Author Archives: Web Master

Marriage, A Melody

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Among the millions you could have married, you chose your particular spouse. You may have married for a variety of reasons. It could have been:

  • a love marriage
  • an arranged marriage
  • a combination of the two

But the FACT is that you are now married. It is said that ‘marriages are made in heaven’, BUT to maintain them is your responsibility. To make your marriage a success requires HARD WORK. It will not happen automatically. You have to make it work ….even in the face of challenges and problems given freely and generously by the world.

Often outwardly a couple may look happy – partying and vacationing …but there is an underlying element of stress and conflict. Marriage should bring to life:

  • Joy
  • Well-being
  • Auspiciousness

ALL three are important. Married life must be:

  • Full of joy – not just thrills – cheer and lightness, fun and brightness.
  • A sense of ‘well-being’ – being good and well with each other.
  • Filled with auspiciousness – a purity and beauty

The secret of a successful marriage is a well-kept secret! Though everyone knows it…it is not widely practiced.

THE MANTRA IS: DISCOVER NEW LOVE AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER AND LET THEM GROW EACH DAY.

Love ‘before marriage’ is common BUT ‘after marriage’ more IMPORTANT.  Trust strengthens love. Unobstructed by doubt and mistrust …love matures and grows.

Fed by renewed …feelings of tenderness, care and concern, …love is nourished and blossoms. Love should never become stale nor …its expression be gross, routine or mechanical.

We respect the person we see…what we value in them. The more we value what others have …the more we respect them. THUS… Ever increasing mutual love and respect is the secret of a successful marriage.

by Swami Tejomayananda

Enjoy the Benefits of Faith in God

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The Benefits

Non-believers say that God doesn’t really exist. It is just a belief. DESPITE THAT..      Simple faith and belief in the existence of God benefits greatly. It doesn’t matter whether He exists or not… Each is free to their own faith… So long as there is no force on anyone to believe otherwise…

Gives Strength and Power

Faith is a great power and a source of strength. Also as you think, so you become. One who believes in the existence of an all-powerful God feels:

  • a sense of support in times of difficulty
  • there is someone to look up to and pray to

Without such a source, I turn to so-called near and dear ones or myself. But being in trouble myself, I can hardly be a good support and others generally avoid a person in difficulty.

Faith and trust in God enables us to become strong. We can also argue that actually the power and strength comes from within, but for the BELIEVER…it came from the Lord.

Generally one has a tendency to boost the ego and take credit for everything. The difference is that even though the DEVOTEE…has got it from within, he will not be arrogant.

Atheists may feel temples are not necessary…But the Chinese have embalmed Mao’s body and people go there to pay their respects. Is that not a worship of sorts?

Man HAS TO have some faith somewhere…It is human nature to HOLD ON to something.

The world moves on faith. Have faith…but have it in God alone…because that gives the best results.

-by Swami Tejomayananda

 

 

Kumbhabhishekam and Praan Pratishthaa Mahotsav at ParamDham – Chinmaya Mission Ahmedabad

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The devotees in Ahmedabad were blessed with three auspicious days of festivities in the divine presence of Pujya Guruji, Swami Swaroopananda and Swamini Vimalananda. A grand festival of Kumbhabhishekam, Praan Pratishthaa and Inauguration of a Temple as well as a Spiritual Landmark of Ahmedabad was organized under the guidance of Br. Atharvana Chaitanya from 16th to 18th January 2017. A series of talks by Pujya Guruji, Swami Swaroopananda and Swamini Vimalananda were also organized in the evenings based on the topics which were in sync with the deities to be enshrined in the Temple.

The festivities began on 16th January with various Pujas and Homas according to the scriptural injunctions in a huge Yajnamandap by a team of 25 Purohits in the presence of Pujya Swamini Vimalananda and acharyas from various centers of the Mission. Pujas of the idols to be enshrined in the temple were performed by the yajamaans. The chanting of Veda Mantras and Hymns created a sacred environment for the grand welcome of Bhagavan. For devotees and sevaks of Ahmedabad it was a time of realization of a long awaited moment. In the evening, huge audience including heads of spiritual organizations, acharyas of the Mission, prominent personalities, devotees, and sevaks contemplated on the differences & oneness of Shiva-Shakti in a discourse by Pujya Swamini Vimalananda.

On 17th January, while on one side of the ashram the Pujas and Homas were being performed, the devotees of Ahmedabad welcomed Pujya Guruji and Swami Swaroopananda with Purna Kumbha followed by a Swagat Geet and a dance performance. In the afternoon, Kumbhabhishekam of the idols of Shri Krishna, Shri GangeshwarMahadev, Vanavasi Shri Sita-Rama, Shri Ganapati and Shri Hanuman was performed. The entire ashram complex was in joyous mood as Bhagavan got ready to enter His new abode. Devotees reveled in a melodious satsang with Pujya Guruji on the topic “Tulasi ke Shri Ram” later in the evening.

The final day saw installation of the deities followed by Geeta, Vadya & Nritya Rajopachar by well-known artists. The Kalahsha along with a Garudadhvaja, and Chatra were mounted on the Shikhar. Pujya Guruji then performed the Praana Pratishta of Shri Krishna – the main deity in the temple. The classrooms and Chinmaya vani in the ashram complex were then inaugurated by Pujya Guruji. A musical discourse on “Wo kala ek Bansuri Wala” by Swami Swaroopananda was enjoyed by one and all.

By grace of Bhagavan and blessings of  Guruparampara,the Chinmaya family Ahmedabad experienced three days of sheer bliss and is all geared up now for the next phases of Project ParamDham.

 

Balavihar sevaks Training at Chinmaya Mission Ahmedabad, Gujarat

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Chinmaya Mission Ahmedabad conducted a Balavihar sevak Training on 22nd January 2017. Guided by Br. Atharvana Chaitanya, a group of 25 enthusiastic sevaks belonging to varied age groups reflected on important questions such as Who is a sevak? Who is the Sevya? and What is Seva? in context of Balavihar activities.

It was highlighted that Seva is not a particular action but it is the attitude with which every action should be performed.  The qualities and special skills required to be imbibed by a Balavihar sevak were explained in detail. Br. Atharvana Chaitanya beautifully explained the significance of threefold Bhakti in a Balavihar sevak. As Bhagavan in the form of Children is our Sevya, our love for Children is Ishwara Bhakti. As Guru imparts knowledge, our love for Knowledge is Guru Bhakti and teaching through Balavihar brings a positive change in the society therefore our love for Teaching is Desha Bhakti. Thus a confluence of Ishwara Bhakti, Guru Bhakti and Desha Bhakti brings out the best in a Balavihar sevak. All were guided to derive strength through unflinching faith in God, in Guru, in Scriptures and in oneself, leading to a positive transformation within and without.

Groups were then formed and sevak were asked to spontaneously come up with ideas to convey a particular value to children – through games, stories, or activities. It was recommended to all sevaks to devote at least 3 hours per week for Balavihar classes, comprising 1 hour of Swadhyaya (Study classes), 1 hour of preparation and one hour for conducting the classes.

Quoting Pujya Guruji, Br. Atharvana Chaitanya pointed out that “God does not see one’s ability or inability but one’s availability”. The training was successfully concluded reminiscing God’s Grace & invoking Pujya Gurudev’s blessings.

Balavihar Sevaks

 

Pujya Guruji’s Handover Ceremony

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There are some moments in life when it becomes a nexus of so many powerful energies. Today was such an occasion when these energies expressed themselves in such a beautiful way in the handover ceremony at Sandeepany Sadhanalya, Mumbai. Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji expressed his thoughts in such inspiring, loving words drenched with devotion to Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda that it made the hearts of all those who were present melt with love for Pujya Guruji. His central theme was the relationship between Jiva, Jagat and Ishwara and how this was the frame within which His work was dedicated to the fulfilment of Pujya Gurudev’s Vision. He, the Jiva, in service the Jagat of the Chinmaya Mission dedicated at His Feet, Ishwara in the form of Pujya Gurudev. With this focused and clear vision Pujya Guruji has steered the Mission into the fulfilment of this vision to greater and greater heights. With the handing over of the ‘baton’, to the new Head of Mission, Pujya Swami Swaroopananda made a clear statement of his role and his work which will be along the wonderful path set in motion in the lineage and in the same spirit of love and dedication to taking the Mission ever forwards towards this great Vision.

Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda’s Speech at the Handover Ceremony Click Here

Swami Swaroopanandaji’s speech at the Handover Ceremony Click Here

For Images Click Here

WHY DO GOOD PEOPLE SUFFER ?

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A COMMON QUESTION: Why do good people suffer or why do bad things happen to good people? It APPEARS good people get the brunt of suffering, while evil-doers enjoy life. Is this true? Does not everyone suffer in one form or another? So is not the question MEANINGLESS? Just because a person is GOOD does not mean there will be no suffering in life. Suffering befalls all – good or bad. Objectively, the existence of pain or a physical handicap cannot be denied. but the degree of sorrow produced is subjective. Riches…positions…power do not guarantee happiness. If a person claims he is good and suffering… while the dishonest flourish… …be SURE the person is not good. For GOOD people, real suffering is… …to act against their convictions. Compromise to them is the greatest suffering. Spiritual practices cannot eliminate suffering… they PROTECT the mind and ease the suffering. We cannot stop the rain, but by using an umbrella can save ourselves from getting wet. Generally suffering and enjoyment ….are related to past actions. BUT STOP AWHILE …observe the subtle level… …do we not find immediate results of our actions? When a good thought enters the mind, …there is elation… … a wicked thought causes agitation. Problems arise when there is no ideal OR when one is not able to live up to it. But the greatest problem is when one believes the ideal is not: worth living up to has lost its utility. REMEMBER… The good stand by their convictions because… “If you do not stand for something… …you will fall for everything!!!”

by Swami Tejomayananda

Our Gratitude to Pujya Guruji & Welcome to Mukhya Swamiji

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The staff and sevaks of Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Tara Cultural Trust and Chinmaya Ashish Trust organised a special programme at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya (Mumbai) on 20 January 2017, to shower an abundance of love on Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda and to offer a hearty welcome to Pujya Swami Swaroopananda.
Indeed it was a family event full of fun and feelings, and joyful smiles welcomed Guruji and Swamiji at the start of the Dindi procession near Anand Vihar, in which staff members participated with great enthusiasm and devotion. With Shri Subhash Ghete and group leading the “gajar” chants, it was as though Anand Vihar had been transported to Alandi and indeed Powai became Pandarpur. All devotees present joined in with the merriment, holding flags and clapping and dancing to the divine, elevating music.
The procession reached Tapovan auditorium for the start of the programme, brilliantly anchored by Swamini Aaradhanananda and Brahmachari Atharvana Chaitanya. Two Chinmaya Mission nightingales Pramodini Rao and Aparna Devi sang a beautiful stuti created especially for the occasion, in praise of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji, Pujya Guruji and Pujya Swamiji.
Blessings poured forth next as Sant Tukaram, Jnaneshwar Maharaj, Sant Tulsidas, Samarth Ramdas and Adi Sankaracharya came to the stage one by one with their brilliant texts as gifts. The delight on the faces of Guruji and Swamiji was so wonderful to behold.
That wasn’t all. Due to the outstanding effort by the Audio-Visuals team, the next item had everyone enthralled, for we looked at the LED screens only to see our very own Pujya Gurudev seated between Guruji and Swamiji. Wow! Gratitude to modern technology and the creative team for that wonderful experience!
“Atma on a Self Trip” was played next, which is a video presentation that has cleverly incorporated sketches, videos and photos of Gurudev, Guruji and Swamiji, with witty words and set against the background music of “On A Quest.”
The team had yet more treats up their sleeves. One segment was a very humorous skit about Guruji’s post-retirement plans, or rather Guruji being sought after by head-hunters in the fields of travel, music, photography food and conflict solutions! People were almost rolling in the aisles with laugher.
The Story Continues… yes it does as that’s the title of the next video presentation and how mind-blowing it was. The very same story-example is narrated by Gurudev, Guruji and Swamiji in it, brilliantly edited into a seamless narrative, seemingly in relay style. This one is going to go viral for sure!
The grand finale was a theatrical style offering by Ramaa Bharadvaj, a monologue to celebrate light, and the glowing presence of the Guru. Ramaaji shared short and sweet anecdotes about Guruji and Swamiji, containing meaningful learnings that were loved by all. Ramaaji had also trained the CCMT girls to perform a very special dance, their faces aglow with devotion as they skipped and swayed gracefully to a Marathi Guru bhajan.
At the end, both Guruji and Swamiji spoke words of love and appreciation for the teams behind the stupendous effort, before they were led to a gallery of specially selected photos and captions. The staff then posed for a very memorable group photo with Guruji, while the campers excitedly scrambled forward to pose with the digitally-created Gurudev!
A heartwarming and fulfilling family day for all!
For Images click here