Chinmaya Mission Portland (Chinmaya Haridwar) was privileged to host the 6th National Parenting Retreat from 26 May to 28 May 2023 under Shri Vivek Gupta. ”Vision of Growth” was the focus for the Retreat and Shri Vivek Gupta explored this topic through Swami Tejomayananda’s ‘Jivanasutrani – Tips for Happy Living’.

Once a parent, one is a parent forever – parenthood can be equated to perpetual opportunities to get better, a Yoga.

70 adults and 35 children from across the US and Canada attended the camp and enjoyed age-appropriate programmes and family fun activities. The campers enjoyed Yoga sessions, meditation, bhajans, soccer in the park and movie nights in between parenting workshops. Chinmaya Yuva Kendra sevaks (volunteers) assisted by high schoolers were running parallel workshop sessions for elementary and middle school campers. CM Portland’s ‘Shadras’ kitchen offered sumptuous meals throughout the camp.

The camp also facilitated the Upanayana Samskara for 16 children under Shri Vivek’s guidance. Volunteers enabled enough practice sessions for the batus/vatus to familiarize themselves with the Sandhyavandana vidhi (evening prayer practice) thus empowering them to practice on their own once the camp ends.

Youth of CM Portland organized the annual CORD walk during the camp, emphasizing Daana (charity) for a higher cause. The walk raised $12,000 towards Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development, for women empowerment projects.

The camp concluded with some take-ways for parents of all ages and with plans to meet again for the next Parenting Camp.

report by camp attendee – Aparna Easwar

On this auspicious Guru Purnima day, that is 3 July 2023, devotees from all corners of the world united in reverence to express their gratitude to the worship Guru. With joyful fervor, they gathered to honour the divine wisdom that flowed from these spiritual masters, illuminating lives and guiding seekers on the path of self-realization. Through soul-stirring discourses, devotional chants, and selfless service initiatives, the celebration echoed the teachings of Swami Chinmayananda, spreading love, compassion and knowledge to uplift humanity. As the light of wisdom shone brightly, the global Chinmaya family embraced unity, harmony and the timeless bond between Guru and disciple.

For a glimpse into global celebrations, take a look at the video presentation at this link:

https://fb.watch/lMC68HMnsJ/

Swamini Kashikananda of Koramangala Centre in Bengaluru conducted a Satsang on ‘Glory of Ramayana’ in Malleswaram on 4 June 2023 to observe the 27th Punyatithi of Brahmaleen Swamini Darshanananda who left her mortal body on 2 June 1996 after a very purposeful life serving Chinmaya Mission in various capacities in different Centres of Karnataka. The programme consisted of bhajans and chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama followed by Satsang in the divine presence of Swamini Sampannananda.

Swamini Kashikananda highlighted the significance of Ramayana as applicable to the modern generation, referring to Rama, Sita, Bharata, Lakshmana, Guha, Jatayu and Hanuman. We should study Ramayana not just as a story, but try to learn the underlying message that each great hero is trying to convey. Even the negative characters have a lot to convey, warning us of our possible downfall if we neglect to watch our mind that always tries to run behind the outer attractive world. Every human relation – son, brother, husband, wife, devotee, enemy – is dealt with in the epic showing clearly the ideal behaviour that has no parallel.

Lord Rama, throughout the epic, led the life of an ordinary human being, never exhibiting divine powers, showing the entire humanity that righteous living in accordance with Dharmic principles can raise a human to a divine status. Every hero in the epic – even those who appear for a very short duration – convey tremendous morals, creating an impact. Progress on the spiritual path is not a cakewalk; it needs immense patience, perseverance, sincerity and dedication.

The Satsang was well attended by local devotees.

Swami Gahanananda of Chinmaya Mission Tumkur conducted a Gita Jnana Yajna in Kannada from 1 June 2023 to 8 June 2023 on ‘The Greatness of Bhakti’ based on chapters 7, 9 and 12 of Bhagavad Gita, at Chinmaya Mission Vijayanagar. The Yajna was inaugurated in the presence of senior members of Chinmaya Mission.

Swami Gahanananda explained that many mistake Bhakti to be just an act of worship, temple visit or a pilgrimage. But the true meaning of Bhakti is unconditional, pure, unflinching love towards the Lord. The Lord’s grace is always available, but it is necessary to develop a pure heart worthy of receiving it without any complaints and criticism. True Bhakti is the understanding that peace of mind is not in the outer world, but our very nature which is the inner silence that is the true abode of the Lord. Spiritual progress never depends on our birth. What is important is our sadhana (spiritual practice) with sense control and total surrender to the Lord.

Several devotees participated and derived benefit from the Yajna.

Chinmaya Mission Ahmedabad celebrated the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra on 20th June with splendor and devotion. A special puja of all three deities – Lord Jagannath, Lord Bhalbhadra, and Devi Subhadraji was performed. The deities began their journey in the wooden chariot specially made at Jagannath Puri, Odisha in the evening which was welcomed at different places in the temple surroundings by the devotees. The Lord was welcomed with special aarti and offered naivedya. Devotees sang kirtans and played garba and the temple was resounded with the sounds of Jai Ranchhod Makhanchor and Krishna Murari Jai Krishna Murari. The Yatra came to completion at the temple again after an hour and a half, and all the devotees present there felt His presence in their hearts and prayed for more devotion.

A relief campaign that was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the government’s healthcare activities across India has culminated in a great capacity enhancement of medical oxygen.

The ‘Each One Reach One’ campaign of Chinmaya Mission, under the guidance of Swami Swaroopananda (Global Head) – among other social service projects – sought to fill the gap where there was scarce-supply oxygen cylinders and medical equipment at hospitals, to in turn alleviate the suffering of millions.

Today, an Oxygen Plant that has been donated to the Kasaragod General Hospital by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, was inaugurated by Shri Rajmohan Unnithan, M.P., with the chairmanship of Shri N. A. Nellikkunnu – a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Kerala.

The welcome address by the Municipal Chairman, Shri V M Muneer, was followed by the lighting of a lamp and an overview by Swami Viviktananda, the Regional Head of Chinmaya Mission Kerala.

Dr Manisha Khemlani, CEO of Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, received felicitations on the milestone, and addressed the gathering. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Jamal Ahmed, Superintendent of the Hospital.

Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth (CVV) has obtained permission from the All India Council for Technical Education to establish our esteemed CVV Institute of Science and Technology.

We also have an update on the construction of our new campus, including a sneak peek at the finished campus as envisioned by our architects!

View these videos:

https://youtu.be/0gAAG3IyOAs

https://youtu.be/0gAAG3IyOAs

A few highlights:

Our standout feature – The Chellaram Academic Block! Spanning an impressive 2,85,000 square feet it will house modern classrooms, labs, assembly halls and more! Completion is expected by September 2024.

Exciting hostel progress! By August 2023, we will have fully completed hostels for 400 residents, fostering a nurturing student environment.

Fresh beginnings! We have inaugurated landscaping with the first trees planted on our campus. Over 5000 saplings and trees will transform our surroundings into a lush and green haven.

We have had the honour of hosting esteemed donors at the campus and eagerly anticipate welcoming more in the months ahead.

Join us in making CVV a shining symbol of educational excellence.

Warmest wishes,

CVV Team

Chinmaya Mission Ahmedabad organized a Gyan Yagna by Swami Avyayananda ji on Narad Moha prasang from Shri Ramcharitmanas. Swamiji expounded on the teachings from the incident and provided wonderful insights. With examples of Ma Parvati ji’s undeterred faith in Devarshi Narada ji as a Guru, Swamiji pointed out that there is much to learn in the Ramcharitmanas in order to progress on the path of spirituality. He also explained the significance and the reason for Lord Shri Rama’s avatar. The 4-day long yagna from 5th to 8th June was daily attended by more than 200 devotees at ParamDham temple of Chinmaya Mission Ahmedabad.

Activities in Bengaluru during May 2023

Gita Jnana Yajna in V V Puram

Pujya Swami Adityananda of Mandya center conducted a Gita Jnana Yajna in Kannada from 11/05/2023 to 16/05/2023 taking Bhagavad Gita for Daily Life in Prashanta Ganapati Temple, Prashantanagar. The Yajna was inaugurated by Pujya Swamiji himself in the presence of temple trustees.

Pujya Swamiji focused his discourse on chapters 7 to 12 stressing the need to understand that meaningful living is possible only when sincerely understand that outer world cannot be held responsible for our condition. We ourselves create heaven or hell in the present life with our reactions to individuals, objects & situations that just should be accepted as they are using our viveka. This is possible only when we develop a vision of oneness experiencing the Lord / Self in all manifest world of plurality accepting the fruits of our actions as His will and continuing to perform selfless actions for the benefit of society.

The Yajna was a grand success with participation of sincere devotees.

 Deenabandhu Pratishta Day and Pujya Gurudev’s 107th Jayanti

Deenabandhu Kalia Mardha Krishna temple’s Pratishta and Pujya Gurudev’s Jayanti were jointly celebrated on Sunday, 7th May, 2023 in Deenabandhu Krishna Temple with the usual religious fervour. The panchamruta abhisheka of the presiding deity Kalia Mardhana Krishna along with Ganesha and Hanuman was done to the chanting of Purusha Suktam, Narayana Suktam, Vishnu Sahasranama, Bhruguvalli, Deenabandhu Ashtakam, Mukundamala and Madhurashtakam followed by bhajans.

 The entire temple complex wore a festive atmosphere with flower decoration and devotees moving around chanting stotrams and bhajans.

The entire programme was divinised by the presence of all Karnataka Acharyas. Pujya Swami Brahmananda blessed the gathering highlighting the significance of sincere devotion along with Pujya Gurudev’s contribution in spreading the message of scriptures and the Bhagavad Geeta as Art of Living to the common people.

The highlight of the function was Paduka Puja of twelve pairs of Guru Padukas that were later distributed by Pujya Swamiji to representatives of different areas of Bengaluru for conducting Paduka Puja in residences of devotees throughout 2023 – 2024 till May 2024 when Pujya Gurudev’s 108th Jayanti will be observed.