Young Spiritual Warrior Camp for boys 2005: Hunting for the Matrix... This year's young spiritual warrior camp was true spiritual warfare as the spiritual enemies and bondages were tested with real experiences while trying to attain the always elusive Matrix or spiritual energy. Learning the stick-fighting form from Kung-Fu Sifu Adhyatman: Playing with the enemy...: At the end of the very first day all participants were brought face to face with the spiritual shields and how to use them in the struggle with the enemies. Some who became victims of them were asked to pull their ears voluntarily as a physical reminder of not falling prey to them. The first night was also the enemy night. 2 groups had to follow sounds into the woods while at the same time being distracted by various persons representing the enemies on the way. The team that thought to be the best fell for almost all of them as they were confused by them being part of the game... The next day was going to be the night of the bondages, but even before the night approached it had claimed some of its victims already. One group with a leader that had already done the hike three times before thought they could walk ahead. They were given compass, map and walkie talkie, but nevertheless got lost ending up walking more than 5 miles extra...   The next day morning they had to untie the unfortunate Dada Rakesh who was tied up by 8 ropes, each representing one of the bondages. Day no.3 we needed a definite relaxation at the waterpark. And of course mother nature had to help us a little bit by closing the park down for 2 hours, but the quality of determination was rewarded as it re-opened for another hour before the closing, almost leaving the whole park to us with out long queues in front of the most favorite slides... On the way to the waterpark... recovering from the hike... and a rainy night in the forest... Competition at the waterpark... Thanks Karun for this great shot... Ravi counting the seconds he can stay in the rain, additionaly being splashed with water by others... Day no.4 was a day of concentration and preparation for the final challenge on friday. The finally awaited paintball-contest was delayed to to the unfortunate change of plans of a local paintball playfield-manager, who had to take care of other business. Thereby we had to play until the very last sunrays were gone. After having to restructure the teams several times over and with the inclusion of an outside volunteer, the final challenge was done by both teams on time... Even though according to points one team (Ravi's) was the winner, the other team was much better in teamwork and leadership (Jay's team).   Thanks to the boys from North Carolina for coming from so far away... Thanks to the counselors Prashanta and Karna without whom this would not have been possible... Thanks to Dada Shuddhatmananda for excellent food...and Thanks to Dada Rakesh for watching everyone doing their duty properly   All in all this event became one of the most intense Young Spiritual Warrior events of all times. Caetanya was already sick with cough from the start, but battled through the very end. Mickey forgot to put his sunscreen at the waterpark and had to skip the final challenge, because his back erupted in eye-sized blisters. Jay could not battle the enemies, as he sprained his foot on the first day. I got my nose broken with an innocent stick-fight ( we were trying to push each other off balance - no hitting intended). I realized that even with my eyes wide open... I can't see a thing..... Even after organizing this event every year since 1992 I remain a pupil. Looking forward for the new generation of organizers, counselors and participants... All the best until then, Dada Mokseshvarananda