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“India, My Sacred Land” – Where Bala vihar students and saints came together!

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From apprehension to appreciation, an Indian American teenager’s gradual change of heart towards India was the premise of a captivating play performed on December 8th 2018, at Chinmaya Prabha Houston. In a compelling narrative of a few of India’s saints, 115 Balavihar children  worked in harmony with live orchestra, modern technology, and visual effects to fly us across space and time to “India, My Sacred Land.”

The play draws inspiration from Shri Darshana Nanavaty’s sixth grade curriculum book, “India, The Sacred Land.”  The common notion that saints are only ascetics living in solitude was systematically corrected as each act unfolded the story of a special saint who influenced the society of that time. After paying homage to the Chinmaya Guru Parampara, children embodied the spirits of Samartha Ramdas, the inspirational guru of Emperor Chatrapathi Shivaji and of the melodiously devotional Mirabai, the princess saint of Mewad. They portrayed Purandaradasa, the miserly diamond merchant who turned into a devoted musical saint; they made us revere the values that Kabirdas lived and mesmerized us with the power of the faith of Soordas, the blind poet-saint. They highlighted the great humility of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and the missionary zeal of his disciple Swami Vivekananda–well remembered for his revolutionary address at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago.  For the duration of the play, those performing were not just children but truly a representation of the saints themselves, worthy of respect and attention.

The bhajans and musical accompaniment of the live orchestra trained by Smt. Jamuna Murali and her team elevated the performance. Singers, tabla players, cellists, violinists, and pianists musically showcased the mood in every scene. Characters like the naughty mice, the perplexed disciple, and the enlightened masters were enlivened by creative sound effects that were mischievous, amusing, and deeply soulful respectively. Make-up and costumes for the 115 performers – for royalty, saints, peasants and devotees who all spanned different centuries, were breathtakingly realistic and true to character.

While the play was written entirely in English, the clever script by the Bala vihar play coordinators moved seamlessly between traditional and contemporary styles of speech. Relatable snippets of a young boy complaining about bedtime, referring to a saint as ‘awesome,’or simply judging India by its outward gildings, struck a chord and often won plenty of laughs from the audience.

An IT-focused audio-visual team tied everything together brilliantly. Awe-inspiring, larger-than-life images and animations burst out from the massive LED-lit backdrop. It drew the audience into the inner sanctum of temples, allowed access into the most important of Shivaji’s courtrooms and even took viewers to the Chicago Parliament of World Religions assembly of 1893.

The most impressive achievement is the diverse age range of the performers from as little as pre-K to twelfth grade. These artists kept the packed hall riveted to their seats. To come across an occasion where people from age two to ninety two can all thoroughly enjoy an evening together is rare. “India, My Sacred Land” is a true testimony to the devoted teamwork of all the volunteer groups of Chinmaya Mission Houston.

Chinmaya Mission Ann Arbor held its 5th annual CHYK retreat in 2018.

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With the blessings of Pujya Gurudev, Chinmaya Mission Ann Arbor held its 5th annual CHYK retreat in 2018. The retreat was held from November 2nd through 4th  with attendance from youth all over the United States. Sri Vivek Gupta of CM Niagara led the lively camp, titled“The Relevance of Ramayana,” that revolved around a study of Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda’s Sri Rama’s Reveries in Nature. This poetic and concise text contained the dialogue between Bhagvan Rama and Sri Lakshmana during their journey to find Mother Sita.
It was captured at a time when the two rested during the monsoon period. Lord Rama shared his thoughts, observations and analogies of the picturesque scene. Sri Vivekji walked the attendants through the scenes Lord Rama described and the noble thoughts He shared. Vivekji gave the students a vision, mission and action statement in correlation with the verses studied. This made the knowledge practical and applicable to students’ everyday lives. The retreat was supplemented with workshops and thought-provoking discussion questions. It also included dynamic sports, seva in the ashram and a viewing of “The Jungle Book,” reflecting the theme. The camp flowed in a seamless manner and was a weekend of satsanga, laughter and peace to the delight of the ever-dynamic Sri Vivekji and all the youth who attended.

Pujya Guruji’s visit to MSSS Patiala

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Hari Om.

Pujya Guruji visited Modern Senior Secondary School, Patiala.

The days events started with the school band escorting Guruji for the cultural program put up by the students. Ms. Nanki Singh, Trustee of the school introduced Guruji to the children and teachers. Shri Jujhar Singh – Chairman and trustee and Ms. Anjali Singh, Ms. Indu Shrikent, Ms. Kala Ramnath,  Ms. Aishna Sharma Chulani, Shri Chetan Sharma members of the School Managing Committee and devotees of Chinmaya Mission were also present. The cultural program presented included the primary school children singing nursery rhymes written by Guruji and the Aarti by Guru Nanak Dev ji. The skits invoked a love for God.

Thereafter Guruji addressed students of classes 6-8.
Speaking to students of classes 9-12 Guruji shared the 6As for success: Aptitude, Aspiration, Ability, Application, Attitude and Altar of dedication.

For the children of classes 3-5 Guruji told a story indicating how all work can be dedicated to God.

In the evening Guruji planted a sapling and had a session for teachers in which Guruji pointed out that the purpose of Education is manifesting the divinity in a person and to develop love for God.

Take Out Rest Time!

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All beings have been pre-programmed to balance work and rest. Man’s constitution, like most other beings, is made to work during the day and rest at night. Sleep, especially at night, rejuvenates and refreshes us. However, with the discovery of electricity, we play night cricket, indulge in late night TV- watching, study, eat and so on. This artificial life-style has a negative effect on our body and mind.

These days, we hear of young CEOs with huge pay packets, jet-setting around the world, working non-stop. Their success stories are featured in top business magazines. Many of them suffer from peptic ulcers, become workaholics, and very soon get ‘burnt-out’ or talk of retiring by thirty. They are advised to slow down, and when they do not do so, their health grounds them. We hear of cases where the heart, created by God to last two hundred years, stops at thirty!

Strangely, no one except the boss is happy with someone who works all the time. Such people are under constant stress, their family is dissatisfied, the children never see the parent and the spouse is disgruntled. Colleagues are envious and friends are non-existent. What is the use of success when there is no happiness, peace, health or harmony in our life?

Some people do not know how to rest or relax. They are by nature restless and agitated. Some sleep with their mobile phones in bed and are disturbed throughout the night by unimportant messages tones. Some feel guilty to be caught resting. Others feel that they will be productive and efficient, if they are always in action mode; they will be classified as achievers and ultimately become successful.

And yet others feel that they should rest only after all the work is completed or after ‘x’ task is over, however long it may take. So they trudge on and on – exhausted. Remember work never gets ‘finished’. It only ‘finishes’ us! Also we will never be ‘given’ rest-time. We have to ‘take out’ rest-time. We have to ‘make time or take ‘time out.’

Of course, there are many of us, who follow the law of inertia and refuse to work until they are pushed to do so, Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda said, “If you rest (too much), you rust”. If we do not use of our body and mind, we loosen them or, worse, lose them.

In conclusion: Do not work ‘relentlessly’ or with less rest and also do not rest ‘worklessly’ or with less work. The body and mind will be of no use if we misuse, abuse or disuse them. They should be used well, in a balanced way, for peak performance.

Achievement in Chinmaya Khel Milan

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Hari Om! Pranaams!!

We are extremely delighted to share a very happy news that our school has participated in the 8th  Chinmaya Khel Milan – The Badminton Tournament on the 15th ,16th  and 17th November 2018 at Chinmaya Vidyalaya Kunnumpuram (Kerala).

35 schools participated. Our school has won the 2nd  Runner up.

We wholeheartedly thank CCMT Education cell for having given us this wonderful opportunity.

My Happiness spiritual retreat at Chinmaya Vibhooti

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From 23rd to 25th November 2018, a group of members of Rotary Club Kandivli West (Mumbai), and their friends and relatives, attended a spiritual retreat at Chinmaya Vibhooti, taken by Swami Swatmananda. The retreat was titled “My Happiness” and Swamiji guided the enthusiastic group through thought-provoking interactive sessions, yoga, silence, meditation, a movie workshop, Q&As, and lots of memorable and happy moments of inspired learning. The Rotarians and friends also enjoyed the spiritually-charged ambience at Chinmaya Vibhooti where they visited Chinmaya Jeevan Darshan, Swanubhooti Vatika, and all others areas. They were served sumptuous meals which they relished together, over lots of sattvic bonding and reflection. The group went back home after the retreat with only positive things to say, eager to apply the teachings received, and just as eager for the earliest opportunity to come together for more spiritual retreats through Chinmaya Mission.

Jnana Yajna at Chinmaya Mission Jaipur

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Members of Chinmaya Mission Jaipur were transported to the realm of
Divine bliss by Pujya Swami Abhedananda ji, who kept his promise and dates
with us and once again in the Holy month of Kartik, successfully conducted a
7 day Gyan Yajna on Bhagwad Geeta chapter 5 and Kathopanishad Part 2
from 11th November to 17th November 2018.
The Yajna was ceremoniously inaugurated with shanti path and lighting of the
lamp and chanting of Guru Stotram. President Chinmaya Mission Jaipur
Smt.Mamta Mansingh welcomed Pujya Swamiji and all the seekers.
An erudite scholar, known for his lucid and articulate communication
skill,Swamiji began the morning session on the dialogue between Yamraj and
Nachiketa. Explaining the merits of the path of Shreyas as against the parh of
Preyas, he said that Shreyas, without depending on the circumstances takes
us closer to the Divine Self through renunciation. Whereas Preyas takes you
through desires to the world of sorrow.
Nachiketa who had more dispassion than Yamraj himself enquires about that
state which is beyond past and present, where one can remain permanently
focused on the path. Swamiji’s exposition on a subject as serious as
Kathopanishad and Bhagawad Geeta was laced with wit and humour that
caught the attention of one and all.
In the evening sessions text taken was Bhagawad Geeta chapter 5. While
speaking about the path to Self-realization, Swamiji extolled the virtues of
Karma Yaga, Karma Sanyas Yoga and Gyan Karma Sanyas Yoga.
The secret of leading ones life skillfully, lies on these virtues. Unselfish action
performed in a spirit of surrender leads a spiritual seeker to a state of bliss.
As circumstances are not always in our hands attachments and expectations
lead to sorrow and helplessness, but when we surrender our effort with faith,
that there is someone behind taking care, our distress reduces. Giving up the
fruit of action is Puja is Karma yoga. Geeta speaks of Karana Yoga, Karma
Sanyas Yoga and Gyan Karma Sanyas Yoga. Without Karma Yoga
renunciation is difficult to attain.
The 7 days spiritual festivities ended on 17th November. On the last day of
Yajna, Secretary Chinmaya Mission Jaipur presented vote of thanks and
expressed gratitude towards Pujya Swamiji and all the seekers.

Shraddhanjali For Shri R.L. Manchanda

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Shri R.L. Manchanda, President Chinmaya Mission Patiala left suddenly for his heavenly abode on 26th Nov morning. He lived a “Life of Contributions”. Being a civil engineer by profession, he supervised the construction of “Chinmaya Shatabadi Sabhagar” of Chinmaya Tapovan Trust, Sidhbari, constructed in memory of Param Pujya Gurudev during his Centenary year celebrations. He also supervised the construction of Chinmaya Jagriti Ashram and Shri Ram Mandir Patiala. He was a great personality with humane qualities and will be remembered with respect always by the present and future generations. His departure is a great loss to family, friends, society and Chinmaya Mission. May his soul rest in peace.

Githa Chanting Competition and Karthika Vana Mahostavam

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We are very happy to inform you that, with Pujya Gurudev’s, Pujya Guruji’s blessings, the Chittoor District Level “Chinmaya Bhagavadgitha” Chanting Competition, 2018, were conducted at Chinmaya Mission Ashramam, Yadamvari Palli, on 11-11-2018 with 42/45 students, parents and others around the strength of 120 members, was successfully completed. After competitions, with Cash Prizes, Certificates and Mission Books as prizes were distributed followed by, “Annadanam”. The programme was sponsored by Chinmaya Mission Center, Piler

            On 18-11-2018, the “Karthika Vana Mahostavam”, was conducted, at Chinmaya Ashramam, Yadamvaripalli. Go Matha, Thulasi Matha, Amalakada Damodara Swamy Poojas were performed by “Litting Kartika Deepas”. “Geetha Parayana” and Bhajans were sung followed by pravachanam on Karthika Puranam by Swamy Sri Krishnananda, resident Acharya. “Vanabhojanam” was arranged to the attendants of around 200 devotees with sponsorship of Mission Devotees. It is prayed, Lord Sri Krishna, Pujya Gurudev and Pujya Guruji, to bless to strengthen us to celebrate such programmes again and again.

With Prem & Om!
In “HIS” Service,
At “HIS” Feet.

International Peace Award to Chinmaya Mission

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On Nov. 24, Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, conferred the Dr. Nagendra Singh International Peace Award to Chinmaya Mission for its yeoman’s services to the nation since its establishment in 1953.

The special event, hosted by Rastra Nirmaan and the International Goodwill Society of India (IGSI) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, was attended by nearly 2,000 people. It reflected the deep respect and appreciation of the Indian people for the noble work started by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.

Speakers on the occasion included Dr. Yogendra Narain, National President IGSI, who applauded the achievements of Chinmaya Mission, and Shri Alok Kumar, Working President, Vishva Hindu Parishad, who fondly recalled his time with Pujya Gurudev.

The keynote speech was delivered by the Vice President who stated that Swami Chinmayananda Saraswatiji was very particular about punctuality of time and about upholding India’s glorious traditions. He pointed out that Chinmaya Mission was a unique and significant institution. The important thing was not to bestow an award on a great saint like Swami Chinmayananda, but to follow his teachings.  He commended the motto of Mission and stressed that it had rendered service in the fields of spiritual enlightenment, education, environment, culture, rural development and youth empowerment, both in India and abroad.   He applauded the Mission for being “a great ambassador of Indian ethos and values”, and “a true embodiment of the virtuousness and the spirit of peace and humanism that Hinduism stands for.” He concluded by requesting the audience to take inspiration from the work of this great saint and support and promote the Mission’s activities.

Swami Prakarshananda, accepting the award on behalf of Chinmaya Mission, warmly thanked the Vice President and the institutions for choosing the Mission for this year’s award. He recalled the Mission pledge, and underlined the immense contribution of the leadership, of all acharyas and devoted members of the Mission.  Swamiji pointed out  that the knowledge of Vedanta alone could bring about universal love and peace. He dedicated the award at the lotus feet of Pujya Gurudev and concluded with the all-inclusive prayer, sarve bhavantu sukhinah …

The following is the full text of the speech of the Hon’ble Vice President of India.
I am extremely happy to be present today on the auspicious occasion of the presentation of the Dr Nagendra Singh international Peace Award to the Chinmaya mission.
Justice Nagendra Singh was the only Indian who secured full tenure at the International Court of Justice in the Hague. Early in 1973 he became a Judge of the International Court of Justice, thereafter its Vice President, and subsequently he was elected the President of the International Court in 1985.
He served in the ICJ for more than 11 years and brought laurels to our nation. He was not only a distinguished civil servant but also a great jurist whose knowledge of international law was both profound and deep.
I am told that the international Goodwill Society of India (IGSI), a non-political, social and scholastic association, which is presenting this prestigious Peace Award, was founded by Justice Nagendra Singh in 1982.
The objective behind its formation was the mobilization of the society to oppose challenges of human rights violation, hatred, violence, arms race and exploitation.
This, he felt, was possible only by consciously promoting a feeling of brotherhood amongst men and creating goodwill through the practice of right conduct and the nurturing of a positive attitude.
The Society has earlier conferred these Peace awards on Justice Dalveer Bhandari of the international Court of Justice and on Shri. Ravi Shankar of the Art of Living fame. This year it is being given to the Chinmaya Mission.
I must compliment the Society and its members for choosing individuals and institutions who are promoting peace and goodwill through both their philosophy and their actions.
World peace has been humanity’s long standing dream. Since time immemorial, poets have sung about it, philosophers have tried to comprehend its complexities and rulers and governments have tried to find ways to achieve it.
Yet, even at the threshold of the 21st century, world peace continues to elude us, it remains an unfulfilled quest, an unreachable destination.
The achievement of world peace is undoubtedly a slow and painful process.
We can take heart from the fact that we have travelled a long way since the barbaric days of the World War, the holocaust and the tragic times of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In 1945, after the world was forced to bear witness to the unimaginable horrors of the Second World War, humanity came together and promised themselves that there wouldn’t be a Third World War to lament over. The historic 51 member League of Nations was thus born and later, transformed into the 192 member United Nations Organization.
The countries of the world came to a consensus that the only way to achieve peace was to work together and help each other.
Nelson Mandela once said, “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”
India has been a beacon light of harmony and peaceful co-existence. For us, the whole world is one large family and the maxim of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ is firmly ingrained in our consciousness.
I am happy to learn that the Chinmaya Mission, the winner of today’s prestigious award was established in India in the early fifties by the devotees of the renowned Vedanta teacher and proponent of Adwaita, Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati.
Let me express my appreciation for the motto of the Mission which is ‘to give maximum happiness to the maximum number of people for the maximum time’. Its message is that of peace enabled by a deeper understanding of the self.
The Mission aims to bring about inner transformation of individuals through knowledge of Vedanta, spiritual practices and service to the society, thus creating a happy world around them.
It has been doing yeoman service in the fields of education, empowerment of youth, healthcare, rural development, environment and culture. The Chinmaya Mission is working to spread the message of spirituality, peace and service to all parts of the world. The mission is a great ambassador of Indian ethos and values.
It is a true embodiment of the virtuousness and the spirit of peace and humanism that Hinduism stands for.
The work done by Chinmaya Mission addresses the issues that lie at the heart of unrest and violence, the issues of deprivation, of injustice, of discontent. By educating the youth, it opens up a whole new world of opportunities to them. By focusing on conserving the environment, it paves the way for sustainable development.
Ultimately, if we want world peace, we must transform individuals.
If each of us can think and act differently by keeping the ultimate objective of improving the quality of life on this planet, the world will get transformed. Which is why, Gandhiji also had said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Share and care has been the core of Indian philosophy. We need to internalize this spirit in whatever we do. Learning to live together is the essential element of Indian ethos.
This aspect of learning needs constant nurturing in our educational institutions.
I am glad that Chinmaya Mission is propagating these timeless ideas among the younger generation.
Violence has several facets, from physical to psychological, and from emotional to cultural. We must combat violence in all its forms and manifestations. We need a multi-pronged approach to bring in peace.
Unfortunately, very often, the mass media, our movies, our video games, our books, our television programs, the internet, portray violence and sometimes even glorify it. There is a need to exercise restraint in the portrayal of violence.
There are a number of other factors like isolationism, indoctrination, fundamentalism and violent extremism that are fuelling conflict and terror across the globe.
In fact, terrorism has become a major challenge to world peace today. The number of terror related incidents has been on the rise from around 650 in 1970 to nearly 13,000 in 2016. The fatalities in these incidents have risen from nearly 170 in 1970 to nearly 34000 in 2016.
We should aim at a more just and responsive world order and one that is based on multi-lateralism. We should foster a climate of mutual respect and resolve conflicts through dialogue.
Peace is a pre-requisite for progress. We cannot have adequate attention to development if there is tension. We must build an inclusive, harmonious world.
India’s message in this regard, taken from the Yajurveda, can prove to be highly inspirational.
“May there be Peace in Heaven and in the Sky,
May there be Peace on the Earth, in the Water and in the Plants,
May there be Peace in All,
May there be Peace within, giving me the Peace which Grows within Me.”
I once again congratulate the Chinmaya Mission for being awarded the Dr Nagendra Singh International Peace Award.
I hope it will continue to propagate the best thoughts from the ancient Indian texts that can pave the way for world peace.