Swami Swatmanandaji conducted Bhagawad Geeta Course (Chinmaya International Foundation CIF) in Chinmaya Prakash Zone. Classes were held on Mondays, 7 to 8:30 pm at Juhu Jagruti Hall. Subsequently during the course, the classes were also made available live online, webinar, so participants had the option of attending either in person at the venue or sitting at home on webinar. 172 participants had enrolled, out of which 75 got certificates by completing all evaluations. However, there were many others who actually completed the course by regularly attending (but could not give all evaluations, due to age and other factors). Recordings of all the sessions were uploaded on to a shared drive and were made available to all. Despite Swamiji’s hectic and busy schedule, wherein he conducted numerous other talks and residential camps, the regularity of the classes and the schedules were not hampered, as Swamiji made up for his physical absence at times by conducting webinar sessions, from wherever he was. The centre is deeply indebted to him, for his untiring efforts and for his motivational commitment to a cause.
Swamiji’s talks were supported by detailed, comprehensive power point presentation slides, painstakingly researched and sorted out motivational videos, recordings and clips of Pujya Gurudev’s talks on the Geeta all together kept the students and participants spell bound through-out the duration of the course. Everyone had a great learning, growing, rising and evolving experience.
Before the ceremony, an optional visit to Chinmaya Pradeep was organized, giving the opportunity to all the participants with their family members and friends, to see the wonders of this beautiful Vedantic Park.
Swamiji took the concluding class, when Geeta Mahatmya and Geeta Dhyana slokas were chanted. Thereafter, as an expression of gratitude to Guru Parampara, Paduka Puja of Pujya Gurudev was performed, followed by Chinmaya and Geeta aarti. Participants from representative groups took the opportunity to give their feedback on their experiences during the course. They shared their memories, learning and take-away and a deep sense of gratitude from this motivating, inspiring and divine course. This was followed by certificate and prasad distribution and group photo.
Pujya Gurudev’s presence was palpable. One could feel He was present to witness what was closest to His heart – the sharing and spreading of the wonderful teachings of the scriptures, particularly Geeta. With Sri Krishna’s blessings, Gurudev’s grace and the very simply explained, inspiring talks and lectures by Swami Swatmanandaji, the Geeta course was completed. The course truly encompassed within itself more inspired seekers, eager to continue and learn and live the Geeta way. Their journey had just begun.