convocation ceremony of students graduating from the four-year Spiritualtouch course was also held, where the Master blessed each outgoing student with a certificate and a handwritten, personal autograph! To make this retreat a success, the volunteers worked tirelessly to plan and execute this event in a very short span of time. Of the over 200 volunteers, a significant number were members of the Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch Alumni; confirming the life-changing impact these retreats have on young minds. The Spiritualtouch Retreat 2022 was testimony to the unparalleled love of Param Krupalu Dev and Pujya Gurudevshri, as every student and volunteer experienced showers of grace fill their hearts to the brim, yet leaving them yearning for more!
