Exciting news!!! By the Grace of the Lord and Pujya Gurudev our Chinmaya Mission has spread its wings further and opened our newest ashram in Perth, Australia.

In the auspicious presence of Pujya Swami Swaroopanandaji, puja and homa were performed in the early hours of the morning. Gurudev’s Paduka puja was conducted by Swami Aparokshananda and Swami Shrikarananda.

The opening was well attended by the local community and distinguished guests including the Indian Consulate General, Amit Mishra and the local member of parliament, Yaz Mubarakei.

Pujya Swamiji addressed the audience and bestowed the name ‘Chinmaya Prastha’ – The place where Chinmaya abides. A place where Pujya Gurudev’s presence can be felt and one can be immersed in the Bliss of Pure Consciousness.  Prastha also means to march or enter and Perth is the entry point from India to Australia. It also means a flat level expanse of land which perfectly describes the land on which the ashram is built.  He also mentioned that both Prastha and Perth start with a ‘P’.

The Indian community is growing in Perth and with the opening of the ashram will now be nourished with the ancient wisdom of Vedanta. Although Perth is known for its sandy terrain, Pujya Gurudev had visited in 1992 and moistened and cultivated the land and sown the seeds of Vedanta. Under the diligent care of Pujya Swamiji for the last 20 years, he has nurtured that sapling addressing crowds of up to 400 people. Now it has come to its full fruition with an ashram of more than 3 acres, amidst beautiful peaceful greenery. An ideal place for meditation and contemplation.

All are very excited and Pujya Swamiji will be in Perth conducting a 5 day discourse on Shri Ram Gita.

Swamins, Brahmacharins and Members of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide

Dear All,
Hari Om!

Shailaja Nadkarni Amma was a mentor and a mother figure at Chinmaya Mission Orlando. An ardent devotee and a committed disciple of Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayanandaji, her entire life was devoted to the Mission.

A practicing paediatric cardiologist, her meeting with Pujya Gurudev was a life transforming moment. With His blessings and spiritual force, she started a Bala Vihar. This tiny enterprise has since grown into a large centre, now catering to the spiritual needs of 300 devoted families.

A fountain of love, she was the instrument that touched and changed many a life.  She always described herself as, “a tiny instrument in Gurudev’s hands!” A perfect exemplar of his teachings, which she meticulously followed, she was engaged in spreading his message till her very end.

Shailaja Amma merged with the Lotus Feet of Pujya Gurudev and Her Beloved Lord at 1:50 am, on March 18, 2019 in Central Florida. In their hour of need, may Gurudev’s blessings guide and support her family, friends and admirers.

At His Feet,
Swami Swaroopananda

With deep regret we inform you of the demise of Ms Nirmala Challam (Nirmala aunty to hundreds of her Bala Vihar Children) on 3^rd March 2019 at Coimbatore. She was fortunate to have the blessings and guidance of Pujya Gurudev and spent her life serving HIM. Her ability to organise and conduct innumerable Bala Vihar classes in Mumbai has been so effective that today most of her Bala Vihar students have grown to be responsible positive contributors to the Mission. She lived a life dedicated to spreading love and supporting underprivileged children. Nirmal Challam was a pillar of the Mission in Mumbai and later moved to our Coimbatore ashram where she spent her life in contemplation. We pray for her Satgati at the lotus feet of Pujya Gurudev.

Chinmaya Setukari (CSK) Retreat in Durham, NC, “Led by Love, Lead by Love”

On President’s Day weekend (Feb 15^th-17^th, 2019), 67 Chinmaya Setukaris (CSKs) and 33 children participated in a Retreat titled “Led by Love, Lead by Love” conducted by Vivekji, Shankarji and Sumanji. Sumanji and Shankarji graduated from the 2016-2018 Vedanta Course in Trinidad under Swami Prakashananda. The retreat was hosted by Chinmaya Mission-Raleigh Durham and the CSK National Team.

CSKs are the bridge builders between the Yuva Kendra(young adult) and matured. Vivekji expressed the importance of CSKs embracing responsibilities. Through this retreat, attendees came together to learn how to invoke and live this vision. The theme of the retreat suggests that if we bring more love into our life, we will become more loving individuals. This was reflected through studying the Vibishana Gita, written by Sage Tulasidas with commentary by Swami Tejomayananda.

The scene of the Vibishana Gita is set during the Lanka Kanda in the Ramayana. After Ravana’s entire army and relatives are crushed, Bhagawan Rama and Ravana prepare for the final battle. Ravana arrives fully armed with sophisticated weaponry and his special war chariot, the Yuddha-ratha. While Bhagawan Rama arrives with just His quiver, a few bows and arrows and bare feet! Upon seeing this, Ravana’s brother, Vibhishana, is paralyzed with fear. Vibhishana then questions Bhagawan Rama about how He can defeat the physically-strong, well-equipped Ravana.

Bhagawan Rama lovingly imparts the Knowledge of His Dharma-ratha, Chariot of Dharma, to Vibishana. The Dharma-ratha includes all values which allows one to overcome the inner enemies and eventually leads to the true victory of fearlessness and love…

In order to make this knowledge most practical, Vivekji described the components of the Dharma-ratha, what value they represent and a simple take-away sadhana to remember:

In addition to Discourse, Discussion and Dialogue, retreat attendees also participated in skits, activities and athletics which helped them better understand how to incorporate the Vibishana Gita into their lives. One highlight was the “Food Creations Activity.” Participants were tasked with following simple recipes while engaging in an additional challenge (such as blindfolding, using only their dominant hand or chanting Mantras). Then, they discussed the importance of sattvic cooking and the promotion of a simple Indian cookbook facilitated by the CSKs coming out soon.

Overall, attendees learned that by practicing the values of the Vibishana Gita and embracing responsibilities, we can transform from Bishana (fearful) to Vibeshana (fearless) and learn to love what we are doing so we can love who we are becoming…

By: Lavanya Rao.

Swamins, Brahmacharins and Members of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide

in the holy precincts of Pujya Gurudev’s kutia, in Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai, 4 of our Brahmacharis took the holy vows of Sannyasa. They changed the colour of their robes to orange and dedicated themselves to spread Pujya Gurudev’s message. I am happy to announce their new names:

1. Br Sankarshan – Swami Sadashivananda (CM Brahmapur, Odisha)
2. Br Garga – Swami Omkarananda (CM Jagatpur, Cuttack, Odisha)
3. Br Janardhan – Swami Ramapriyananda (CM Balangir, Odisha)
4. Br Piyush – Swami Chidghanananda (CM Bhubaneswar, Odisha)

May Lord Jagadeeshwara and Pujya Gurudev’s grace and blessings be upon one and all.

A small video of the announcement of their new names can be viewed on the YouTube channel of Chinmaya Mission at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLPsN_ip36M&feature=youtu.be

I am also glad to inform that arrangements have been made to do a live webcast of the Aarati of Lord Jagadeeshwara at 6.30pm IST followed by Abhishek and Pujas. The Pujas conclude with Maha Aarati at midnight.

The link for the live webcast will be:

www.chinmayamission.com/live

Love,
At His Feet,

Swaroopananda

Jnana Yajna in J P Nagar

Pujya Swamini Sampratishthananda of Coimbatore centre conducted a Jnana Yajna in English on Bhagawan Shankaracharya’s Maneesha Panchakam from 30/12/2018 to 06/01/2019 at Sripaadakshetra, J P Nagar. The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri Purandhara Sharma, president of the Mission. The Yajna was organised as a part of the anniversary celebrations of Sripaadakshetra which completed 14 years of service to the spiritual fraternity on 01/01/2019.

Pujya Swamini Sampratishthananda explained how all differences that we perceive are because of delusion where the vision of divinity & oneness is absent and only division is seen. The realised Master sees the whole universe as Brahman alone where He and Brahman are complete – paripoorna with no limitations – The knower, known and knowing form the integrated combination to realise the supreme Truth. Brahman is the canvas on which Maya paints her creation using the three Gunas – Satwa, Rajas and Tamas. Maneesha Panchakam forms the essence of all Upanishads giving a complete analysis of Jiva, Jagat and Ishwara and the relationship through the four Mahavakyas giving complete clarity of the ssssSupreme Truth.

The Yajna was very well attended on all the days.

Gita Jnana Yajna in Nagarabhavi

Pujya Swami Gahanananda of Tumkur centre conducted a Gita Jnana Yajna in Kannada on Bhagavad Gita Chapter-12 at Twinklers’ Vidaniketan, Nagarabhavi from 07/01/2019 to 13/01/2019. The Yajna was inaugurated by noted social reformist and writer Smt Hemalata.

Pujya Swamiji explained that the Bhagavad Gita acts as a manual showing the right path to be followed when confronted with cross roads in life. A sadhak who is confused with respect to choice regarding paths of knowledge and action is given confidence with the fact that both lead to the same Ultimate Truth but prescribed for individuals with different temperaments. What is needed is sincere attempt and attitude of mind with a strong sankalpa to realise the Self. This will calm the mind and the sadhak will view the world with equanimity never getting disturbed by the dualities.

The Yajna was well attended on all days.

Gita Jnana Yajna in N R Colony

Pujya Swami Brahmananda conducted a Gita Jnana Yajna in Kannada on Bhagavad Gita Chapter – 5 from 21/01/2019 to 27/01/2019 at Sri Rama Mandira, N R Colony. The Yajna was inaugurated by well known philanthropist and tabala player Vidwan Sri Venkatatanarayan.

Pujya Swamiji stressed the fact that happiness can never be achieved from the outer world but a state of our own inner Self which is the experience of a calm and serene mind. It is a wrong notion that renunciation of action will lead to realisation. It is necessary to only renounce the feeling of doership and continue performing action benefitting mankind. All Mahatmas led such a life of intense action without being attached to the fruits standing rooted in the fact that they are separate from the body, mind and intellect.

The Yajna was a grand success with several sadhaks deriving benefit.

Annual Balavihar Competition

The Annual Chinmaya Balavihar competition for junior and senior children was held at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Koramangala on January 6, 2019. Pujya Swamini Sampratishthananda from Coimbatore lit the inaugural lamp for the Junior & Senior competitions. Smt Saroja Sridharan, Principal, Chinmaya Vidyalaya Koramangala graced the occasion.

In her Inaugural address, Swamini Amma spoke about the importance of learning shlokas and Stotrams in our daily life. She stressed that chanting the Shlokas and Stotrams given to us by our Gurus helps us to become pure.

The topics for the competition were Krishnashtakam, Suryashtakam, Pratah Smaranam, Shiva Shadakshara Stotram, Bhagavad Gita Chapter-9, Achyutashtakam, Totakashtakam, Chinmayananda Shatkam,  Shivaparadha  Kshmapana Stotram,  Mankutimmana Kagga and Mantra Pushpam along with Storytelling both in English and Kannada. About 1200 children who participated in all these items left the Judges spellbound with their renditions, chanting and captivating stories.

In the holy presence of Pujya Swami Brahmanandaji, Smt Ranjitha Palanivelu and Smt Jyothi Krishnan, senior Mission members distributed the prizes.

Chinmaya Mission Tirunelveli organised the Balavihar winter camp on 23^rd  and 24^th  December 2018 at Chinmaya Vidyalaya and Pushpalatha schools. 207 children participated in the camp. During the camp they were introduced to traditional arts like Villupattu, Oyilattam, Olai art, Pottery, Kolattam, Reptile conservation and Cookery. Eminent people from the above fields introduced the arts and guided the children in performing. Also they had story telling and games sessions. Children thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and the feedback was very positive.

For More Camp Picture Click Here.

On September 11, 2016, a group of eager and devoted Chinmaya Mission Centres across North America began a journey to learn the vedantic teachings contained within the Ramayana. Led by Vivekji from Chinmaya Mission Niagara Falls, the Centres began their two and half year online study (approximately 70 classes), where they explored the key facets of the Ramayana.

Using Tulsidasji’s exquisite poetry of Ramacaritamanasa as the basis of the teachings, the glories of Lord Rama were studied in depth. Every Sunday for one hour, key verses of each of the seven kanda’s (chapters) were reviewed, analysed, interpreted and practical implications to our daily lives were shared.

Students learned that the virtues possessed by Lord Rama are a blessing to this world. Lord Rama is Infinite. Infinite are His virtues and the depth of His story is immeasurable. Those whose thoughts are pure will feel no surprise when they hear it.  Ramayana is an epic. Its purpose is to guide society. We learn how to be a good child, a dedicated student, a wonderful sibling, a loving caring spouse, a supportive friend, a defender of virtues, a noble contributing member of society and a great leader by studying its message. Various dharmas are taught in Ramayana and that is the reason why we need to study this great epic, so that we can better understand our own dharmas. Dharma brings everything together. One who follows dharma is protected. For all of us, dharma is by design. Each of us has a unique dharma designed by God. Currently, we live in our fears and insecurities, preventing us from seeing our dharma more clearly. By quieting the mind, turning inward, and following our dharma, we can be serene and strong. Dharma will protect us and others. Whatever your purpose is, dedicate yourself to that purpose. These were some of the main messages expounded in our study.

When the meaning of the name of Lord Rama is interpreted, we learned that the Ramayana is happening in ‘Our Own Body’. ‘Ra’ means light, ‘Ma’ means within me, in my heart. So, Rama means the Light within Me. When we bring the vedantic teachings of the Ramayana to ourselves, we learn that our soul is Rama, our mind is Sita, our breath or Life-Force (Prana) is Hanuman, our awareness is Lakshmana and our ego is Ravana.

When the mind (Sita), is stolen by the ego (Ravana), then the Soul (Rama) gets restless. Now the soul (Rama) cannot reach the mind (Sita) on its own. It has to take the help of the breath, the prana (Hanuman) by being in awareness (Lakshmana). With the help of the prana (Hanuman) and awareness (Lakshmana), the mind (Sita) is reunited with the soul (Rama) and the ego (Ravana) vanishes.

Students realized that those who have faith understand fate more fully. The more faith we have, the more fate reveals itself. There is an eternal debate about free will versus God’s will. For those who are less faithful, there is free will. For those who are more faithful, there is God’s will. When you become so faithful that you trust God’s will, you become unshakable. Even in an uncontrolled environment, one will be balanced and happy. Offer all that one has to Lord Rama with utmost sincerity. Hold on to the Divine, as Lord Rama assures us that whenever we remember Him, He will be with us.

There is from a powerful doha which highlights the importance of satsanga, “Binu satsanga na hari katha tehi binu moha na bhaga“. Without satsanga, there is no remembering Bhagavan. If we cannot bring Bhagavan into our lives, then moha (delusion) cannot run away. With sincere and steady prioritization of satsang and study of Ramayana, moha has no choice but to run away.

Om Tat Sat.

On the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, July 27^th, 2018, Devi Culture Study group started the study of Guru Stotram. The Devi Satsanga was held on a Friday once a month from 7.30 PM to 9.00 PM EST via Zoom under the guidance of Shri Vivek Gupta. Thirteen study groups with approximately six Devis per group participated from USA and Canada.

Each session started with 30 minutes of discourse, followed by a 30 minutes session of Q&A with Vivekji. After which, the individual Devi group discussed the two questions assigned by Vivekji among themselves. Reflection Adventure of the Month (RAM) was assigned after each session to reflect and engage upon.

Devis learnt the inner meaning of the Guru Stotram which emphasized the importance of a Guru in one’s life. The first semester ended on Dec 14^th, 2018 with each center giving a presentation describing the philosophy and the implementation aspects of each shloka in the Guru Stotram.

The study group was a fun filled means for the Devis to relax, reflect and discuss ways to resolve their everyday challenges using the knowledge gained. The Devis developed a sense of community, that enabled them to fortify the practical application of what was taught, into their day to day life. The Devi Culture Study Group will continue the study of Jagadish Arati in 2019.