Main Page for Events 05 Gents Retreat

Programme below was enough to make 23 men leave home for the weekend, away from their family & friends, to join like-minded gentlemen at Beaumanor Hall. This was the Second Gents Retreat, ably organised by Morarbhai & Bipinbhai.

Men couldn't leave their home soon enough - everyone was in good time, in fact very good time, and we were able to start the Bhajans at exactly 9:45 after Registration and early morning tea & cookies (all made by the gents by the way).

And then it was time for Yoga - the Guru is very good. Dilipbhai, Dhirubhai and Jagubhai have had some sessions and all commented that they had benefited greatly from attending the sessions. The Guru started with some basic 'moves', and then progressed into more advanced 'moves'. He showed us some extremely advanced moves which only very experienced Yogi can accomplish.

Straight after lunch, we all joined in study circle - 'Life is a Spiritual Journey'. We were split into small teams to discuss our own experiences of spiritual journey we have all embarked on. It was refreshing to listen to so many different ways in which Swami has come into our lives, to guide us and to direct us in the right path.

The Treasure Hunt was greatly enjoyed by everyone, it was challenging based around spiritual clues, yet not too difficult if working as a team. Two teams were formed for the hunt, and as only one team was allowed at a time, the other team engaged themselves in game of Suduko (this is a number game, originated in Japan. The aim of the Suduko puzzle is to enter a number from 1 through 9 in each cell of a grid, most frequently a 9×9 grid made up of 3×3 sub grids. The bottom line : the number should appear only once on row, column or sub grid.)

BBQ was good fun, to relax and to enjoy barbequed food - vegetable sausages, vegetable burgers, mogo, vegetable roast & corn on the cob. Our guests - Arvindbhai & Maheshbhai Narayan - joined us. Everyone took the opportunity to find time to get to know each other and to listen to Maheshbhai relating his experiences of Swami. There were lots of discussions going on whilst enjoying the barbequed food and drinking the Fruit Punch.

We then had a talk by Maheshbhai on his experiences of Swami, particularly in relation to service. His main messages were -

" Don't miss opportunity to do something. Time limit for doing good - and that time is now! "

" Do Sewa of need, not of convenience "

" Do whatever you do with love - we are all ambassadors of Swami "

" Do our duty with love - reveal the divinity that is in all of us "

" Recite 3 Gayatri mantras before starting any journey "

" It is good to write letters to Swami - use simple language - be simple & sincere "

Maheshbhai ended his talk by encouraging everyone to participate in sewa activities. He suggested some ideas that this group - Gents Retreat - should think about doing something collectively to help someone less fortunate than us.

There was then a presentation by Vinodbhai of the recent Medical Camp in Sri Lanka. The main message from that was that anyone is capable, and able to, join a medical camp. There are various activities involved in which anyone can help. Take every opportunity to join in when presented with this sewa activity.

The evening ended with musical entertainment provided by Satishbhai - excellent end to the day.

Very early start on Sunday morning, with meditation, Bhajans & exercises - everyone got ready for the warm up exercises, ably conducted by Dilipbhai. Then a jog around the fields and back for some more exercise - all before breakfast!

Breakfast was very welcome after the exercises - enjoyed more than would have been had we not joined in the exercises, I'm sure!

Then straight into team building workshop, run by Morarbhai, Bipinbhai & Vinodbhai C. The bridge building test was particularly entertaining, not least because everyone was very keen to throw in their ideas on how best to build it! (The best team won - pure skill & no luck - pure genius material - yes you've guessed it - it was my team that won it!)

Vinodbhai B gave a very good demonstration of how to make a healthy dish - stir fry vegetables. So go on Gents - try it at home. Vinodbhai's your man if you want the recipe!

We then all helped with preparing the lunch, and following a hearty lunch, we joined in the Cricket Match. Again the best team won! Mine of course!

It was soon to pack up to go home - it didn't seem long at all since we had our first cup of tea after registration! Didn't seem long at all!

Comments as we left were that this should become an annual event - take note Morarbhai & Bipinbhai!

Sai Ram.

Programme for the Weekend

Saturday 2^nd July

9.30 - 9.45 Registration & Arrival Tea

9.45 - 10.45 Bhajans, Arti

11.00- 12.30 Yoga

12.30 - 13.30 Lunch - please bring your pack lunch, we can share amongst each other

13.30 - 14.20 Study Circle (Topic - Spiritual Journey)

14.20- 15.20 Treasure Hunt

15.30- 19.00 BBQ

19.00 - 19.40 Guest Speaker on Swami's experience

19:40 - 20.10 Medical Camp - Sri Lanka

20:10- 21.10 Entertainment

21:10- 21.40 Bhajans, Arti

21.40 Bedtime

Sunday 3^rd July

6.00 - 7.00 Meditation, Bhajans & Arti

7.00 – 8.00 Jogging and Soham

8.00 – 9.00 Breakfast

9.00 - 10.00 Team Building Exercises

10.00 -10.30 Tea Break

10.30 - 11.00 Cooking preparation lesson

12.00 -13.00 Lunch

13.00 -15.00 Sports

15.00 - 15.40 Bhajans, Arti

15.40 Depart

Photographs ( x in total) - to be added