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To understand anything is to find in it something which is our own.
-Swami Chinmayananda
Archival News/Other News
CHYK West National Youth Retreat
A hush fell over the Shruti Mandir as Swami Swaroopananda entered for the opening ceremony on 19 September morning. The energy in the room tangibly shifted as he took his seat and introduced the camp theme, the Art of Mindshift. The attendees clung eagerly to his every word.
Through intricate and humorous stories and analogies, campers learned that their minds are the cause of their successes and failures. The mind is both their bondage and their liberation. As is the mind, so is the world. Keeping the mind positive doesn’t require a drastic change, but rather a series of small shifts. For every experience in life, if one can learn from it, and master the art of right contact with it, then one can transform from a victim of circumstance to a master of destiny.
In the tranquility of dawn, Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya guided attendees through invigorating yoga, a silent contemplative nature walk and meditation by the “Eel Ganga” river. Through spirited workshops, Brahmachari Hari Chaitanya taught everyone how to identify the origin, nature and result of fostering an “Us” mindset instead of an “I” mindset. Amongst the Redwood giants, Brahmacharini Sanjana guided everyone through identifying the Gurus around them during the Lookout Trail Hike at Richardson Grove forest. Brahmachari Darshan Chaitanya’s energetic, informal satsangs provided a global perspective on CHYK. Brahmachari Soham Chaitanya elevated everyone’s minds through a divine Gayatri Homam puja, concluding aptly with the pink and orange hues of the rising sun.
In the evenings, the retreat attendees connected with the rich cultural heritage of Bharat through an energetic night of garba and dandiya. Campers also witnessed firsthand the preservation of this culture by fellow members of Chinmaya Yuva Kendra during the remarkable Cultural Program, packed with talented campers singing, dancing and playing their instruments. Words can only attempt to, but can’t fully capture, the essence of Pujya Swami Chinmayananda’s legacy that reverberated through every moment of this experience. The attendees are eternally grateful to the teachers, organizers, and volunteers whose dedication is the reason that camps like the National CHYK retreat exist, and they aspire to similarly carry the vision forward for generations to come.
Suktam Chanting in Hosur
Chinmaya Devi Group Hosur organised Sri Suktam, Durga Suktam and Medha Suktam chanting classes by Swami Shashvatananda at Smt. Rajeswari Sathiyanarayanan’s home at Sai Srushti Sangamam gated community.
The class was planned as two hours on three days for two weeks. Swami Shashvatananda introduced the 16 participants to Vedic chanting by giving the clear difference between shloka and Vedic Chanting. He taught in such a way that it was easy for everyone to chant. He also explained how Vedic chanting is the greatest seva one does to oneself and to the society.
On the concluding day all three Suktams were chanted and Pujas for Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati Devis were performed. Mahaprasadam was served to all.
The whole house reverberated with the Vedic Mantras and the participants felt blessed that they had the chance to attend such classes.
Hanuman Chalisa talks in Bengaluru
Swamini Kashikananda of Chinmaya Mission’s Mysore Centre conducted a Jnana Yajna in Sharada Mandir, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Koramangala from 22 to 28 September 2024, teaching the Hanuman Chalisa.
The Yajna was inaugurated by Smt and Shri K M Rajagopal, senior members of Chinmaya Mission. Swamini Kashikananda gave a beautiful explanation of Hanuman’s glory and significance through several examples not only from Ramayana but also connected his innumerable values with the help of daily examples and life of saints and luminary personalities.
The greatness of Hanuman lies in his total unconditional surrender to the Lord and dedicating every action to Him. Although possessing immense physical strength, he never used it for any selfish or personal purpose, dedicating it solely to the Lord’s work. This single action saw him rise to divinity and today there are more Hanuman temples than Lord Rama temples. Mere chanting of Hanuman Chalisa with all sincerity has been responsible for overcoming several obstacles and many devotees have found meaning to their lives.
The Yajna was well attended.
Janmashtami Celebrations in Bengaluru
Krishna Janmashtami was observed on 26 August 2024 with daylong celebrations commencing with early morning abhisheka, special puja and alankara to the chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama, Mukundamala and Bhajans, followed by Vishnu Homa and a chariot procession in the evening. The programme consisted of evening abhisheka, special puja and midnight arati.
The highlight also included a visit of the Utsava Murti to the Chinmaya Mission Hospital in the evening before the chariot procession, with the Lord blessing the hospital and all patients for speedy recovery. The entire proceedings were led by Swami Brahmananda whose divine presence added purity, elegance and euphony to the atmosphere. The temple complex wore a festive look with flower decoration and illumination along with hundreds of devotees chanting bhajans and stotras throughout the day. The day saw an unusual rush of visitors from various parts of the city.
The celebrations started on 20 August with daily morning special puja and archana followed by evening puja, archana and classical musical programmes from different devotee groups across the city. Participation on all the days was good with thousands of devotees visiting to receive the Lord’s blessings.
Chinmaya Aradhana Yajna & Puja in Bengaluru
Swami Krutatmananda of Hubballi and Dharwad Centres conducted the Chinmaya Aradhana Yajna in Deenabandhu Temple, Indiranagar from 28 July to to 3 August 2024, teaching Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4. The Yajna was inaugurated by Smt Gundamma, senior member of Chinmaya Mission.
Swami Krutatmananda paid tribute to Pujya Swami Chinmayananda who single handedly was responsible not only to revive and kindle interest amongst hundreds of thousands of sadhaks to take up study of the scriptures but also become torch bearers to continue his Jnana Prachar work. In this context he noted how Shri Krishna’s declaration of taking avatar to rejuvenate declining values in society has been proved by the fact that our Sanatana Dharma is kept alive through sincere dedicated work of several realised Masters. Although the Lord fulfils the prayer of devotees, we should not forget that we create the blueprint of our life through our own actions. It is very difficult to understand how our karmas decide our future and it is important that we indulge only in noble actions to ensure that a healthy and strong society based on moral values is built.
Pujya Swami Chinmayananda’s 31st Mahasamadhi was observed on 3 August 2024 with Rudrabhisheka, Paduka Puja and Bhajans followed by the last day of the Yajna that was attended by several devotees from all over the city.
Dussehra & Matru Puja in Trichy
The South Indian tradition of displaying Golu bommai during Navaratri was celebrated at Chinmaya Arangam, Trichy. Puja, Stotras and Bhajans formed part of the festivities. The festival celebrations were also held at Chinmaya Vidyalaya and various Bala Vihars in Trichy.The Parents love the Matru Puja in particular, and feel happy and touched by it, saying that it is the need in the present times to inculcate this culture in children.
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“Success Without Stress” at Adoni
Chinmaya Yuva Kendra Adoni organised a one day Youth Camp on Sunday 1 September 2024 on the theme SUCCESS WITHOUT STRESS.
Sessions were conducted by Brahmachari Narayana Chaitanya and Brahmachari Harish Chaitanya (Chinmaya Vidyalaya Nellore, Andhra Pradesh) along with CHYKs and a team of Sevaks. 35 youth from various colleges across Adoni enthusiastically attended the camp, despite rains.
Swamini Supriyananda’s Visit to Singapore
Swamini Supriyananda (Chinmaya Mission Hong Kong) delighted the Singapore devotees with her presence from 26 June to 1 July 2024.
From taking seekers through Empowering Love in Narada Bhakti Sutra to Dynamic Living through Karma Yoga, and finally to the moment of Surrender in Upades Sara, she prodded them to reflect on the teachings simply but effectively.
Members of Chinmaya Mission Singapore had a wonderful Hanuman Chalisa chanting session at the Centre on 22 June which invigorated the devotees to start regular monthly chanting sessions.
On 30 June they commemorated the Guru Parampara with a Bhajan Sandhya where Swamini Supriyananda gave an explanation of the bhajans. The Swaranjali Group, along with the youth, sang melodious bhajans and transported all to a Divine realm, at the Guru’s Feet.
Monsoon Weekend Camp at Kolwan
From 9 to 11 August 2024, Chinmaya Mission Mumbai organised a special monsoon weekend camp with Shri Hanuman at Chinmaya Vibhooti! With talks by Swami Swatmananda on “Sankat Mochan”, icebreakers, japa, meditation, group discussion and evening aarti, the camp was an absolute treat for the 50 delegates, who cherished the moments spent in lush nature, far from the hustle and bustle of city life. One of the camp highlights was a spiritually-charged Hanuman Havan at Chinmaya Maruti Mandir, planned and explained by Swami Swatmananda so that each one got the most out of the powerful experience. The feedback for the whole camp was outstanding and the campers are already looking forward to the next such opportunity.
