We have now completed one year of the Wellness Mentorship Program launched by Shri Vivek, the resident guide of Chinmaya Niagara and a team of Chinmaya Setu Karis in North America. The program connected approximately 150 seekers from 75 cities over the last 12 months. Seekers have shared that the program has allowed them to form trusted relationships with like minded folks from all over North America, with mentees learning and gaining from the wisdom of seekers who have walked the same path a few years before.

Mentees have shared, “My mentor has been open, understanding and offers me a space to share freely. It feels like having an older sibling or an objective view to help me through what I’m going through.” Mentors share that they find the relationships with younger seekers enriching as they are able to share experiences from their own lives to support the journey their mentees are on.

Throughout the year, the seekers came together for monthly workshops on topics ranging from loneliness led by Madhav Khurana to climate change led by Prakash Bhave. The workshops have created space for Chinmaya Setu Karis to share their expertise on specific topics that seekers shared wanting to learn more about and then have a guided discussion following. The discussions have been so lively and dynamic, that conversations have lasted well into the night. These topics, along with weekly reflection exercises, prompt discussions between mentors and mentees. After continuing this year-long relationship, seekers share how supported they have felt by each other during an unprecedented few months.

We look forward to continuing these rich relationships into the new year!

At the start of 2021, the Wellness Mentorship Program was launched by Shri Vivek, the resident guide of Chinmaya Mission Niagara, and a team of Chinmaya Setu Karis in North America. The program — connecting more than 100 seekers from over 75 cities — focuses on providing a safe space for Chinmaya Setu Karis (Mentors) and Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (Mentees) to share, connect and speak openly. Through a semi-structured program including video chats, workshops and activities, mentors share their experiences and insights with mentees on daily living through a Vedantik context. These diverse opportunities have encouraged deeper friendships and connections between the JCHYKs, CHYKs and Setu Karis.

While many have formed these relationships informally through satsangs and interactions in local centers over the years, the formal program provides a semi-structured way to connect Youth and Setu Karis across the country. The program structure also includes an advisory board, made up of Chinmaya Mission sevaks from the wellness and mental health fields, to provide advice and act as a sounding board to mentors on any difficult topics that may arise in their conversations. After three months since the program kick-off, mentors and mentees have shared that during times of high stress, loneliness and anxiety, this forum to build community has been a joyous and uplifting experience.

From August 21 – 23, Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) and Chinmaya Setukaris (CSK) gathered for a virtual Retreat, hosted by Chinmaya Mission Boston. Guided by Vivekji and greater Boston’s resident teacher, Shashikalaji, the weekend consisted of daily discourses, guided walks and meditations, and several opportunities to engage in reflection, art, movement and self-care. Over 75 participants communed together, across a wide age range; the youngest at 19 and eldest at 60 years. The virtual format made the retreat particularly accessible, with participants tuning in from 5 countries!

The Retreat’s theme, “Paving the Way: Our journey from values to Virtues” focused on moving from intellectual understanding of values, to internalization and integration of these into one’s life. Prior to the retreat, each participant was given one virtue on which to focus their reflections throughout the weekend. Participants connected with others given the same virtue via an online Forum, sharing their thoughts and engaging in virtual dialogue. Vivekji and Shashikalaji guided participants through a rich set of Texts and materials; teachings from Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita, verses from Tao te Ching, excerpts from the Peace Pilgrim, Native American prayers and their own life experiences from practicing medicine, gardening and parenting.

Several participants shared sentiments of feeling connected and part of the shared community despite the physical distance. Notably, tuning into the Retreat from home encouraged a Realness to the integration of virtues into one’s life; learning and reflecting in one’s own space naturally lends to action in the same. Deep gratitude to the Retreat Guides, Vivekji and Shashikalaji, for the priceless learnings and experience.