CMW News: News

During the Pranav Ganesh Mandir inauguration camp at the end of January 2012, a special bhajan sandhya was offered by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda. Each of the delightfully melodious and heartwarming bhajans was written, composed, and sung by Pujya Guruji himself. In the first week of April 2012, CCMT began uploading one bhajan video per week as part of a ten-week video series. This long awaited devotional treat for the global Chinmaya Family is available on YouTube.

TOP|

Sandeepany Sadhanalaya Golden Jubilee

In his letter to CM acharyas worldwide, Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda wrote, “To spread the message of Vedanta is the main objective of Chinmaya Mission. Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai has played a great role in fulfilling this objective. I am pleased to inform you that Sandeepany will be celebrating its 50th year in 2013, on January 9.”

To commemorate this milestone event, the 300+ Chinmaya Mission acharyas worldwide are expected to come together on January 9, 2013 to express their gratitude at the lotus feet of Pujya Gurudev. The day’s events will include Lord Jagadishvara’s aarti, paduka puja, guru dakshina offerings, and words of gratitude from select acharyas. Most of the day’s celebratory activities will be organized in the Tapovan Open-Air Auditorium and will conclude with lunch prasad. To offer bhikshas for all acharyas on this auspicious day, contact Tara Cultural Trust.

TOP|

Tapovan Prasad New Subscription Rates

Chinmaya Mission’s worldwide international news magazine began printing select portions in color, which has received much positive feedback. Effective May 1, 2012, the new subscription rates are:

1 year $35
2 years $65
3 years $95
5 years $170
15 years $350

TOP|

“7 Days, 7 Powers”: First CM Global Camp for Teenagers

Chinmaya Mission is excited to offer the first-ever global camp for teenagers, to be conducted by Swami Swaroopananda at the Chinmaya International Residential School (CIRS) in Coimbatore, India, December 19-26, 2012. Swamiji will be assisted by Brahmachari Rishi Chaitanya (CIRS and CM Coimbatore) and Brahmacharini Nishita Chaitanya (CM Hong Kong). This camp is open to children 12-16 years old.

The camp theme of “7 Days, 7 Powers” focuses on the glories of various Hindu deities, and on finding and invoking the presence of these deities in one’s inner qualities and outer expressions. Evenings will include cultural programs and festival celebrations (such as playing Holi or rafting in the school lake to immerse Lord Ganesha murtis for Ganesha Chaturthi). While the days are timetabled, there is always room for surprises!

Campers will have the privilege of spending a week of personal time with all attending CM acharyas. The camp will be filled with Vedantic teachings that bring value-based living to life, and creative activities and interactive sessions that inspire and uplift the spirit. Attendees will leave the camp energized and unmistakably changed, reveling in an experience that will stay with them forever.

The camp venue of CIRS is fully equipped to provide safe, clean, and more than comfortable residential accommodation for all attendees. Campers will reside in separate boy/girl dormitories, with approximately eight teens and one sevak. Campers are welcome to provide roommate preferences. CIRS food is fully vegetarian, but far from boring school food! Campers will experience a range of cuisines from across India, as well as comfort foods like pizza and pasta

Experienced sevaks, chaperones, and medical staff will be there throughout the camp. Campers must arrange for their own travel and health insurance coverage, as well as all the necessary vaccinations. Campers may start their course of malaria tablets as and when recommended by their doctor.

Chinmaya Mission teenagers will get to spend a week with peers from around the world—India, Australia, Kenya, Philippines, USA, and more. The wonderful camaraderie felt at local and national camps with likeminded youngsters will carry forward to a global level, allowing campers to discover that their Chinmaya Family doesn’t stop at country borders, but really does traverse the world.

Such camps have proven to be grand successes with various age groups, who enjoyed camp as one of the most fun, exciting, and memorable weeks of their lives. With the magical presence of Swami Swaroopananda, his transformative teachings, and the friendships they formed at the camp, CIRS is ready to welcome the global Chinmaya Family of teens for “7 Days, 7 Powers.”

Camp registration is $315 before July and $350 after July. Campers must ensure their visa requirements are met to enter and leave India. Campers should plan to arrive at CIRS by 4 p.m. on December 19. Return flights should be booked for the morning or afternoon of December 27.

Campers may choose to travel with fellow campers from their country by contacting our camp’s country coordinators (information given to campers after registration is confirmed). Coimbatore is an international airport and has direct flights from various international cities. FYI: Previous campers have used and recommended cleartrip.com to book their internal flights to Coimbatore. Low cost airlines with several flights a day into Coimbatore include JetLite and Indigo.

The address of CIRS is as follows: Chinmaya International Residential School, Nallurvayal Post, Siruvani Main Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The school is 45-60 minutes from Coimbatore airport and is well known by local taxi drivers. Campers may request country coordinators to pre-arrange their transport to/from the school and Coimbatore Airport.

To receive a camp form, email or call Lavina Chotrani (Hong Kong +852-94-75-75-75) or Roushika Gawne (U.K. +44-78-121-4648).

TOP|

Swami Mitrananda Tours USA
by Sharanya Rao

CMW is pleased to announce the visit of Swami Mitrananda (CM Chennai, India). To get details of Swamiji’s programs to be conducted at various CMW centers, contact CHYK coordinator, Sharanya Rao.

Swami Mitrananda is the acharya of CM Chennai and the director of AICHYK (All-India Chinmaya Yuva Kendra). Inspired by Pujya Gurudev, he joined the two-year Vedanta training course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai, in 1989. Since then, he has dedicated his life to serve in Chinmaya Mission, traveling all over India and Southeast Asia.

Today, in addition to his conducting with appealing logic and clarity multifarious spiritual classes, workshops, and youth activities in the forum of Vedanta, Swamiji is also a highly sought speaker in the corporate circle, in which he has delivered spiritual-related management talks to various leading corporate houses.

Swami Mitrananda has a vast youth following, largely because of his innovative methodologies in making the ancient wisdom of Hinduism extraordinarily appealing to the rational and adventure-seeking young minds. Under his leadership, AICHYK organized two large-scale projects, namely, “Awakening Indians to India,” a national quiz that received high acclaim, and the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) which has produced scores of “Yuva Veers” working across India. The “Awakening Indians to India” quiz reached half a million youth across India, making it the largest quiz on the subcontinent. YEP was designed by Swamiji to create empowered and dynamic youth leaders who engage in socially relevant work in different parts of India and abroad.

Swami Mitrananda has traveled to many countries, including United Kingdom, Turkey, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and UAE to spread the message of Hinduism and Vedanta. He has lectured at Hyundai Motors, Polaris Industries, TVS Group, and has addressed students of leading business schools in India, such as the Symbiosis Institute of Management. Swamiji represented India at the Global Forum of Faith-based Organizations for Population and Development, which was organized by UNFPA in Turkey in October 2008. To watch Swamiji’s interview on “India Talks,” click here.

Swami Mitrananda’s inaugural visit to the US in 2012 is scheduled as follows:

May 28: Dallas, TX
May 29: Boston, MA
May 30-June 1: Chicago, IL
June 2-3: Austin, TX
June 3-6: National Junior CHYK Camp, Brownwood, TX
June 7-9: Washington, DC
June 10-12: San Jose, CA
June 12-17: Piercy, CA

TOP|

Retreat for University Students on Four Yogas
by Eric Roberts

Chinmaya Mission’s Krishnalaya ashram in Piercy, California hosted its second retreat for Humboldt State University students from during April’s Easter Sunday weekend. As in the previous year, the students described it as an eye opening and beneficial experience.

The retreat was designed to offer students an introduction to the popular four paths of yoga, techniques of meditation, chanting, yoga nidra, and pranayama. The retreat, offered by the university’s Religious Studies department, served as a one-credit course for attending students.

Humboldt State’s Professor William Herbrechtsmeier, who teaches classes on Hinduism, and a group of almost 20 students, arrived on Friday night. After the orientation, Swami Ishwarananda introduced karma yoga with Powerpoint presentation that culled teachings from Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads.

The next two mornings began at 6:30 with the practice of hatha yoga, followed by Swamiji’s guided meditation, and teachings on dhyana yoga and jnana yoga. Breakfast was followed by discussions and teachings on yoga nidra. The afternoons were relaxing by the Eel River with Swami Ishwarananda as everyone got to know one another better.

After Swamji’s teachings on bhakti yoga,the students watched a video discourse by His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda on the nature of God according to the Upanishads. During evening aarti, prayers were sung with tabla accompaniment. A sense of inspiration was aglow throughout dinner, which was followed by a group campfire to end the day.

During the last group discussion, students reported their impressions of the retreat experience. Most common was the heightened awareness of the differences in the state of mind from daily activities to meditation. Many students also said they identified with karma yoga.

The retreat was greatly benefited by the loving labor of Mr. Lalit Kapoor in the group discussions and of Mrs. Kapoor in the kitchen. The students said they were happy with the retreat and the teachings of the four yogas had made quite an impression on them. They left with smiles, finally prying themselves from Swami Ishwarananda’s company, ready to recommend such partnerships to other local universities.

TOP|

Laughter and Merriment at CM LA Holi Event
by Nimmi Raj

As is the case each year, 2012 also saw a huge turnout of CM Los Angeles (CM LA) members and friends—over 1,300—at its annual Holi picnic in the park. The morning began at the Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley with lines at registration, everyone waiting to get their wristbands and lunch coupons. Thereafter, the kids rushed off into the green lawns to meet friends and take part in the organized games, which included the ever popular tug-of-war; Kho!; the three-legged, sack, and lemon-n-spoon races; and musical chairs. Children cheered on adults and vice versa, as everyone played and reveled in howls of laughter.

Tikki chole, sandwiches, and jalebis were featured on the lunch menu that was enjoyed by everyone as they ate and socialized. But nothing could compare with the shining moment of colors in the air. Holi colors, pre-bagged, were distributed to everyone and the park was soon resounding with joyous shouts of “Holi hai!'” and myriad colors. Soon, not a single face was recognizable under the smeared mask of colors—a visible submergence of all differences. Swami Ishwarananda, CM LA acharya, was drenched in no time, accepting throughout colorful Holi wishes from the entire CM LA family, especially the children!

The successful event was a testament to the dedicated efforts of all the volunteers, who, tired yet energized by the joy and enthusiasm in the air, continued their seva and soon restored the park grounds to their original, pristine state. Undoubtedly, the journey home for one and all was filled with colorful memories of love and laughter.

TOP|

Swamini Vimalananda Visits CM Trinidad
by Rama Heeralal

First Dharma Sevak Course in Trinidad
Swamini Vimalananda (CM Coimbatore) recently completed a seven-week visit to the Caribbean’s West Indies, during which she conducted the first Dharma Sevak Course in Trinidad with upacharya Swami Prakashananda (CM Trinidad). Delegates from Trinidad, the U.S., and Canada were instructed in the foundations of Hindu dharma during the six-week (February 12-March 9, 2012) residential course hosted at the Chinmaya Ashram in Trinidad. The students gained inspiration through texts such as Chandogya Upanishad (Chapter 6), Sat Darshanam, Bhagavad Gita (Chapters 3 and 8), Aranyakanda of Ramacharitamanas, and Shivaparadhakshamapana Stotram.

Coupled with study of the scriptures, the course was interspersed with daily Vedic chanting, meditation, yoga, Sanskrit, pujas and homas, and talks on contemporary topics, including personal relationships, puja vidhi, and sadhana.

The uniqueness of the course was also reflected in the weekly cultural programs that exposed the students and public to various cultural art forms of India and the Indo-Caribbean region. Concerts included Hindustani vocal and tabla, classical Manipuri dances, and folk dances all by teachers of Chinmaya Vidyalaya. Also featured were performances of local Indo art forms that have evolved over time in Trinidad, such as Jaal Ramayana, Kabir songs, and Chowtal (Holi) songs.

Students celebrated Mahashivaratri and Holi during the course, and enjoyed visits to holy places in Trinidad, such as Ganga Dhara.

At Chinmaya Vidyalaya
Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Trinidad, the first Chinmaya school outside India, was fortunate to have Swamini Vimalananda, Director of Central Chinmaya Mission Trust’s Education Cell, grace the halls and address the students and staff on the six Vidyalaya campuses across Trinidad. In addition to interactive sessions with students in various grades, she also conducted staff training on the Chinmaya Vision Program (CVP), training in value education, and discussions with the management of Chinmaya Vidyalaya Trinidad. Her guidance and inspiration provided integral and holistic methodologies for continued progress in the schools.

Shivanand Seenarine and Darrien Da Silva, two students of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, were bestowed the prestigious Chinmaya Gaurav Award in February 2012 and received their tokens from Swaminiji and Swami Prakashananda. Shivanand Seenarine was also recently conferred the National Youth Award for Excellence in Education by Trinidad’s Ministry of Youth Affairs, while Darrien won the same for Excellence in Sport.

Gita Jnana Yajna and Workshop
Swaminiji conducted a series of public discourses at the Chinmaya Ashram and other neighboring areas. Her programs included a seven-day Gita, Chapter 8 jnana yajna on “The Art of Living” (February 5-11), which was attended by Trinidad and Tobago government officials, including the Minister of Labor; a “Happy Parenting” workshop attended by parents of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Chinmaya Bala Vihar, and the general public; a talk on “Love and Sacrifice” in Tobago; and a talk on “Harmony in Relationships.”

Chinmaya Bala Vihar and Yuva Kendra
Chinmaya Bala Vihar and Yuva Kendra students were treated to quality “Amma-time” in various sessions her seven-week visit. She spoke on topics relevant to each age group and accompanied senior CHYKs on a hike to the Tourure Water Steps, where CHYKs offered her a special bhiksha.

Visit to Guyana
Swaminiji’s two-day visit to the neighboring South American country of Guyana took place on March 14-15. The simplicity of the country, its green beauty, expansive Amazonian rivers, and warm people greeted her and the traveling party from Trinidad graciously. She delivered talks to teachers and students of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan, and then drove along the coast to the county of Berbice to speak on various aspects of Indian culture to devotees of the local temple.

The last day in Guyana saw two programs in the capital city of Georgetown. Swaminiji was welcomed by students of the University of Guyana, where she engaged them in discussions on Hindu dharma. The students were motivated to think decisively about the future of their country and the role they play as educated citizens. The tour ended with a talk at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown, where Swaminiji addressed a gathering of representatives of Hindu organizations around the city, as well as members of the public, on “The Art of Living.” The talk was flavored with a lively question-and-answer session at its conclusion and attended by the former First Lady of Guyana.

TOP|

CM Chicago Yamunotri’s Rama Navami Celebrations
by Jayanthy Jayanth

Shri Rama Navami was celebrated with much devotion and enthusiasm at CM Chicago’s Yamunotri ashram on Saturday, April 7, 2012. The event was presided by resident acharya Swami Sharanananda and the Sita-Rama kalyana ceremony was performed by a local priest. The Chinmaya Bala Vihar children performed a beautiful “Sampurna Ramayana” dance-drama, which was attended by over 400 devotees.

The morning program commenced with Rama Stuti and Sita-Rama Kalyanamahotsava Puja for the grand, celestial wedding ceremony of Lord Rama and Mother Sita. Several devotees participated in the kalyanam puja, ashtottara namavali, and bhajans. Bala Vihar students chanted, “Sita kalyana vaibhogame” during the marriage procession as Lord Rama and Mother Sita were taken to the shrine. The puja concluded with a mangalam song performed by students and Shri Rama Aarti.

Swamiji gave a short yet meaningful message on the kalyanam ceremony, which also symbolizes the union of the jiva and the supreme Self through single-pointed devotion. The Bala Vihar students’ music, dance, and drama presentation depicted important episodes from the Ramayana. Children in Grade 1 sang Nama Ramayana, which sings the glory of Lord Rama and narrates the entire Ramayana in a nutshell.

The Ramayana is a treasure house of values, and enshrined in every incident is a rich message of deep significance. The presentations all brought out the symbolic meanings behind many popularly known stories, such as Maharishi Vishwamitra’s visit, Sita Swayamvara, Manthara’s evil counsel, Bharata’s resolution, Sita-haran, Vibhishana-sharanagati, and Ravana-vadha.

The program concluded with a sumptuous mahaprasadam lunch prepared and served by Mission volunteers.

TOP|

CM Orlando Celebrates Mahashivaratri
by Sree Nambiar

CM Orlando observed the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri on February 19, 2012 at its Kaivalya ashram, beginning with a 6 a.m. kalasha sthapana and Ganesha havan.

Under the guidance of Acharya Shailaja Nadkarni, over 200 Chinmaya Bala Vihar students and 150 parents participated in the Mahamrtyunjaya havan in the Annashree hall. Each child and parent had the unique opportunity to make an offering into the holy flames. The hall reverberated with Vedic chants recited by local priests. At the havan’s successful conclusion, Acharya Shailaji unveiled the beautiful new addition to the Annashree hall, a seven-foot photograph of Pujya Gurudev.

The day included Lord Shiva’s Laghurudra Puja and Sahasranama Archana. In the evening, the Maharudra Puja was performed in the main shrine of the Kaivalya building, where hundreds of devotees lined up to offer abhishekham to the Shivalingam. Rudri was chanted continually throughout and the evening was transformed into a divine experience, particularly at midnight, when devotees were blessed with the indescribable Lingodhbhava darshan.

TOP|

CM Houston Offers Shivoham to the Lord of Dance
by Shalini Somraj and Sreedevi Gundamaraju; photos by Nilesh Shah

Divine art united with spiritual inspiration produced a spectacular dance drama, “Shivoham,” which was offered to the Lord of Dance at the Stafford Civic Center on February 29, 2012. The spectacular event marked a hallmark fundraiser for Pujya Gurudev’s birth centenary celebration to be held in India in 2015.

The magical and mystical presentation was performed on the eve of Mahashivaratri, and attendees were treated to the scintillating choreography of internationally renowned dance instructor, Dr. Rathna Kumar, of Houston’s Anjali Center for Performing Arts.

The tastefully decorated foyer of the Civic Center was abuzz with friends and family greeting and mingling in happy and gentle tones before promptly strolling into the main auditorium to be ushered to their seats. Inside, women aligned in customary cream and gold Kerala saris brought a reverential note to the royal birth heritage of Pujya Gurudev. Attentive ushers directed guests as musical notes of the Sanskrit hymn, Nirvana Shatakam, resounded.

The CM Houston choir and orchestra, positioned against a creative, adorned backdrop, looked resplendent in their peach and cream uniform attire, greeting guests with a soft and serene musical prelude to a promising evening.

The program commenced at 7 p.m. with invocation prayers to Lord Ganesha and Pujya Gurudev, after which the evening’s emcee gave a brief and clear welcome and description of the performances soon to unfold.

Gasps of pleasant surprise echoed in the auditorium when the first performance began with the sudden opening of the main entrance doors. A divine procession from Mount Kailasa, consisting of Lord Shiva, Devi Parvati, Nandi, Bhrngi, Kartikeya, Ganapati, and Shiva-ganas, merrily jaunted through the center aisle and onto the stage amid the auspicious Vedic chant of Rudram. Thus setting the mood, the dance presentation depicting the divine mysticism and glory of Lord Shiva began. The dances were a brilliant cohesion of Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam. The talented troupe of performers included Sangeet Natak Academy award winner Dr. Kumar, assistant Venugopal Josyula, and 18 senior students.

Throughout the artistic presentations, the srishti (creation), sthiti (preservation) and samhara (dissolution) aspects of the Lord were highlighted. Woven into the dance drama was the story of Nandana, a low caste devotee who yearned to get darshan of the Lord at the Chidambaram temple. Devotees Patanjali and Vyaghrapada were granted the vision of Lord Nataraja’s cosmic dance of bliss. A graceful rendition depicted how Lord Shiva made possible Mother Ganga’s descent to Earth to protect all devotees. The Lord is merciless to evildoers, as was vibrantly depicted in “Tripura Samharam.” “Ananda Tandavam” featured Lord Shiva as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. The dance drama drew to a spellbinding conclusion with a portrayal of Shiva Panchakshara Stotram.

Dr. Kumar said the performances related to Lord Nataraja are most inspiring because such artistic interpretations require a great depth, intensity, and spiritual surrender from the performer. She said, “It is the greatest honor for me to make this humble offering for Chinmaya Mission. I have always held Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda in the highest regard and have the greatest respect for all the activities undertaken by the acharyas of the Mission to promote Hindu culture and discipline.”

CM Houston’s Acharyas Gaurang and Darshana Nanavaty brought the evening to a close by felicitating Dr. Rathna Kumar and Venugopal Josyula. The evening of extravaganza ended with the echoes of traditional shanti paths.

TOP|

A Glowing Mahashivaratri at Chinmaya Prabha
by Padmashree Rao; photos by Jayesh Mistri

Mahasivaratri was celebrated with two days of prayers and devotion at CM Houston’s Chinmaya Prabha ashram, on February 19-20, 2012. Beginning with the Mahamrtyunjaya homa on the bright Sunday morning of February 19 and culminating with the midnight aarti of February 20, the celebrations inspired and transported thousands of devotees to a realm of divine bliss.

The Mahamrtyunjaya homa, a hallowed ritual for world prosperity, personal well being, and spiritual evolution, turned the Chinmaya Smrti hall into a powerful repository of divine vibrations. Hundreds of families chanted the Mahamrtyunjaya mantra in perfect unison 108 times, the air reverberating with the collective purity this sacred prayer brings. With the mantra echoing in each heart, the stage was now set to invoke Lord Shiva’s presence.

The cool, crisp morning of February 20 was immersed in the sanctity of Rudrabhishekam, which was offered in the serenity and beauty of the ashram’s Shri Saumyakashi Shivalaya temple. The atmosphere was fragrant with devotion as the resident priest bathed the Lingam with water, milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and fruits, and then worshipped the Lingam with turmeric, vermilion, sandalwood, and sacred ash. The smile on Lord Shiva’s enchanting face captivated one and all, and even the breeze that gently wafted to the altar was thought of as bringing great spiritual promise for all seekers.

That meditative spirit was unbroken throughout the day even as over 4,000 devotees came through the temple doors this day. There was much rejoicing, yet an overpowering sense of peace that made every devotee linger in the temple courtyard with eyes seeking the Lord at the altar.

The evening of Mahashivaratri was abundant with more festivities. Devotees were treated to the temple’s aesthetic display of lamps and flowers, all of which embellished the pristine glory of Lord Shiva. The chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya”tuned devotees’ minds to the resplendent Lord. Families were enchanted by the Vedic rituals being performed at the altar and felt blessed to offer milk abhishekam to the utsava murti of Lord Shiva. From babies, to teens, to elders, people of all ages and backgrounds were moved by the pious beauty of the surroundings.

A well-coordinated army of volunteers gently guided devotees and tended to their needs with a sense of devoted service. From the decoration volunteers, to the parking lot guides, to the welcoming ushers, to the kitchen team with bhoga prasada, to the audio-visual team harmonizing silence with melody, to the youthful energy of the CHYKs, the spirit of seva and bhakti was served with a smile. The celebrations were a grand offering under the guidance of resident acharyas, Gaurang and Darshana Nanavaty, who both uphold the Chinmaya tradition of tireless spiritual seva.

TOP|

CM Minneapolis Spring 2012 Celebrations
by Manu Madhok

Chinmaya Ganapati celebrated Mahashivaratri grandly, beginning with a Shiva puja, Lingabhishekam, mahaprasadam, and another traditional evening abhishekam on February 12, 2012. The puja continued through the night, and included dvitiya and tiritiya kala pujas with bilva ashtotranamavali, and the final usha kaal puja on the morning of February 20.

The CM St. Paul satellite also celebrated its first event of Holi. The parents and teachers organized a beautiful cultural program in which all the Chinmaya Bala Vihar children participated. Everyone came together to make this event a wonderful success.

CM Minneapolis has hosted two yajnas in 2012 so far, with Purushasuktam and Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 17 by Swami Shantananda (CM Princeton), and Prahlada Charitra by Swami Sarveshananda (CM Dallas). The center celebrated its tenth anniversary with Swami Shantananda in a successful fundraising luncheon. Swami Sarveshananda’s eloquent discourses brought unwavering bhakti and faith to life, teaching the importance of facing the everyday pinpricks with strength and poise.

TOP|

CORD USA Interns for Sidhabari Project
by Subha Pathial

CORD Sidhabari’s 2012 summer service program, announced in January 2012, has received enthusiastic responses, with all spaces filling up well before the deadline. This summer, 35 children and 6 parent chaperones will be volunteering at CORD Sidhabari for two weeks in July.

A new year always brings new challenges and offers a new start. In looking back and assessing CORD USA’s progress, 2011 saw various CMW centers fundraising to bring donations to a grand total of $201,000! This is a significant increase compared to 2010’s total of $143,000. It is with heartfelt appreciation and gratitude that CORD USA recognizes the enthusiastic and dedicated efforts of all our CMW Family members across North America in bringing awareness and funding for so many needy CORD projects. A big thank you to one and all: CM Princeton and Philadelphia $51,000; CM Ann Arbor $40,000; CM Chicago $1,700 (marathon) + $20,000 (music program); CM Los Angeles $17,800; CM Boston $15,000; CM Minneapolis $13,200; CM Portland $12,500; CM Miami $12,000; CM Columbus $8,500; CM Kansas City $3,600; CM Austin $2,900 (kite festival); CM Atlanta $2,400; CM Buffalo $1,000.

The recent December 2011 CHYK yatra in India included a visit to CORD Siruvani. Moved by the quiet work and progress witnessed there, Toronto CHYKs organized a unique CHYK retreat entitled, “Starving for Service,” and raised $14,000. The retreat was conducted by Swamini Shivapriyananda (CM Toronto) and Acharya Vivek Gupta (CM Niagara).

Pranji Lodhia, CORD USA director, gave a presentation on CORD at the India Development Coalition of America Conference in Milipitas, Northern California. A local publication, India West, gave a write up on the conference and CORD.

The CORD USA chapter of CM Princeton is partnering with World Cares to help local communities affected by natural disasters. Lisa Orloff, founder and executive director of World Cares, did a training seminar on October 16, 2011 for the Princeton chapter on understanding and implementing disaster relief and recovery efforts.

The CORD USA chapter of CM Washington DC began a monthly drive in Virginia to help cook and serve food at a local homeless shelter. One volunteer said, “It was priceless to see the smiles on the faces of our children as they engaged in this noble service of spreading warmth and love to those in need.”

The CORD USA Princeton chapter held a winter clothes drive in December 2011 and gave the donated items to TASK, or the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. Chinmaya Bala Vihar students in Little Rock, Arizona collected and donated food and sundries to the Arkansas Food Bank.

The CORD USA Portland chapter collected food, volunteered over 150 hours, and donated $1,000 to the Oregon Food Bank, which has purchasing power to get the equivalent of $8 of food for every $1 donated.

It is a little known fact that currently downtown Los Angeles has the maximum number of homeless people in the US. The Chinmaya Bala Vihar students of CM Los Angeles fed the homeless and conducted a Christmas toy drive to put their Vedantic studies into action. For the toy drive, they collected a toy from every BV student and donated it to a local fire station to pass onto needy children who cannot afford toys.

CORD Deuladiha has extended its arms even further. During the last quarter, it had set up four new mahila mandals, thereby increasing the membership base from 856 households to 935 households, four new self-help groups, and two new yuvati mandals.

CORD Kaza brings home the gold: In the last quarter, the children of the CORD Kaza orphanage participated in a local interschool sports competition, in which the gold medals in the long jump, high jump, 100m, and 400m running competitions were all won by the children of Chinmaya Vijaya.

With a paduka puja of Pujya Gurudev, CORD Lathikata inaugurated a new building that includes a dining hall, five residential rooms, and a kitchen on October 5, 2011. Swami Kevalananda presided over this auspicious occasion and encouraged CORD Lathikata to continue dedicatedly serving the tribal people of the area.

CORD Siruvani promoted preventive medicine to over 1,000 patients between October and December 2011 by administering Hepatitis B vaccinations and pap smears, and sharing lifestyle modification information for people with high cholesterol and other preventable diseases. Special eye camps in collaboration with the Eye Foundation and Sankara Eye Center treated over 250 patients, some of whom received cataract surgeries and other interventions. Dental screenings and treatment camps continue to provide excellent care to patients.

CORD Thamaraipakkam members visited CORD Siruvani to meet and learn about their procedures and activities. CORD Thamaraipakkam members also met with the Farmers’ Club members and received valuable information on forming cluster groups, such as paddy groups and sugarcane groups.

CORD Sri Lanka took education to the next level when it facilitated a two-day workshop conducted by Swami Ramakrishnananda and Brahmacharini Mahima Chaitanya for 605 teachers! The workshop focused on CVP, the Chinmaya Vision Program, which promotes four key areas of child development: physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual.

An inspiring and touching story comes from CM Hyderabad, where Brahmacharini Sulabha Chaitanya silently works to help empower local women through the art of threads and needles. The handicrafts created by the rural women have received wonderful reviews.

To help the livelihood opportunities for young girls of rural Andhra Pradesh, Chinmaya Swasti organized a special health care assistants’ training program, which trained attendees to properly address the needs of the elderly, sick, and physically challenged, and learn post-operative and neonatal requirements. The three-month program includes two months of practical training in a recognized hospital.

TOP|

CM Houston’s Annual Bala Vihar Teachers’ Training 2012
by Shalini Somaraj

CM Houston held its annual Chinmaya Bala Vihar Teachers’ Training at its Chinmaya Prabha ashram on April 7, 2012. Welcoming the teaching staff of CM Houston and visiting teachers from across the U.S., Acharya Darshana Nanavaty (CM Houston), collaborative author of Chinmaya Mission’s new ten Bala Vihar teaching manuals, conducted the training to a receptive and discerning audience of 80 teachers, some experienced and some new.

The session began at 9 a.m. with the vision and blessings of the Lord in the serene Shri Saumyakashi Shivalaya temple. The short walk through the delightful courtyard leading to the temple on a beautiful spring morning paved the way for a perfect inspirational start.

Back in the Sarasvati Nilayam hall, the program commenced with the traditional invocation and a meaningful interpretation of the Chinmaya Mission lamp that features the quintessential hamsa. Darshanaji lucidly explained how one needs to have, like the hamsa, right and subtle viveka between the real and unreal, seer and seen. She described the Chinmaya Pradipa as the lamp of Consciousness, in which the oil of dharma lights the flame of Knowledge within.

Darshanaji spoke on the values infused in the Chinmaya Mission Pledge, stating that teamwork divides efforts and multiplies success. She also highlighted how the strength of unity allows a sevak to focus on Oneness and how commitment to the Ideal leads to harmony. She quoted Pujya Gurudev with, “The nobility in your heart must shine out in your actions, in your conduct, in your work.” To emphasize how the Chinmaya army spirit should be deeply ingrained in us, the teachers were given Chinmaya Army caps to don for the rest of the morning session. The articulate instructions, accompanied by amazing visuals, instilled in attendees the enthusiasm to learn more.

During the short break in the ashram’s dining hall, the teachers interacted in small groups as they enjoyed refreshing tea, fruits, and snacks. In the second session of the day, Darshanaji elaborated on Pujya Gurudev’s principle of, “Tell. Never teach.” She spoke on how instruction does not constitute education, which is a goal to be reached by one’s own reflection, and how Chinmaya Bala Vihar material should be presented to children so that it kindles the thirst for knowledge in young students and inspires them to imbibe values through a creative learning process. Exemplifying her point a drawing of a Chinese bamboo tree, she said that after the seed of this tree is planted, for the first four years, nothing can be seen except for a tiny shoot coming out of a bulb, because all growth during this time is underground, in a massive root structure that spreads deep and wide in the earth. Finally, in about the fifth year, the Chinese bamboo tree grows—to over 80 feet tall.

Quoting Kathopanishad, Pujya Gurudev had said, “Stop not until the goal is reached.” Darshanaji selected examples from the curriculum and related them to the well-established methodology of Dr. Bloom’s educational psychology. This demonstration was a very helpful for all the teachers, who got hands-on experience on using Dr. Bloom’s taxonomy to prepare a lesson from a Bala Vihar textbook.

For the afternoon session’s brainstorming activity on the value of respect, the teachers split into four groups and wrote various points on a poster board to conceive a statement that answers the four basic questions of what is respect, why respect, whom to respect, and how to express respect. A representative from each group presented the group’s thoughts, which led to enriching and lively discussions. Darshanaji closed the discussions by impressing on how following any one spiritual principle in every walk of life steers one toward a fulfilling spiritual and ethical life.

In the concluding afternoon session after the tea break, Darshanaji spoke on the importance of righteous living, how the Om within us is the dharma that enlivens us, and how dharma protects one who lives by dharma. She spoke on the cornerstones of dharma—satyam (truth), ahimsa (nonviolence), and brahmacharya (self-control)—and how reflection and meditation on the Lord helps one provide nurturing care and unfolds a meaningful spiritual life. She ended with an emphasis on picking any one relatable value from the Chinmaya Mission Pledge and living it without compromise.

Finally, the teachers were taken on a brief classroom tour to see the structure, displays, and activity boards. The event ended with a question and answer session, and the stirring resonance of the traditional closing prayer.

TOP|

Festival Celebrations by CM Calgary
Report submitted by CM Calgary

CM Calgary devotees celebrated MahaShivaratri and Holi on February 14 and March 11, 2012, respectively, offering inspiring and devotional joy to the entire community. Both occasions were marked with chanting, puja, cultural presentation, talk, bhajans, and prasad.

At the MahaShivaratri celebrations, everyone offered abhiskekam with milk and archana with flowers. During the abhishekam, devotees chanted Nirvana Shatakam and Lingashtakam. Shiva Ashtottara Namavali (108 names of Lord Shiva) was chanted throughout the archana. The puja concluded with aarti, which was followed by a presentation from Chinmaya Bala Vihar students on the significance of MahaShivaratri. The presentation included the legends, symbols, celebratory traditions across India, and the meaning of MahaShivaratri in everyone’s life. The event concluded with Shiva bhajans, a talk presentation on the characteristics and symbolism of Lord Shiva, and mahaprasad.

Holi was also celebrated with traditional prayers, the story of Bhakta Prahlada and Holika and Prahlada, the significance of Holi, bhajans, and prasad. The event beautifully captured the zeitgeist of Holi in India, as captured in the photos.

TOP|

CM Washington D.C.’s MahaShivaratri Celebrations
by Andrea Beri and Ananya Krishnan

Mahashivaratri was a grand celebration at CM Washington D.C., commencing before sunrise at 5 a.m. with a Shiva Manasa Puja. A few hours later, Chinmaya Bala Vihar students participated in the Shiva Puja led by resident acharya, Swami Dheerananda. Over 75 students sat on stage, prepared their own altars, and offered bilva leaves in their puja.

Swamiji guided devotees through a second Shiva Manasa Puja, which began in daylight and ended after sunset. The night was ushered in with powerful chanting by select Bala Vihar students from the Virginia chapter and a Shiva bhajan. Once more, Swamiji led the traditional puja, which was enhanced by a few dances by students from the Fredrick chapter. Devotion filled the air as the performers sought to touch the Lord’s heart with their offerings.

The remainder of the evening was spent in singing the glories of the Lord and mahaprasad. The sacred celebrations were concluded with Swamiji’s blowing of the conch at the altar.

TOP|