Chinmaya Mission Cleveland welcomed Swamini Vimalanandaji for talks on Shiva Sankalpa Suktam from April 22-24, 2015. Not only was this the Swaminiji’s first visit, but it marked the first time a visiting Swami has graced Cleveland, Ohio since Chinmaya Mission activities began in January 2014. The impact of her presence was strongly felt, with an audience upwards of 100.
Fully aware of an audience that not only included attendees completely new to Chinmaya Mission and Vedanta, but also those who were attending talks for the first time in several decades, Swaminiji used her characteristic wit and inimitable style to engage the audience with practical examples and frequently asking confirming questions related to the subject of the Mind.
A classic example used the analogy of electricity, bulb and light, in relation to God, the body and mind/intellect. Yet, rather than having the audience accept what she was saying, she always made them think. For example, “Does a rock have a mind? No. Does God exist in the rock?” Of course varying answers from the audience resulted in Swaminiji’s advice to reflect on this question.
Vivekji, who has guided the creation of Chinmaya Mission Cleveland and continues to serve there, accompanied Swaminiji on this inaugural trip, which took place primarily at the Greater Cleveland Shiva Vishnu Temple in Parma, Ohio. In addition to holding evening talks, Swaminiji also conducted morning satsangs on ‘Happy Parenting’ and ‘Mind in Harmony.’