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Happiness is measured by the tranquility of one's mind.

Swami Swaroopananda

Vanaprastha Programme

Spirituality in the 3rd age
The Central Chinmaya Vanaprastha Sansthan (CCVS) is the senior citizens wing of Chinmaya Mission uniting people over sixty years of age. The Vanaprastha programme operates worldwide . Naturally, needs differ depending on the country in which Vanaprasthis reside. CCVS provides a supportive framework for senior citizens to pursue the final spiritual goal of life and shows them the means to achieve it. It facilitates easier transition from life in gryhasta (householder) ashram to life in vanaprastha ashram through a programme of spiritual practice, practical advice about health and well-being, financial management and safety.
The aim of CCVS is to give a comprehensive vision to senior citizens and to make their life healthy, serene, comfortable, purposeful and happy. The motto is: Graceful Aging through Spiritual Living.

History

A whole of life spiritual vision

In December 1995, a group of about 30 eminent citizens of Allahabad voiced concerns over India's fast-growing population of elderly people. A potential solution was to empower them through a specially designed education curriculum to make best use of the 25-30 years of post-retirement life.

A Third Age Institute was set up with its Headquarters in Chinmaya Naveen Seva Ashram Nyas (CNSAN) under the banner of Chinmaya Mission. The institute was named as Chinmaya Vanaprastha Sansthan (CVS) - ‘Vanaprastha’ standing for the third stage of life and ‘Sansthan’ for institute.

Developed by Swami Shankarananda, as the first ever educational course for the elderly in India, Vridhavastha Samadhan Shivir was inaugurated at Allahabad on 11 August, 1996. It was a national, residential camp, attended by 43 delegates from different parts of the country.

In 1998, CVS formally came under the Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT), and it now operates nationally as a wing of CCMT for senior citizens under the name - Central Chinmaya Vanaprastha Sansthan (CCVS).

Vanaprastha Scheme

A practical plan for the best years

Group of senior citizens attending Chinmaya Mission Vanaprastha program

How to prevent old-age diseases?

How to keep the body, mind, and intellect healthy, fit and alert?

What to do after retirement to fill the social vacuum?

Where to live? Should one live with children or separately?

How to have good relations with children, their spouses, neighbours and so forth?

How to maintain a reasonable standard of living with limited finances and income after retirement?

How to achieve the spiritual goal?

Chinmaya Mission Pitamaha Sadans

Unique retirement villages
In addition to Vanaprastha Sansthan, Chinmaya Mission offers senior citizens the services of Pitamaha Sadans or retirement villages. Chinmaya Mission has eight Pitamaha Sadans (senior citizens homes) in India. They are located in Allahabad, Kanpur, Rewa, Tamaraipakkam, (Coimbatore ?), Ellayapalle, Kothapatnam, Renigunta and Kolhapur.

Pitamaha Sadans provide affordable and comfortable accommodation, nourishing vegetarian food, libraries, medical and other facilities in a spiritually enriched environment.
The focus of the Pitamaha Sadans is on spirituality, Regular activities include Vedanta classes, satsangs, bhajan sessions, celebration of festivals, and periodic sadhana camps, thus providing an excellent ambiance for spiritual unfoldment.

Blueprint for happiness

Making the best use of retirement

Chinmaya Mission’s services for senior citizens are innovative, practical and unique. They help society’s elders find a harmonious balance between action and inaction, comfort and security within a like-minded community and the beauty and wisdom of spiritual evolution.

Our present work may be great or small. Yet, the important thing is to do it well.

Swami Chinmayananda

Central Chinmaya Mission Trust

Saki Vihar Road, Powai, Mumbai - 400 072.

Tel : +91-22-2803 4900

E-mail : ccmt@chinmayamission.com

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