The serene Chinmaya Vibhooti, nestled in the picturesque Sahyadri range near Pune, recently hosted a Mindfulness and Meditation Retreat from 15 to 17 November 2024, welcoming over 65 seekers to pause their daily hustle and embrace a journey of mindfulness and self-discovery.

This retreat brought together a harmonious blend of Vedantic wisdom, neuroscience insights and Yoga practices expertly guided by Swami Swatmananda (Chinmaya Mission Mumbai), Dr. Sunitha Shanker (psychologist), and Smt. Anju Taparia (Yoga instructor and wellness coach).

Swami Swatmananda seamlessly integrated spiritual wisdom from the Gita and Swami Chinmayananda’s teachings with modern mindfulness practices. Dr. Sunitha complemented this with a scientific perspective on how the brain functions and offered practical tips to alter thinking patterns. Anju Taparia’s Yoga sessions provided participants an opportunity to connect mind and body, while the Yoga Nidra sessions at the end of each day offered a deeply restorative experience.

The sessions were not just theoretical and participants were guided first hand through meditation sessions. Participants also engaged in various activities to anchor themselves to the present moment, taking home practical tools in mindfulness to integrate into daily life.

The retreat featured powerful immersive sessions that participants described as life-changing and transformative, enabling them to attempt to let go of lingering regrets and ease future anxieties, paving the way for spiritual growth.

In addition to the sessions, participants enjoyed contemplative moments at unique spaces within Chinmaya Vibhooti, such as the Swanubhooti Vatika, which provided a tranquil environment to connect deeply with oneself.

By the end of the retreat, participants carried with them a peaceful energy, deeply inspired and equipped with renewed clarity to sustain mindfulness in their personal and professional lives.

From 7 to 23 November 2024, Chinmaya Vibhooti (the Vision Centre of Chinmaya Mission) was privileged to welcome the students of the 19th batch of the Vedanta Course in English, from Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai, accompanied by their Course Acharya Swami Advayananda.

The students brought with them additional blessings in the form of Swami Tejomayananda, Swami Swatmananda, and Brahmacharini Maitreyi Chaitanya, who graced Chinmaya Vibhooti with their presence and teachings for different segments, creating a spiritually charged environment.

Beyond the classroom, joyful memories were created through activities such as star gazing, a palkhi yatra, a classical music concert, trekking and a brilliant skit by the students that left everyone in splits!

Informal interactions with Swami Advayananda outside the Annashree after meals, was a highlight for the students as well as for the residents of Chinmaya Vibhooti. These spontaneous gatherings would often resound with laughter and were also filled with inspiring words of encouragement to nurture sadhana and swadhyaya.

Continuing a cherished tradition, the batch participated in a tree planting ceremony. As the tree takes root and flourishes, it will stand as living witness to the batch’s spiritual journey and the ever growing ‘vibhooti’ (glory) of Pujya Swami Chinmayananda.

BHASKER-Chinmaya Mission Kuwait hosted a 5-day Jnana Yajna (series of talks) from 6 to 10 November 2024, focusing on the theme “Divinising the Mind” based on Shiva Sankalpa Suktam.

Swami Avyayananda, in his signature insightful style, delved into the essence of the Suktam, offering deep reflections that resonated with the audience. It was a celebration of wisdom, devotion and the power of the divine word – a true testament to the power of knowledge and the transformative potential of ancient wisdom!

Adding to the week’s enriching activities, a family picnic was held at Wafra Farms. Swami Avyayananda met with Bala Vihar parents and spoke about the challenges of parenting in the 21st century and ways to overcome them. He also honoured the winners of the Gita Chanting Competition, recognizing their dedication to preserving and practicing sacred traditions.

This spiritually charged week left the Chinmaya family in Kuwait inspired and united in their journey toward self-growth.

A banner utilizing repurposed cloth material, was handed over like an Olympic torch for the next “Loving Earth” retreat to be held at Chinmaya Mission, Boston, MA. The doors have opened for an era of cultivating Prithvi Yoga.

“Words steer the mind and heart, revealing the Truth that uplifts and transforms,” said Swami Swaroopananda, Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, as he inaugurated the Ramnath Goenka Sahithya Samman 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 15 November 2024.

His remarks set the tone for an evening celebrating literature’s profound role in illuminating truth and shaping society. Honouring the legacy of Ramnath Goenka, the visionary founder of The New Indian Express, the event highlighted the responsibility of writers and journalists as truth-bearers.

Awards recognized excellence in fiction, non-fiction, and lifetime achievement, celebrating storytelling’s transformative power. Ruskin Bond received the Lifetime Achievement Award, with his granddaughter accepting on his behalf. The Non-fiction award went to journalist Neerja Chowdhury for How Prime Ministers Decide, praised for its depth and insight by jury chair Pavan Varma. Debut author Aishwarya Jha won the Fiction award for The Scent of Fallen Stars, a poignant tale of love and longing.

The evening underscored the enduring power of literature to entertain, challenge, and inspire change, honoring Goenka’s legacy of truth and integrity.

For highlights from Swami Swaroopananda’s address: 👉🏻https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2024/Nov/15/responsible-journalists-should-be-daring-and-courageous-to-convey-truth-swaroopanandaji#:~:text=Delivering%20his%20speech%20here%20as,the%20knowledge%20to%20the%20world.%22

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.

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.

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.

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.