Amid the COVID pandemic, the Mentorship Sanga, created by Shri Vivekji and Chinmaya Mission Niagara, was formed to reinforce connection. This past August, our community hosted the second annual Mentorship Sanga retreat in Akron, Ohio, USA at the Life Gurukula ashram, where seekers sought to explore satsang, seva and sadhana.

On Friday evening, seekers arrived at the picturesque grounds and were welcomed to the prayer hall for introductions and a formal opening. Bellies were filled with a home-cooked meal, courtesy of our CM Cleveland families, just in time for the first session, led by Hrishue Mahalaha, a community leader and beloved CM Cleveland
Balavihar facilitator. He shared a different view of satsang, introducing the concept of the thin-space, a game that highlighted the importance of one-ness and the unnecessary barriers put between ourselves and our fellow humans.

Saturday morning found all in the prayer room, being led in a yoga asana by Priya Amaresh, a certified yoga instructor and the resident Hindu chaplain at Duke University. After breakfast, all gathered for the second session, led by Nishi Singhal, a children’s book author and health coach. Nishi showed us how exploring our value system, to
make our seva more meaningful. The afternoon was filled with athletics in the greens of the ashram and a reflective Q&A with Vivekji. After dinner, seekers gathered in groups to create paper lanterns, decorated with pictures of our beloved Guides and inspiring quotes. These were then taken outside to be enjoyed as the night closed with a
campfire and s’mores.

All gathered for one final session with Priyaji, Sunday morning, where she highlighted how Adi Sankaracarya’s teachings can be applied to our own journey to create our own unique sadhana. As the retreat ended, seekers left with tangible practices and intentions to deepen our community.