A sangam of swamis and respected teachers from various centers blessed the expansion bhumi puja of Chinmaya Mission Chicago – Badri on September 7, 2018. Pujya Swami Swaroopanadaji emphasized the importance of personal growth of devotees; buildings and attendance may grow but are we growing spiritually within?

Respected Shri Shanker Pillai, President Chinmaya Mission Chicago, and Board member CMW welcomed Swami Shantananda, Swami Sharanananda, Swami Mitrananada, Swami Ramkrishnananda, Swamini Kaivalyananda, Shri Gaurang Nananvati from Chinmaya Mission Houston and other CMW lead Sevaks from various centers who showered their blessings amidst pouring rain.

Sri Krishna Jayanti was celebrated will all religious festivities on Sunday, 2nd September, 2018. The day strted with early morning abhisheka and puja followed by Vishnu Homa and Geeta Chanting. The grand chariot procession commenced in the evening at 5.30 pm with Pujya Swami Brahmananda leading the procession to the chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama, Vedic Hymns, Bhajans and Saxophone performance. The chariot was beautifully decorated with exotic flowers and beautiful illumination to the devotional appreciation by thousands of devotees who followed the chariot. The chariot procession ended by 7.00 pm which was followed by devotional songs till 9.30 pm. From 9.30 pm to 11.30 pm the famous Aruna Group from Shivamogga rendered soul stirring classical programme along with wonderful Krishna Bhajans.Nama japa started at 11.30 pm culminating with midnight Aarati.

“The Eternal, the Infinite, the Lord Murari. He is … IN YOU. Seek and Discover. ~ Swami Chinmayananda.”

Krishna’s BirthDay bash – just as it should be, overflowing with happy faces – adults and children, gleefully celebrating the birth of the little blue boy of Vrindavan in a spirit of joyful celebration and a whole lot of cheer. The largest ever turn out for Shri Krishna Janmashtami @ Chinmaya Seva Centre! Bolo … Krishna Kanhaiyalal ki Jai! Stay tuned for all our upcoming and exciting festivities!

CHINMAYA MISSION JAIPUR In the auspicious month of Shravan, from 13 -19 August 2018, devotees of Chinmaya Mission Jaipur were blessed with the divine nectar of Srimad Bhagwat Katha by Pujya Swami Subodhananda ji. Pujya Swamiji explained the Sixth Canto called Poshan Skandh of the Mahapurana. Mukhya yajman of the seven day divine festivity were Sh. Ashok Sodhani ji and Smt. Padma Sodhani ji, Books Incharge, Chinmaya Mission Jaipur.

All students of Gurukul Sidhbari Vedanta Course along with their Resident Acharya Pujya Br. Visharad Chaitanya ji (Acharya, Chinmaya Mission Jaipur), Pujya Swamini Achalananda ji and Br. Om Chaitanya ji also came to attend the program. Pujya Swami Abhedananda ji (Acharya, Durban, South Africa), Pujya Swamini Anaghananda ji (Acharya Chinmaya Mission Thane, Mumbai) also graced the occasion by their divine presence for two days. The program was ceremonially inaugurated with Shanti Path, chanting of Gurustotram and lighting of lamp.

A warm welcome of Pujya Swamiji and all sadhaks was done by the President, Chinmaya Mission Jaipur, Smt. Mamta Mansingka. Known for his scholarship and pedagogy, Swami ji kept his audience rapt in attention as he began with a description of Bhagwan who is Sat-Chit-Ananda Swaroop. Explaining the importance of expiation and repentance (prayashchit), Swami ji said that even the most sinful man is purified if he surrenders to the God of Love with utmost devotion. The mere Name of God has the power to save even the most depraved and so was the fallen Ajamil forgiven, freed from the bondage of Karma by the Lord Himself. God nourishes him with His Grace and ‘poshanam’ takes place. Swamiji then explained the meaning of ‘Pravritti’ and ‘Nivritti’ and spoke of the Haryasvas and the story of Vishwaroop and Vritasur. Insult of a Guru by his shishya is a grave sin leading to the Guru leaving his shishya. Thus was Indra punished and forgiven only when he repented for his actions. Finally, Swami ji spoke about how the grieving King Chitraketu was consoled by the wisdom of the sages Angira and Narada. As initiated by Narada, Chitraketu meditated and soon had a vision of the God of Love and he ultimately realised his unity with Brahman, exclaiming, “The blissful Self am I, I am Brahman.”

On 3rd day of the program redemption of the book चतुःश्लोकी भागवत was done by Pujya Swami Subodhananda ji. Thus concluded the seven day divine discourse on the Sixth Canto of Srimad Bhagwatam. The relatively huge hall was packed to capacity everyday. Dr. Hanuman Sahai Sharma ji and his group presented classical Hari bhajans which were soul lifting and were appreciated by all the bhaktas. Pujya Swamiji felicitated Smt. and Sh. Ashok Sodhani with a shawl and Sriphal each.

In the end Dr. Uma Acharya Secretary, Chinmaya Mission Jaipur presented the Vote of Thanks. It was a memorable and Blissful week with invaluable gift of Divya Vedanta Gyana by our revered Pujya Swami Subodhananda ji.

Chinmaya Yuva Kendra Jaipur with Chinmaya Mission Jaipur has been organising Inter-School Patriotic Competition “SHRADDHANJALI” every year for last 19 years. This year it was organized on 10th August.

Chinmaya Study groups of Ahmedabad organized a half day camp titled Hari Sharanam based on Bhakti Yoga for the Vanaprasthis of Ahmedabad at ParamDham by Swami Avyayananda ji. The devotees watched an episode on the life of Bhadrachala Ramadas from Upanishad Ganga and reflected on Bhakti as the means and the goal in Swamiji’s talk based on Pujya Gurudev’s BMI chart. 50 elders not only reflected on the wisdom of our scriptures on the Supreme love but also re-lived their childhood memories by playing many fun games and thereby rekindled the love for themselves in their own hearts. The activities of the camp were facilitated by the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra and Chinmaya Setukari members. Thus, the younger generation of the Chinmaya family spent quality time with the elders and got inspired by their spirit and depth of faith.

For the occasion of Pujya Gurudev’s 25^th Mahasamadhi, Chinmaya Vibhooti hosted a camp in English called “Ageless Questions, Timeless Answers” by Swami Advayananda of CIF and Brahmachari Anand Chaitanya of Chennai. The camp, which covered Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 18, was well-attended with 115 campers from across India as well as from places as far off as USA, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The camp began on 3^rd August 2018 with a splendid Paduka Puja at Pranav Ganesh Mandir, in the presence of the glorious Chinmaya Akhanda Jyoti. All campers, staff and sevaks participated in the archana. Swamiji spoke touching and uplifting words about the glory of the Guru and how blessed we all are to have a great Mahatma like Pujya Gurudev as our Guru.

The classes began on the same evening and the camp concluded on 9^th August 2018. Brahmachari Anandji took morning meditation sessions as well as one session a day on the theme “In Tune With Swami Chinmayananda”, in which he shared several anecdotes, video clippings and quotations. There were also daily screenings of video clippings, group discussions and time for questions and doubts to be cleared by Swamiji and Brahmachariji. The campers wholeheartedly came forward to offer Yajaman and Bhiksha Seva and the entire camp had an overall ambience of service and devotion. On the final day, there was a Bhagavad Geeta Archana and a Paduka Puja where the success of the camp was dedicated entirely unto Mother Geeta and Pujya Gurudev.

REFLECTIVE REPORT – Ageless Questions, Timeless Answers

3-9 August 2018 at Chinmaya Vibhooti, Kolwan

If there is one question that has defied the passage of time, it is, “What is my higher purpose as a human and how do I approach it?”

An ageless, universal question indeed. And if there is any expounding as an answer to this, it is encapsulated in a text that has traversed centuries in time; namely, the Bhagavad Geeta.

To seek timeless answers, what better setting than the sylvan expanse of Chinmaya Vibhooti Vision Centre, in Kolwan, Maharashtra; an ashram that nestles gently in a valley, hugged by rolling hills as far as the eye can see.  The hills transfix you with their moods… cloud-hidden and contemplative one moment and brilliant with sunshine the next. “The Switzerland of Pune” as one attendee put it!

As you enter the portals of learning, the setting transports you into a state of reflection and silence, in a natural way.

It is here that “Ageless Questions, Timeless Answers” began its journey deep into chapter 18 of Bhagavad Geeta, over a period of six days, from 3^rd to 9^th August, 2018, under the able guidance of Swami Advayananda. In attendance were 115 campers drawn from far-off parts of India and the world. (Namely, Australia, USA, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.)

“This learning is neither for the old, nor for the young; neither for the sad, nor for the joyous; neither for the rich, nor for the poor, “Swamiji reminded gently, “It is for the spiritually sensitive.”

What are the paving stones on our spiritual journey?  Karma Yoga was revealed to be the bedrock of the journey. And the litmus test of a Karma Yogi is to check if one is able to surrender one’s very ownership of the Punya Phala (rewards) of the selflessly done karma!

Just when you thought that Karma Yoga was the clear way to liberation, the surprise is sprung on you. Through Karma Yoga you have established that you are neither the Karta (performer of action) nor the Bhogta (enjoyer of the fruits of action); and so you are free! But wait!

“What role do you think Karma Yoga plays in the attainment of the ultimate?” prodded Swamiji.

He continued, “Karma Yoga is not your shortcut to liberation.” What then is the purpose of Karma Yoga?  It serves to purify your mind, i.e. Chitta Shuddhi. In Chitta Shuddhi, the mind dwells in the Saatvik (pure and noble) and is driven away from Kaamya-karma (desire-driven action), effortlessly.

So one has to keep one’s life-vehicle on the karma yoga track and join another track for the long journey ahead. Another track?

Yes, having reached the second level, it is here, in the higher realm, that the  mountain river of scriptural knowledge pours forth as you do Shravanam (listening),  churn your mind through Mananam (contemplation) and  silence it in Nidhidhyaasanam (abidance in that knowledge) .

Thus, Karma Yoga acts as a launching pad to propel us into the realm of higher learning. The ground is prepared. The mind is ready to listen to the scriptures and words of wisdom that have come down the centuries like a clear river of knowledge, purifying, washing away, gushing on and impelling you to that final Union with the Ultimate, the immutable, the cosmic Consciousness.

With impeccable erudition the discourses of Swami Advayananda cut sharp and deep, as he used skilful logic to drive it.

It did occur to the listeners that like Lord Krishna in the final verses of the chapter and text, Swamiji too is endowed with immense compassion, walking with the seekers to unfold the answers, verse by verse and layer by layer, softening the weight of the profound knowledge with sparkling humour.

Each day, the answers drove the learning deeper and cut through the darkness with urgency and determination.

At each point the discourse led into group discussion and introspection. The knowledge dawned that at the Jeeva level, we differ greatly in the Gunaas that are our natural behavioural aspects, our personality. Each one of us in our thought, word, action, intelligence, and effort bring to the board Sattva, Rajo and Tamo Gunaa.

We thus carry our perfection and imperfections with us. We must gravitate towards our highest Sattva Gunaa if we are to attain the Ultimate. Thus, with this logic, the path to liberation lies with us!

A last leg of the journey remains. The part where we contemplate THAT energy which powers each of these functions and instruments of action. Knowing THAT power, one drops all that one has known, and abides in the pure Consciousness, suspending all thought and action, even seeking!

Thus, knowledge that at first seemed daunting was built brick by brick until the edifice stood luminescent in the light.

The enlightening camp had begun with an auspicious Paduka Puja on the occasion of the 25^th Mahasamadhi of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.

Each day began with meditation, and was punctuated by an enlivening session by Brahmachari Anand Chaitanya who brought to the campers rarely seen clips and anecdotes of Pujya Gurudev in a series.

In the late evenings under starlit skies, seekers would troop into Swami Advayananda’s kutiya to press him with more ageless questions. The questions poured in, the churning continued; and the timelessness of the answers held us transfixed. Each day was one step forward to propel us closer to our own true nature; pure Ananda.