Chinmaya Mission, Cleveland began with humble inception on January 18th, 2014. From meagre curious families that gathered that day, it has steadily grown to a solid community of almost 60 committed families over the last five years. With Gurudev’s blessings and Vivekji’s guidance the Cleveland Chapter has had tremendous opportunities to attend Vedanta in Ramayana classes, Bala Vihar classes and be part of various study groups, regularly.
In the true spirit of Guru-Shishya parampara, their focus has been knowledge, service and spiritual evolution. Three study groups meet every Thursday and have had privilege to formally study great texts like Self Unfoldment, Moha Mudgara, Atma Bodha and Upadesa Sara. Many seekers from Cleveland have been part of Advanced Vedanta course, Bhagvad Gita course and currently studying Meditation and Life on Tuesdays. The Cleveland Chapter has steadily grown in organizing various programs too. Such programs have included week long Jnana Yagnas on Hanuman Chalisa and Patanjali Yoga sutras, Chalisathon and Children camps. The Chapter has successfully organized two Weekend Family retreats and a Marriage retreat. Other inspirational programs have included- Beyond Bullying workshop, Devi workshop, Seva events and Yuva events. Some of the members have been fortunate to be part of Silence retreats and Chinmaya Inspiration Yatras organized by Vivekji.
With Vivekji’s guidance, its first fundraiser was organized in November 2018 and was able to raise more than $50,000 due to generous contribution from community. The Chapter’s vision is to have its own Ashram in near future. Cleveland Chinmaya community is inspired, committed and dedicated to live with ageless Vedantic vision and it is poised to spread it’s wings further with blessings of Gurudev.
