Introduction:
In an effort to imbibe samarpan-bhavana in the lives of
all of our kishores and kishoris, sanchalaks and sanchalikas
from across the nation gathered in Houston, TX for a 3-day
shibir beginning on June 21, 2003. Upon arriving, sanchalaks/sanchalikas
proceeded to the Yogi Youth center where Houston volunteers
facilitated the registration process and handed everyone
their organized workbooks for each of the classrooms and
workshops.
Mukhpath:
As per Dr. Swami's wishes and Yogiji Maharaj's ruchi, all
karyakars performed mukhpãth as a part of their registration
activity. This year's mukhpãth was organized to prepare
karyakars so that they would be able to conduct an entire
sabha without any preparation. Mukhpãth consisted
of dhoon, praarthana, kirtan, Vachnamrut Loya-3, prasangs,
and Swami ni Vato. The test consisted of both an oral and
written part.
Opening morning session:
Pujya Yagnavallabh Swami inaugurated KarCon 2003 with a
dip pragatyua ceremony. Here, karyakars had the labh of
learning about the importance of developing samarpan-bhavana.
P. Yagnavallabh Swami narrated incidents in which Shriji
Maharaj and the Guru parampara exemplified samarpan-bhavana.
Implementing His Vision, Implementing a Sabha Plan, Implementing
Personal Contact, Reaching the Summit:
In order to develop karyakars into leaders of their mandals,
SDC members prepared workshops through which delegates developed
sanchalak/sanchalika oriented skills. The workshops ranged
from Implementing his Vision, a workshop focused on creating
a one year road map that will help karyakars plan their
activities according to local, regional and national initiatives;
to Implementing a Sabha Plan which taught karyakars how
to organize sabhas and more importantly helped them to encourage
and enable others in their mandal to do the same. Implementing
Personal Contact taught karyakars to effectively develop
relationships with kishores/kishoris in their mandal and
members of the vadil mandal. Reaching the summit workshop
focused on two ideas: executing projects and building a
closer relationship with other local, regional, and national
karyakars.
Reaching the Summit (Kishores)
During the final workshop of KarCon 2003, sanchalaks aspired
to reach the towering heights of Mount Everest. In order
to achieve this goal, they were required to apply project
management skills learned earlier through other workshops.
Sanchalaks cooperated with members from their own regions
to plan a regional KarCon.
Mission: Possible (Kishoris)
In the final kishori workshop, sanchalakas were divided
into groups according to their region and given the task
of planning and implementing a night shibir. Using skills
developed from previously attended workshops, kishoris creatively
and carefully organized the shibir's theme, goals, schedule,
assignments, and deadlines.
Teambuilding
Following a rigorous round of classes, karyakars took a
break in which they continued to learn basic karyakar development
skills through teambuilding sessions. These activities reinforced
the ideas of sarmapan (for our team), ekta, and the power
of one (doing your part in a team to make the team successful).
Evening programs
Evening programs had two main goals, entertainment and sanchalak/sanchalika
introspection. Karyakars were treated to kirtans, traditional
speeches, panel discussions and keynote addresses along
with multiple "bangs"-multimedia presentations
which were prepared by various mandals throughout the US.
Evening programs were also designed to fuel self-improvement.
The first evening's theme was 'Ever Since.' This theme encouraged
karyakars to examine their progress in satsang by evaluating
their current level of satsang to levels they were at during
shibirs and festivals in the past such as CFI, Catskills,
Radio city, Perry and the various other karyakar conventions.
For kishore attendees the second day's theme was "Life
Without a Sanchalak". Kishores performed dramas and
skits and listened to personal excerpts from P. Santo regarding
their own sanchalaks and how their sanchalaks had a hand
in helping them become ãdarsh satsangis.
Similarly, the second day's theme for kishoris was "Life
Without a Sanchalika". Through skits, commercial breaks
of Shayona (for comic relief), and interviews, kishori sanchalikas
realized the impact that they make on the lives of thousands
of kishoris throughout the country.
On the last day, kishores and kishoris took niyams to please
Swamishri. Kishores and kishoris signed 'Swaminarayan' on
leaves of two trees and typed the niyam they wished to take
into a computer.
Closing Bang
The entire shibir climaxed into a slideshow illustrating
the ideal example of samarpan. Glimpses of Swamishri showering
selfless love upon santos, vadils, kishores, and balaks
impacted each sanchalak/sanchalika on a personal level.
Saints Speeches
P. Munitilak Swami and P. Bhaktiswaroop Swami explained
the principles of Samp. Pujya Devandan Swami used Shastriji
Majaraj's life as a case study to illustrate the importance
of having pride in our Akshar Purshottam Upasana. Pujya
Anupam Swami elaborated on the relevance of making both
personal and mandal sacrifices in order to fulfill Pramukh
Swami Maharaj's mission. Finally, Pujya Amrutcharit Swami
took a practical approach in teaching karyakars how to sacrifice
their ego while performing their seva.
