Sadhna Camp Panama 2004

It was a dream come true for the people of Panama, who for the past several years had been urging Dada to conduct a Sadhna camp in their country. At last their love and longing was fulfilled this year. The camp was arranged at Hotel ‘Melia Panama Canal’, a magnificent hotel with scenic lake-side surroundings. A huge portrait of Dada J.P.Vaswani with his hands outstretched stood at the entrance of the Satsang Hall, as if beckoning every participant of the camp ‘Come unto me all those who suffer and toil and I shall give you rest’.

The spacious Hall was tastefully decorated with cream and white draperies and bunches of white and gold balloons hanging from the ceilings, lending it an ethereal look. Pictures of rare beauty picked from the archives of Sadhu T.L.Vaswani and inspiring thoughts of Dada J.P.Vaswani were displayed on the walls of the Satsang Hall. This filled the Hall with the holy vibrations.

After checking in the hotel every one entered the Hall. At the altar was the beautiful portrait of Sadhu T.L.Vaswani with his one finger upraised as if asking the participants ?Do you wish to experience Peace and Bliss, Come and take a dip in the Ganges of this Sadhna Camp?. The moment Dada entered the hall, a hush descended. Dada was all glowing, a warm smile on his lips. After offering his homage to his master, he inaugurated the camp with kindling the AkhandJyot.

Ashok Buxani one of the organiser of the camp greeted Dada and said that he felt that the entire Hall was suffused with a light not from the sun, moon, or the stars but because of the radiant presence of Dada. Every one in the Hall applauded heartily in affirmation to this remark.

The program started with Kirtan followed by the discourse of Sadhu T.L.Vaswani and Dadaji. Dada told the participants to follow the rules diligently to receive maximum benefit from the camp. As per the law of spiritual life you would get from the camp as much as you put in it. In his discourse Dada exhorted the participants to realize the value and worth of the human birth. The goal of life is union with God, we spend much time in chasing the shadow shapes, but we have no time for God. He urged them to make God real in their lives. Set apart some time to have loving conversation with God. Dada gave in a couplet a motto for the Sadhna Camp at the end of his discourse, which was immediately set to tune and was sung at the end of every session:

“Lord, grant us the supreme gift, the gift of love and longing for your lotus feet “

The evening started with Kirtan and then the Question Answer session. This was the great opportunity for all those who could not gain a private audience with Dada. They poured out their doubts and difficulties and sought his guidance. Dada in his characteristic way listened to their questions patiently and resolved their doubts.

Next programme was “Spiritual Bingo” Each participant was provided with a card where instead of numbers were written names of Gods and goddesses. Every time a name was called, the participants sang in chorus a song or a bhajan corresponding to that God. In short every opportunity was utilized singing the name of the Lord.

A Camp fire was arranged after dinner where Bhajan Antakshari took place amongst the singer participants. They were formed into four teams named Anjali,Mira, Nuri and Shanit. They represented Belize, Colon. Panama and the U.S.A. The Nuri team of Belize won the contest. Bhajan Antakshari was followed by ?Garbas? Tiny tots dressed in costumes the world, depicted the message “Children of the Earth, ye all are one”. Another item was performed by the young girls.

Next morning the programme started with kindling of Havan, Chanting of Mantras, Sadhu Vaswani’s discourse and guided meditation. Every one felt full of Peace and Bliss. After the breakfast was the programme of the Walk-a-Thon. Special T Shirts were distributed amongst the participants. Young and old donned their T Shirts and joined the walk-a-thon. One participant was the member of the ISKCON group. He walked carrying a Mridunga i.e. a musical instrument resembling an oval drum. Beating the Mridunga to the tune of Maha- Mantra “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna , Krishna Krishna Hare Hare” He walked the entire route of walk- a thon,.inspiring many to sing the name of the Lord as they moved from one check post to the other. Dadaji too joined the walk- a-thon accompanied by a number of participants.

The evening session had Rooh Rihan and Question answer session. This session the participants looked forward eagerly. They had beautiful interaction with Dada. A cultural programme was arranged after dinner. Little ones enacted a scene from the Indian history about the freedom movement. Tiny Gandhi & Nehru captivated the hearts of every one. The entire audience cheered the actors “Once More, Once More” and so the skit was performed a second time. One more skit by little ones depicted how attachment to worldly things would lead us astray from the path of devotion and self realization. Another skit named ?Jackpot’ was put up by the youths. They conveyed the message how Sadhna Camp had transformed their vision. Youths who spent their weekends at Discos and Casinos could be veered away from such vices if such camps became the week end programmes. Such response from the youths was very touching.

That very night after the session every participant received Prasad from the holy hands of Dada, a CD called ‘ Mission with a Vision’, and another CD called ‘Guided meditation’, a packet of dry fruit, along with a souvenir of the camp.

The final day as usual began with the Havan, Vachan and Sadhu Vaswani’s discourse, followed by the narration of experiences at Sadhna Camp. Most of them were touched to tears at the very thought that the camp was coming to an end. They requested Dada to arrange for such camps more often.

Some participants were so moved by the words of Dada that they promised to be vegetarian all their lives. Their gesture was so touching that six persons offered to donate $1000.00 each on their behalf to Sadhu Vaswani Mission Pune, to be utilized for good causes. and inspire others to follow their path. Dada himself paid $10 towards each newly turned vegetarian. A little child Narottam, son of Haresh Parwani of Curacao, was so moved that he offered $10 towards such participants from his pocket money. In all 21 members turned vegetarian.

Someone from the audience asked Dada to give at least $1 to all the participants who were already vegetarians, to remain steadfast in their resolve. To which Dada readily agreed. After all the vegetarian participants had received their reward, Dada said that to his heart were dear all the participants vegetarians and non vegetarians. He invited the remaining participants to receive $1 from his holy hands. Suddenly there was so much of jubilation and cheering that people forgot for a while that they were in the Sadhna camp.

Two and a half days passed quickly. The participants were sore to return home to daily grind. Some of the participants after the camp fell at Dada’s feet and wept like children and said that Dada was leaving behind a vacuum in their hearts and that they would miss the heavenly atmosphere of the Sadhna Camp in their life.