Chinmaya Mission Ponda Invites You for Shrawan Sadhana (Discourses in Hindi)
Topic:
By H.H. Swami Sughoshananda (Chinmaya Mission Ponda)
Address:
Chinmaya Aradhana Ashram, Near LIC Office, Khadpabandh, Ponda Goa.
Chinmaya Mission Centres & Acharyas Worldwide
Blessed Self,
Hari Om! Salutations!!
Chinmaya Aradhana Day, the day of Pujya Gurudev’s Mahasamadhi is an opportunity to:
With this vision, we in CCMT would like to share the following with you:
1. A YouTube video which captures the spirit of Pujya Gurudev’s life
2. An Infographic Timeline where words, images and videos
We invite you all to take part in this novel and unique experience in celebrating the life of our beloved Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayanandaji, and in furthering His Vision.
Unto Him Our Best
In His Service
Manisha Khemlani
COO, CCMT
Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Nileshwar which is in Kerala.
The Jayanti celebrations of our beloved Pujya Guruji were held in great festive spirit at Chinmaya Mission Visakhapatnam Steel Township (Ukkunagaram).
The ashram was decorated with toranams and arrangements for Guruji’s 64th Jayanti celebrations were made on sunday Jun 29th. The next day, Chinmaya family members started gathering at the ashram by 9.30am and all performed Paduka puja of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda maharaj.
All of us sang the wonderful and most moving bhajan composed by Pujya Guruji, ‘Gurudev tava mahaneeya krupa’ . . . We were reminded of both of the Masters through this Bhajan.
We had decided that we should do shastra adhyayana on this holy and sacred day. All of us did parayana in Samskrit of the various texts we had seen so far in our daily Satsangs, Devi Group and Study group classes.
After this we all watched the excellent video of love and gratitude offered by Smt Sushila Acharya and team that CCMT was kind enough to share with all of us. . “Wishing You a Very Happy Birthday Guruji 64th birthday”. . we felt happy that we were joining the Chinmaya Family from all over the world in singing and expressing our gratitude to this great and loving Master. We also watched last year’s jayanti song as well as a few other videos of Pujya Guruji along with His loving expressions.
The celebrations came to an end with distribution of sumptuous prasad to all. We went back home, our hearts full of love and gratitude.
Parent’s Orientation on 25th June 2014
Parent’s Orientation was conducted to parents on 25th June 2014. All parents & some Grandparents also attended the program. The hall was packed to its full capacity by eager & curious parents. The program started off with a prayer by the teachers. The principal Smt Shubhalaxmi Naik, welcomed the participants and talked about the school – timings, rules & regulations. Swamini Ujjwalananda explained the unique features of the Vidyalaya – the CVP very briefly and how will it be implemented in this Vidyalaya:
Salient features:
GAYATRI HAVAN AT NV CHINMAYA VIDYALAYA
Before Vidyarambham, seeking the grace of Veda Mata Sri Gayatri Devi, illumines our intellect and prepares us for receiving knowledge. Gayatri Havan at NV Chinmaya Vidyalaya began at 7:30 am on Sunday, 29th June at the present school premises. Under the supervision of Swamini Ujjwalananda, and guidance of Brni Snehal Chaitanya of Chinmaya Mission Nagpur, 4 havan kunds were prepared to ensure that all Thayis, Dadas, children and their parents could take part in the Havan.
The Thayis and Dadas of school ensured that there was order and equal participation by all in the Havan. The parents and children offered havis to the Agni with utmost Bhakti. Parents were grateful for being given this opportunity to actively contribute to the Vidyarambham of their children. The meaning and reason for each ritual preformed during the havan was explained in detail by Brni Snehal Chaitanya. Positive vibrations filled the air as the Havan concluded with Aarti to Lord Vinayaka and Gurudev for their grace and blessings in this new endeavor.
After attending the Orientation Program & the Gayatri Havan on two consecutive Sunday, the parents were very happy and conveyed the happiness, satisfaction & relief in the Vidyalaya opening in their town. They also said – we fell like it is our family program & we don’t feel like outsiders, we feel a sense of belonging here.
INAUGURATION OF NV CHINMAYA VIDYALAYA AND NV SHISHU VIHAR
The much awaited inauguration function of the NV Chinmaya Vidyalaya and Shishu Vihar, Shegaon was held on Monday, 30th June 2014. It was well received by the locals and was evident in their attendance with around 150 eager parents and children attending, despite it being a working day. The function started off by receiving Swamini Vimalananda Amma with a Purnakumbha, who then hoisted and unfurled the Chinmaya Vidyalaya flag at the school premises. The enthusiastic teachers then rendered the invocation in the form of a Marathi prayer song, after which the blessings of Sant Gajanan Maharajji were sought by performing Arathi. The dignitaries present then lit the lamp, which symbolizes the light of knowledge illuminating our lives and bringing us out of the darkness of ignorance. This was followed by welcome and introduction to the dignitaries on the stage: Swamini Vimalananda Amma – Director of Chinmaya International Residential School Coimbatore and head of CCMT Education Cell, Dr. Madhusudhan Bhattad, Swamini Ujjwalananda Amma – Spiritual Guide of NV Chinmaya Vidyalaya and Shishu Vihar Shegaon.
Dr.Madhusudhan Bhattad shared his inspiration behind the formation of the school. It was the fulfillment of his father’s dream, who believed that providing education is the highest form of Seva to the society. Swamini Ujjwala Amma then highlighted the vision for the school and how it will be a school with a difference. The school is based on four pillars – Integrated Development, Patriotism, Indian Culture and Universal outlook, which will facilitate the children to blossom in all spheres, much like the blooming of a flower.
Amma’s presentation was concluded with the introduction of the Principal – Smt.Shubhalaxmi Naik. The Principal went on to introduce her team of Thayis and Dadas to the audience. Pankaj Dada shared his feelings on being a part of the NV CV family, and one of the students shared her excitement of joining the school.
Swamini Vimalananda Amma blessed the school with the Aashirvachana. She emphasized on the importance of investing IN the child along with ON the child, so that they come out ready to face life. She mentioned the role that is played by both the parents and teachers in shaping the future of the child. The parents could connect with everything that she spoke of and were convinced that they had made the right choice by enrolling their children in NV CV. This was followed by Param Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s Ashtotaram and Arathi to seek his divine grace. The program concluded with the Chinmaya Mission Pledge and the National Anthem. Prasad and snacks were arranged for all present.
DAY 1 AT NV CHINMAYA VIDYALAYA AND NV SHISHU VIHAR
It was the first day of NV Chinmaya Vidyalaya and Shishuvihar , Shegaon – a much awaited day for the newly appointed Thayis and Dadas after undergoing intense teachers training over the past two months. Day1 at school began with the Assembly
The enthusiastic tiny tots and the eager Vidyalaya students started their first day by invoking the Lord’s name and learning an action bhajan. The children were welcomed with flowers and sweets as they proceeded to start a bright, happening and a great learning year at Vidyalaya and Shishuvihar.
For the Play group & Nursery the first week the are classes along with one of the parent & only for an hour. Activities were designed which required the participation of both parent & child.
Confirmed Admission
| Male | Female | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play Group | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Nursery | 19 | 18 | 37 |
| Junior KG | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Senior KG | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| 1st std | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2nd std | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 3rd std | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 4th std | 6 | 2 | 8 |
| Total | 47 | 29 | 76 |
Jamnagar celebrated Guru Purnima with Paduka Pooja. Balvihar children enjoyed their activity and story time.
Swamini Vimalanandaji conducted a three day discourses in Meerut from 20th to 22nd January 2014 at Shiv Mandir. In evening session, the topic was Sure Mantras of Success, while in the morning she addressed the audience on Bodh Sar three Shlokas written by Swami Tejomayanandajis.She elaborately explained the three keys of success and their co-ordination. She also addressed the student of Vidya Global School and Dewan Public School on success days. In spite of inclement wealth the audience was extremely satisfactory.
“Our inner relationship or bond of love with the Guru is actually the unity we feel towards our own True Self – the Atman.”
Guru Poornima was celebrated in the mission on 12th July evening from 6.30 pm. The altar was decorated beautifully with flowers. Samashti Paduka puja was done by all devotees. The Guru Parampara puja was done at the altar by Sri. R S Kalra, Sri. B L Binani, Smt. Bimla Sahay, Smt. Ila Shah. Archana was done with Ashtothara Sathanamaavali of Shri Maharshi Ved Vyasa. Smt. J Pillai guided the puja. After the puja Ms. Sobha, Gayatri and Vijaya Lakshmi performed a dance on Guru Paduka Stotram. CHYK members did Guru Bhajan and the celebrations concluded with prasad distribution.
Vedanta teaches us about the nature of the universe and how everything in the universe is a merely a reflection of the same unchanging, omnipotent, omnipresent, and conscious Truth. Vedanta teaches us how to live in, interact with, and find happiness in the world. This universal Truth is visible everywhere. We can even see it in the periodic table of the elements. How can the periodic table of the elements teach us about spirituality? How can it teach us about the “Oneness” that Vedanta indicates?
Matter: we can see it all around us. But someone long ago wanted to know what actually constitutes this matter. People eventually found out that the organic matter we can see is in fact made up of small living cells, tiny components of every living thing. It was then discovered that all matter, organic and inorganic, is made up of small things called atoms. Eventually we discovered something even subtler than that: particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. From the gross matter, we went all the way down to the subtle, subatomic level.
Protons, neutrons, and electrons are within every speck of matter in existence. The only difference between objects is the arrangement of different kinds of atoms within them. The constituent particles remain the same. What does an atom look like? All atoms are made up of a proton-neutron nucleus and electrons that orbit the nucleus. These electrons orbit the nucleus at various energy levels. The number of “outer electrons” in an atom determines its stability. The atoms of most elements are unstable. Their nature is to move towards stability. They achieve stability by constantly attempting to give electrons to or take electrons from other atoms. Elements that are inherently stable have no need to give or take electrons and are known as the noble elements. These noble elements are completely stable and unreactive. Even in the presence of highly reactive elements, a noble element will remain unaffected and will not react.
At this atomic level, we notice a parallel between chemistry and Vedanta.
Neutrons have no charge and are inactive; they represent the tamasic guna. Electrons are negatively charged and are always on the move: they represent the rajasic guna. The protons are positively charged, they are not agitated, but at the same time, not inactive. They are sattvic and attract the rajasic electrons. The elements represent all humans, and each person has all three gunas in varying combinations. Many humans are unsatisfied and are constantly seeking stability. However, there are a handful of realized human beings who have achieved stability similar to that of the noble elements. They are unreactive in all human encounters, and other human beings strive to be like them.
Atoms that are only one electron away from achieving noble configuration are the most eager to become noble. Similarly, when a person is at the cusp of Self-Realization, he/she will avoid all other distractions and stop at nothing to achieve that peaceful mental state.
It is extremely difficult to artificially make a noble element unstable by removing or adding an electron. Once a human being is self-realized, the tumultuous agitations of the world cannot sway them.
As humans, we seek happiness and stability. But how should we seek happiness? Just like the elements of the periodic table, our goal should be to become noble. The atoms of noble elements have the smallest size. This is analogous to a highly reduced ego in a noble person. Just as other elements strive to achieve the ideal configuration of a noble element, humans should attempt to reduce their egos to become noble.
Compounds of atoms that we see in everyday life are created when atoms bond in many different ways. Atoms bond with the sole purpose of reaching that stable, content state. Sometimes they share electrons and sometimes they give electrons away to other atoms. As human beings, we must bond with other human beings with the intent to reach that peaceful state by sharing our spiritual wealth.
The action, or karma, of the atom is chemical bonding to attain stability. In this process, the atoms exhaust their agitations by trading electrons. Once atoms achieve a stable configuration, they are no longer agitated.
The lesson for human beings is to perform the right karma to exhaust their tendencies or vāsanās and become like a noble person, or Mahātma.
Chinmaya Mission’s Vedanta institutes for spiritual studies were named by founder Swami Chinmayananda as ‘Sandeepany’-s (pronounced saan-dee-panee). He said, ‘Sandeepany symbolizes the perfect kindling and the kindling of Perfection in the hearts of men.’ In ancient times, the great sage, Maharishi Sandeepani, headed a gurukula, where spiritual knowledge, scriptural teachings, martial arts, and all aspects of learning were imparted to resident disciples. Gurukulas were much more than today’s boarding school and the students stayed under the tutelage, protection, and nurturing of their guru for approximately ten years. Students and their guru resided together as a family. Maharishi Sandeepani’s most famed disciple was none other than Lord Krishna. Swami Chinmayananda thus chose ‘Sandeepany’ as Chinmaya Mission’s first Vedantic learning and spiritual training academy in Mumbai, India. This title later came to be used generically for all of the Mission’s Vedantic institutes, which sprouted in various parts of India and offer two-year residential training in the respective regional languages.