Pujya Guruji’s Jayanthi was celebrated at Chinmaya Upasana on June 30th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Paduka Puja was done and many got the blessings. The Audio of Chinmaya Tejo Panchakam was played as tribute to Pujya Guruji. This Chinmaya Tejo Panchakam was composed by our Swami Krishnathmananda Saraswathiji .Chinmaya Swaranjali students of Chinmaya Upasana performed cultural programmes. Prasad was distributed to all.
Jnana Yajna by Pujya Swami Adityananda
Pujya Swami Adityananda of Mandya centre conducted a Jnana Yajna in Kannada at Sharada Mandir, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Koramangala, from 4th June 2017 to 11th June, 2017 taking Gita Sara (selected shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita by Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi). The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri K S Bhat, C E of Chinmaya Vidyalaya.
Pujya Swamiji stressed the fact that all misery in life is created because of our accepting what ‘I’ am really not as my real ‘ME’ and restricting the all pervading imperishable ‘Atman’ to the impermanent perishable body. The external world is nothing but a projection of our own mind and once we are able to calm the ever turbulent mind through continuous sadhana ‘Sat Chit Ananda’ that is our true nature becomes our very core of living without dependence on outer world of plurality.
The Yajna was well attended.
Gita Jnana Yajna by Pujya Swami Adityananda
Pujya Swami Adityananda of Mandya centre conducted a Gita Jnana Yajna in Kannada at Snea Bhavan, Sahakaranagar from 19th June, 2017 to 25th June, 2016 taking Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12. The Yajna was inaugurated by Sri Sudheendra, senior member of the Mission.
Pujya Swamiji explained the concept of the unmanifest and manifest aspects of the Lord with emphasis that sadhaks in the beginning need the form to control the mind and as they progress in their sadhana the knowledge of the Self will make them realise that all duality is just a misunderstanding. Attachment associated with delusion due to ignorance slowly drops with the realisation that ‘I’ am not the body but the flame of light enlivening the entire universe.
The Yajna was well attended.
Youth Meet in J P Nagar
The CHYKs of Sripadakshetra, J P Nagar, Bengaluru organised a youth workshop entitled Derivative of failure = Success on 25th June, 2017.
The workshop consisting of three rounds of action packed activities was based on Yajna Spirit laying emphasis that there can never be a single winner and the journey matters more than the end result with all the participants agreeing that “Failures are the lessons for greater success“. Sri Chandrashekar Padubidri and Smt Sangita Shivakumar senior members of the Mission summarized the proceedings inspiring the young minds with a firm message that Derivative of failure leads to higher Suceess if one puts right efforts to enhance capabilities.
The workshop was very well attended and paved way for formation of new Youth Classes.
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Chinmaya Mission Jaipur along with Rajasthan University organized a four days Gyana Yajna at Jaipur from 26th to 29th June 2017 under guidance of Pujya Swami Bodhatmananda Ji on Amritbindu Upanishad. Prestigious Manviki Peeth Sabhagar of Rajasthan University was the venue for this Gyana Yajna.
Yajna was inaugurated on 26th June right at 6.30 pm with chanting of Shanti Mantra and traditional lighting of lamp. Mrs. Mamta Mansingka, President of Chinmaya Mission Jaipur welcomed Swami Ji and other guests & seekers gathered to listen Pujya Swami ji’s divine words. Secretary, Dr. Uma Acharya presented the introduction of Pujya Swamiji. Sh. Rajeshwar Singh ji, Vice Chancellor, Rajasthan University also welcomed Pujya Swami Ji and extended all help for organizing this yajna.
About 400 seekers almost daily got mesmerized by Poojya Swami ji’s divine discourses on Amritbindu Upanishad. Audience included Br. Om Chaitanya Ji of Chinmaya Mission Jodhpur and galaxy of scholars and intellectuals including Vice Chancellor, professors, IAS officers, doctors and Businessmen etc. The discourses daily were preceded by beautiful soul lifting melodious bhajan rendition by a group of students from Department of Music, Rajasthan University and they were felicitated by Pujya Swamiji on the concluding day.
Gyana Yajna concluded on 29th June. Vice President, Chinmaya Mission Jaipur Sh. M. L. Gupta Ji presented Vote of Thanks for Pujya Swami Ji, audience and all those who directly and indirectly contributed for the Yajna. For all the members it was a memorable Yajna with Divine Grace and Blessings.
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1. We find it easier to live… with animals and pets BUT LIVING WITH HUMANS IS DIFFICULT. We don’t blame fire for burning us… we accept that it is fire’s nature. We accept the coolness of ice…the wetness of water as their nature. We don’t try to change them. Nor like or dislike them.
2. But we cannot accept people as they are. We have expectations from them. When expectations are not fulfilled, we are upset.
3. Parents expect children to excel in sports, studies, music …… To force or compel performance… against a child’s aptitude traumatises the child.
4. Living with people… …leads to inter-person expectations …to desire acceptance …to possessiveness …to control. This is destructive.
5. Expectations must be reasonable and wise. Give space…give freedom. Like two hands that come together, yet leave a space between them…. Like the sun that shines on everything UNCONDITIONALLY.
6. The wise person moves everywhere with love and affection — RECEIVES ALL…ACCEPTS ALL. Whether people behave nicely or poorly he is neither elated nor saddened. He accepts their nature.
7. ACCEPT PEOPLE AS THEY ARE. Change what is possible. Don’t insist on your way. It is not possible to love someone… …AND also confine them in that love.
In addition to discourses, attendees participated in different activities like engaging small-group discussions and creative skit presentations. In efforts to practice discipline, CHYKs enjoyed an intense hike as the sun was rising. And to take further advantage of the beautiful surroundings, they enjoyed an exciting few hours of sports followed by a peaceful pause at a nearby creek.
Many of the attendees spoke about how grateful they were for the opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals who share similar ideas and were inspired by one another. Please consider joining us next year as we continue down this path of becoming truly and independently happy.
Finding Calmness in Chaos – Young Adults Enjoy, Learn at Retreat Joyful young adults came together at the mesmerizing Camp Cedar Lake in Big Bear to study and reflect upon the lessons of in Chapter 14 of the Bhagavad Gita. The retreat organized by dedicated CHYKs of CMLA, was led by Vivekji of Chinmaya Mission Niagara and Pittsburgh. Teaching young adults to transcend their gunas to find calmness in the chaos of life, he was the guiding force throughout the Memorial day weekend.
The youth engaged in learning through enlightening discourses and dialog, discussion among themselves, and in insightful workshops conducted by CHYK-LA. Notable was a workshop in which the CHYKs made their own japa mala bracelets out of rosewood and agate beads. In addition to this, the youth bonded through energetic outdoor activities, an impressive open mic night, and a bonfire followed by stargazing in the woods. The retreat was specially effective in its teaching about mental fortitude as attendees were challenged to silently contemplate throughout the weekend. Retreat attendees later said that the weekend helped them find a valuable path towards seeking happiness and had inspired them to spread their ideas beyond the CHYK community.
May 16 – June 4, 2017 ' Values Personified ' on the life and times of Lord Sri Ram was the topic of the annual Bal Vihar Summer Camp at Chinmaya Mission Delhi. 0ver 150 enthusiastic children participated across class 2 to class 8. Swami Prakarshanandaji inaugurated the event with his inspiring words to the children. His warmth and charismatic smile made the first timers instantly comfortable.
This was followed by a fun filled ice breaking session which made the kids eagerly look forward to the next 21 days. Three weeks of power packed learning with a lot of masti, laughter, craft, games, stories, yoga, group discussions, chanting and a lot more culminated in a splendid ‘Ram Lila’ performance by all the participants. This enthralling grand finale was well attended by parents and grandparents.
The last act ' Ramji ki nikli sawari’ got everyone on their feet and saw even Swamiji joining in the merriment briefly. Swamiji briefly addressed the parents urging them to set an example for their children by their own exemplary conduct. Anand Sharmaji concluded by requesting the parents to send their children for regular Bal Vihar classes so that there was a continuous input of the right values needed to nurture these young minds so that they could grow into responsible citizens which in turn would build a strong nation. The other noteworthy highlight of this camp is the Matru Puja.
To see youngsters worshipping at the feet of their mother is a moving experience. To be put on page 19 and group photo ofBV camp to be put on page 20. Reamining photos on page 21/22 It is very humbling to see a very spirited set of volunteers across all age groups who selflessly take out time from their professional and personal routine to impart such values to the children. A learning not just for the kids but also for all sevaks and sevikas (a term used for all volunteers at the Mission.) Anand Sharmaji an all-time favourite with the kids, and Saraswati Rajagopal, highly respected by all (Anand bhaiya and Sarsa Amma as they are lovingly called), the Bal Vihar coordinators ,were the guiding force behind the success of this camp.
On June 18, a day-long camp was successfully organised by Chinmaya Mission New Delhi on the ‘Theory & Practice of Meditation’. Through a brilliant mix of lectures, stories, bhajans, and practical lessons, Swami Prakarshananda explained the meaning of meditation, showcasing its magic and unraveling its mysteries. A group of about 300 participants, of all ages, was kept fully engaged. The range of questions they put to Swamiji reflected their curiosity and understanding. To tackle the day-to- day challenges of modern living, we need to utilise the power of meditation, which alone increases inner strength and creates peace and harmony.
Swamiji pointed out that meditation is a precious art, to be honed through determination, enthusiasm, practice and patience, adding, “Wherever your energy flows, that grows.” Hence it was entirely up to us to decide what we wished to enhance and improve. Since the mind is a “bridge between the intellect and the body”, it is important to operate from a positive platform and keep it stable. Only then, can we imbibe scriptural knowledge. Elaborating on the need to understand one’s various roles in life, Swamiji stressed, “The most important role in life is to be a good human being; to know the demands of other roles and perform them to the best of our ability.” The ultimate take-away from the innovative course was two-fold: one, the seeker should have no attachment to his actions, and second, as one focuses on self- improvement, expectations from others should be avoided. ‘Change yourself since you cannot change others’ was the message that reverberated with everyone.
IS GOD A CREATION OF THE HUMAN MIND?
IS GOD A CONCEPT?
Concepts are finite and speak of only some aspects of GOD.
Some are definitely beneficial.
EXAMPLE…faith that God is the protector
…that He is compassionate gives courage and solace.
However…the Infinite Lord is
beyond all concepts and imaginations.
It is said…‘God defined is God defiled’
as a finite concept of God cannot be
the Lord of the INFINITE UNIVERSE.
GOD is the Infinite Truth…
the illuminator of all thoughts and
THEREFORE remains untouched and untainted
by ANY views, standpoints or concepts about HIM.
There may be doubts about the nature of God
BUT how there can BE…
any doubt about His EXISTENCE?
His glory is perceived as this most ENCHANTING world.
The unimaginable expanse of countless cosmoses…
the VARIED beings…the inexplicable working of the universe…
the unbelievable beauty of nature…are manifestations of His GLORY.
The Vedas say: ‘All that we can possibly
perceive and conceive is His glory alone.
HE is still far beyond His manifested glory.’
Who is Isha/God? Isha/Ishwara is one who rules.
God is omnipotent…all powerful…
the undisputed Lord of the universe.
He is TOTALLY independent.
HE can do…undo…do otherwise
anything and EVERYTHING HE wills.
However…this can be appreciated ONLY
when we turn inwards.
Then…we see His glory everywhere
AND become free of all worldly sorrow!!!
– – Swami Tejomayananda