The 4th Self Unfoldment Programme (SUP) at Chinmaya Mission South Africa reached a fulfilling culmination on 10 April. This specially curated course gives an opportunity to seekers at all points in their spiritual journey to come together under the guidance of an accessible teacher, within a sacred space, for a considerable time period – for students to rise to the right frame of mind, know the life-changing lessons of the ancient scriptures and experience spiritual ecstasy devoid of compromise.

From 10 March to 10 April 2024, 15 students from South Africa and India resided at the Chinmaya Mission Durban Ashram, Headquarters of CM SA, and received a nourishing spiritual experience under Swami Abhedananda (Spiritual In-Charge, Chinmaya Mission South Africa).

Students learned authentic Vedic chanting and basic Sanskrit, taught by Brahmacharins. Swami Abhedananda covered the Prashnopanishad, Chapter 7 of the Bhagavad Gita, and portions of the Ramcharitmanas in full depth, enlightening students on the practical lessons, universal truths, and the path toward Moksha, as encrypted in the shastras.

The comforts and divine routine of the Ashram along with the blessed darshan of the magnificent Lord Shiva at the Chinmaya Shivam Temple, have left an indelible mark in the hearts of all students. An experience as this one is truly rare to have anywhere in the world!

Here is a garland of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s 108 Glorious Names sung by 108 Chinmaya Mission Swamins, Brahmacharins and Vedanta Teachers from around the world, in the form of a beautiful video, created by the CMWRC team.

https://youtu.be/zOdm1hyImsA

The Chinmaya International Residential School campus provided a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the 34th All India Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (AICHYK) Conference, with over 125 participants including 33 Swamins and Brahmacharins, as well as enthusiastic youth from 61 Centres across Bharat. The attendees were eager to connect, exchange ideas and immerse themselves in Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s teachings, inspired to bring positive change at their Centres.

Swami Swaroopananda, the Global Head of Chinmaya Mission and Chairman of AICHYK, was welcomed for the inauguration with the traditional Purna Kumbha followed by the hoisting of the Dhvaja – flag bearing the CHYK emblem. In his address, he reflected on his own journey, highlighting the enduring principle of ‘once a Chyk, always a Chyk’ that defines the spirit of CHYK. He fondly recalled the profound words of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, who emphasised the infinite potential within each individual, stating, “If infinite is your nature, then infinite is your potential. Therefore, there are no heights that you cannot scale.”

This Conference held special significance as it coincided with the 108th Chinmaya Jayanti. Additionally, the upcoming years mark significant milestones, with 2025 commemorating the 50th year of CHYK and 2026 celebrating the 75th year of the Chinmaya Movement.

Some of the important sessions were as follows:

Presentations on major programs/activities in 2023-2024 – CHYK Centres of Chennai, Kadapa, Brahmapur, Goa, Mumbai, Noida, CORD Sidhbari and others, shared insights on the impact of CHYK projects and activities conducted in the last year.

Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s Talk – Youth Alone Can: an eye opener for all on the clarity with which He envisioned CHYK for the youth of Bharat. His words left a great impact and participants could be seen discussing and mulling over the thoughts even after the session.

Presentations and discussions on ‘CHYK Vision & Mission’ and ‘Envisioning Chyk for the next 20 years: Challenges and Opportunities’ were facilitated by Swami Turiyananda, Brahmachari Anand Chaitanya, Brahmachari Sudheer Chaitanya, Brahmachari Vighnesh Chaitanya and Brahmachari Ved Chaitanya.

Youth Empowerment Program (YEP-14) – Swami Anukoolananda spoke about the visionary program that began in 2003 and with thirteen successful batches of around 450+ empowered YuvaVeers continues to support grass-root activities and projects across Bharat. He emphasised the impact of the program and how it is imperative that Chinmaya Mission centres support YEP-14 by sending potential participants, hosting YuvaVeers during their training and funding the course.

CHYK 50 years – RRR-7 – This is the nation building project to be implemented in the 50th year of CHYK across Bharat. YuvaVeer Radha Narayan spoke on the visionary initiative by Swami Mitrananda of compiling history books – that were published as a set of three, titled Radiant, Resilient, Resurgent Bharat for classes 6, 7 and 8.

Swami Anukoolananda elaborated on the set of competitions and their structure that is being planned for implementation in 2025, sharing insights into possible numbers to be reached and teams to be built. Based on the inputs given, all participants sat in their respective State groups and discussed the possible preparatory guidelines and plan of execution.

CHYK Personal Transformation Programs – Swami Anukoolananda presented insights that should be implemented by all CHYK Centres. Topics covered included Daily Sadhana for Transformation, 52 Challenges for 52 weeks, Sadhana Camps for Youth, and so on.

Drug Demand Reduction program – awareness and actionables for outreach among youth and school groups. Swami Anukoolananda conducted this presentation for the Conference participants.

Outreach initiatives were emphasised in a special session covering – CHYK Alumni meet, CHYK Transformation Circle. Social Media Outreach and Collaboration were presented by Brahmachari Sanatan Chaitanya with the team from Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth and Chinmaya Vidyalayas Jamshedpur, Bokaro and Kannur

State groups brainstormed on the planning of targets, sevak building, outreach initiatives to be implemented in each Centre and State for 2024-25.

Each day began with a Sadhana session emphasising the importance of being consistent in our sadhana. Japa sadhana of Rama Nama, chanting the Guru Stotra and Chinmaya Ashtottara Shata Namavali and Dhyana were the three sadhanas that were focussed on, led by Swami Sughoshananda, Swami Atmavidananda, Swami Vijayananda, Brahmacharini Anupama Chaitanya and Brahmachari Narayana Chaitanya. Evening sessions with Arati and Bhajans invoked devotion in all.

Besides these, everyone was enthralled with lucid Satsang sessions on ‘Mantras for Success Geeta Speaks’ by Brahmacharini Maitreyi Chaitanya, Brahmacharini Anupama Chaitanya and Brahmacharini Usha Chaitanya, and ‘Gurudev Mahima’ by Swami Vijayananda, Brahmachari Vighnesh Chaitanya and Brahmachari Ved Chaitanya.

A highlight was a special Q&A session with Swami Swaroopananda where participants freely asked their doubts about life situations and received clarity on each. A night walk challenge added spice to the entire Conference, helping each participant face their own fears and overcome them.

The Conference provided a platform for attendees to engage in meaningful discussions, workshops, and activities, empowering them to embody Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s teachings and make a positive impact in society. The Conference concluded ceremoniously with offering of gratitude unto the Guruparampara, taking the Chinmaya Pledge and lowering of the CHYK-dhvaja. Participants left with renewed zeal and determination to uphold the values of the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra and continue their journey of self-discovery and service at the highest altar.

Admissions are now open for Chinmaya Nursery, Worli, Mumbai – a ‘Preschool with a difference’. Chinmaya Nursery follows an innovative curriculum, integrating contemporary pedagogy with the wisdom and values of our traditional Indian knowledge systems and culture in modern day classrooms. It focuses on a holistic education philosophy of all dimensions of a child’s personality and implements it through a structured teaching-learning programme known as the Chinmaya Vision Programme (CVP). The CVP is a set of principles and guidelines that concretise the vision of education outlined by Swami Chinmayananda, who believed “Children are the very cream of our generation, and they are the rulers and makers of tomorrow. Upon them depends the future of our nation, and the safety of our culture and tradition.”

A group of seekers spent a weekend at Chinmaya Amarnath Ashram in Pittsburgh from 26 to 28 April 2024. The retreat was themed ‘The Joy of Change’. The theme of the retreat revolved around the sacredness of relationships, particularly focusing on vivaha, the journey of marriage, and its profound impact on personal growth and spiritual upliftment. Participants, representing various stages of relationships, embarked on a journey of self-discovery and relationship enrichment.

The retreat also featured a Bala Vihar component, where children engaged in art and storytelling activities on Lord Hanuman. This was led by a group of graduating Seekers to Facilitators, a programme intended to train seekers in becoming confident facilitators of Sanatana Dharma, with a focus around the next generation of students.

The retreat provided a nurturing environment for individuals to explore and deepen their understanding of relationships. Discourses rooted in the ancient wisdom of the Narada Bhakti Sutra shed light on the essence of love, devotion and mutual respect within partnerships. Retreaters were guided to cultivate 12 virtues essential for fostering strong and harmonious relationships, empowering them to become better partners.

Each day at the retreat was a blend of introspective practices and meaningful actions. Friday evening started off with an introductory discourse and discussion groups. Saturday morning commenced with a  revitalizing yoga session, promoting physical well-being and inner harmony. The afternoon was dedicated to seva activities, including tree planting and community clean-up efforts, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and service. Saturday evening was adorned with soulful bhajans in the serene surroundings of the Amarnath shrine creating moments of spiritual connection and reflection. On Sunday, retreaters were encouraged to share their learnings with each other. The retreat culminated with participants leaving with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper commitment to nurturing their relationships.

Chinmaya Mission Lathikata organized a Youth Camp for the teenagers with 130 participants, on the topic ‘Satyameva Jayate’ based on the story of legend child Nachiketa on 6 May 2024 at Chinmaya Seva Project, Lathikata.

Inaugurating the Camp, Swami Kevalananda spoke on the Camp Theme ‘Satyameva Jayate’ and expounded critically on the different important aspects of Nachiketa’s life. He was about 5 years old when he set the noble goal to find out what is the ultimate Truth of Life. Moving on, Swami Kevalananda told the youngsters “It is your intensity of desire that transforms your life from ordinary to extraordinary like Nachiketa, the inspired child of ancient India who discovered the greatest truth of life.”

Swamini Rishipriyananda told the campers, “When you move with truthfulness and love in your heart, nothing becomes impossible and you achieve more than you expected.”

The Camp witnessed many other varieties of activities that were interesting, educating and highly enjoyable, like a Yoga session for fitness of health taught by Swamini Rishipriyananda and Yoga teachers of Chinmaya Vidyalaya; an interesting and informative Quiz & Essay Competition conducted on the Camp Theme and the Life of Param Pujya Gurudev; the campers also participated in intellectual Games and the absorbing Cultural Programmes by the participants.

The Camp came to an end with the sharing of camp impressions, distributing of prizes and Swastipatha.

Devotees from Chinmaya Mission Centres of Nairobi, Mombasa and Kampala connected virtually to celebrate the 108th Jayanti of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, as one East Africa family.