Celebrate Life Our Greatest Gift! Chinmaya Mission Pledge We stand as one family bound to each other with love and respect. We serve as an army, courageous and disciplined, ever ready to fight against all low tendencies and false values within and without us. We live honestly the noble life of sacrifice and service producing more than what we consume and giving more than what we take. We seek the Lord’s grace to keep us on the path of virtue, courage, and wisdom. May thy grace and blessings flow through us to the world around us. We believe that the service of our country is the service of the Lord of Lords, and devotion to the people is the devotion to the Supreme Self. We know our responsibilities; give us the ability and courage to fulfill them. OM TAT SAT
I am the sweet fragrance in earth and the brilliance in fire, the life in all beings, and I am austerity in the austere. I am the Self, O Gudakesha, seated in the hearts of all beings; I am the Beginning, the Middle and also the End of all beings. Page 2
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 Table of Contents Fundraising Event Program .............................................................................................4 Pujya Gurudev - Swami Chinmayananda.........................................................5 Pujya Guruji - Swami Tejomayananda..............................................................6 Pujya Swami Swaroopananda..........................................................................................7 Message from Swami Swaroopananda............................................................8 Swami Sarveshananda......................................................................................9 Swami Sharanananda .......................................................................... 11 Sri Jetindra K.Nayar...................................................................................... 13 Sri Sapna Nayar............................................................................................. 15 Sri Dhiren Khatri........................................................................................... 17 Chinmaya Mission- Services and Programs............................................................. 20 Discourses and Study Groups....................................................................................... 23 Divinity in Nature - Swami Tapovanam ........................................................ 26 The Wheel of Life - Swami Tapovanam.......................................................... 30 Badri Adult Study Classes - Description.................................................................... 33 Badri Additional Classes Sunday.................................................................................. 34 Yamunotri - Discourses by Spiritual Guides............................................................. 37 The Art of Love - Swami Chinmayananda..................................................... 40 The Game of Life - Swami Tejomayananda................................................... 47 Bala Vihar.............................................................................................................................. 53 Other classes for Children Badri................................................................................... 54 Stuti Vandana...................................................................................................................... 57 There is a Messiah among us - Swami Swaroopananda ......................................62 The Life of Rhythm and Joy - Swami Chinmayananda.................................. 68 Gangotri Weekly Activities............................................................................................. 72 The individual, the world, and God - Swami Chinmayananda........................... 73 Index of Sponsors and Advertisers ............................................................................83 Page 3
Chinmaya Mission Chicago Fundraising Event Program 7:10-7:30 pm Bhajans and dance by Bala Vihar children 7:30 pm onwards Purna Kumbha, Lamp lighting and Fundraiser inauguration Inspirational Messages from Swami Sharanananda and Swami Sarveshananda Music and Dance performances by local artists and Chinmaya Youth Mission Status Updates Seva projects during pandemic Vote of Thanks and Concluding prayers by Chinmaya Bala Vihar children Page 4
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 Pujya Gurudev H. H. Swami Chinmayananda Swami Chinmayananda (known to his followers as Gurudev) was born in 1916 in Kerala, India, and is preeminent among the wave of Vedantic teachers who emerged in the 1940s following the expansion of Vedānta to the West by Swami Vivekananda. He is a direct disciple of world-renowned Vedāntic luminaries Swami Sivananda and Swami Tapovan of Uttarkashi. Swami Chinmayananda is credited with the renaissance of spirituality and cultural values in India, because of his modern and dynamic approach to the spread of the ageless wisdom of Advaita Vedanta, as expounded by Adi Shankaracharya. Swami Chinmayananda attained mahasamadhi on August 3, 1993. His legacy remains in a wide variety of publication forms (books, videos, and audios); in various social service projects; in the innumerable Vedānta teachers he taught and inspired; and in the hundreds of Chinmaya Mission centers established worldwide, serving the spiritual and cultural needs of local communities. He inspired the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth – a Deemed-to-be-University in the ‘de novo’ category that started in 2016. Page 5
Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! Pujya Guruji H. H. Swami Tejomayananda Swami Tejomayananda, Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide from 1993 to 2017, is one of the Mission’s preeminent senior teachers in India, teaching in English, Hindi and Marathi. Fondly addressed as Guruji and described by his own guru as an exquisite teacher. Swamiji, in his teaching, combines the erudite and penetrating vision of an established exponent of Advaita Vedanta with the soft heart and melodious voice of a bhakti yogi. Swami Tejomayananda continues the missionary work of his guru, offering Vedanta jñāna yajñas throughout India in an extraordinary yearly schedule, publishing highly readable commentaries on the Upanishads and other key texts and sponsoring cultural revival through patronage of an exemplary and prestigious program of music and dance tuition and concerts at Chinmaya Naada Bindu, the Fine Arts Department of the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth University. Guruji received the Padma Bhushan award in 2016, the civilian award of the country for distinguished service. Page 6
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 Pujya Swami Swaroopananda Global Head Chinmaya Mission Worldwide Swami Swaroopananda is the Global Head of Chinmaya Mission. A direct disciple of Swami Chinmayananda, he joined the Mission in his youth, trained in the Sandeepany Sadhanalaya seminary in Mumbai, and after several years of teaching, became Regional Head of the Mission in Australia, United Kingdom, Middle East, Africa, and the Far East. Presently, he is Chairman of the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth Trust and Director of the Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore, India. Swami Swaroopananda has a remarkable rapport with youth and has carried on the highly influential work of his Guru with young people to make spirituality a central pillar in their lives. His tremendous work in bringing out the essential wisdom and underlying unity of all religions has garnered him a place among the vanguards of self-development philosophy. Page 7
Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! Message from Swami Swaroopananda Hari Om! Greetings from Sidhabari! I am very happy to learn that Chinmaya Mission Chicago is organizing its Annual Fundraising Banquet on 12 December 2020 on the theme ‘Celebrate Life, Our Greatest Gift’. This year, you are all meeting online. How wonderful! I say this because I am reminded of our Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda, who once said: “To live in a routine will never yield the secret of living in inspiration. To get habituated to any method is to get into a rut and balk from all progress. We must have the freedom, at every moment, to change our pattern of living and seek new methods of keeping the mind and intellect occupied in lively warmth of love and cheer, or else even our worship becomes mechanical and, in the end, stultifying. Don’t keep going from place to place routinely going through the same thing. Let there be a quantum leap!” The present challenging times around the world present an opportunity to the spiritual seeker. An opportunity for us to make a leap, not just in the way we do things, but also in how we face situations around us. If we can learn to RELISH life and its challenges with unbounded enthusiasm and a smile - we will make a quantum leap within ourselves. I wish you all success! Love, at His feet, When there is no enthusiasm or inspiration, consistency of purpose can never be. - Swami Chinmayananda - Page 8
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 Swami Sarveshananda Spiritual Guide, Chinmaya Mission Dallas-Fortworth, USA Inspired by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Sarveshananda joined the Vedanta Course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai in 1993. In 1995, he was initiated as a Brahmachari and posted as the Resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission, Vijayawada where he served until June, 2002. Thereafter, he was appointed as the Resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission in Dallas, Texas. He was bestowed Sanyasa Diksha (order of renunciation) by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri (March 03, 2011). A dynamic and engaging speaker, Swami Sarveshananda works tirelessly to spread the wisdom of Vedanta through retreats, workshops, camps and innovative youth programs. Swami Sarveshananda has touched many lives through his service, dedication and loving presence. He is popular with children and youth because of his ability to connect with young minds. Swamiji also serves the National Director of Chinmaya Mission Yuva Kendra (CHYK) West, the youth wing of Chinmaya Mission West. Guiding the youth all across North America including Trinidad and Tobago. CHYK West aims to increase spiritual awareness among youth and young adults (18 – 35 years) so that they live life purposefully – with a clear and noble personal vision and an attitude of service to the community. Swami Sarveshananda was himself a CHYK while growing up in India, and received guidance from Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda. In spite of a demanding schedule, Swami Sarveshananda is never too busy to bring cheer to a little child, guide a restless teenager or joke with volunteers to light up their day. His calm demeanor and easy-going nature puts everyone at ease. He advises, “Walking the spiritual path is not easy, but it’s worth it. An ounce of effort makes a world of difference to us and the world around us.” Page 9
Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! Message from Swami Sarveshananda Harih Om! What you have is all His Gift to you. What you do with what you have is your Gift to Him! - Swami Chinmayananda- Page 10
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 Swami Sharanananda Spiritual Guide Chinmaya Mission Chicago - Badri Center Swami Sharanananda hails from Puri in Orissa. Having been inspired by Pujya Gurudev H.H. Swami Chinmayananda, he joined the two year brahmachari training course in Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai, in the year 1986 and was trained by H.H. Swami Tejomayananda. He was given Brahmachari Diksha in 1988 and became Br. Sharana Chaitanya. He has served Chinmaya Mission centers in Anugul, Rourkela (Orissa) and Calcutta. In March 1993 Swamiji came to Chicago as our resident Acharya. On July 9, 1995 he was initiated into Sannyasa Diksha by H.H. Swami Tejomayananda and was named Swami Sharanananda. Swamiji places great importance on value based living. During Swamiji’s tenure at Chinmaya Mission Chicago, the center has not only thrived, but has expanded to serve the spiritual needs of many neighboring communities. Yamunotri in Graylake, IL, Peoria, IL and NW Indiana center in Merrillville, IN are prime examples of the growth that CMC has experienced within the past several years. Swamiji periodically travels to the neighboring states of Iowa, Ohio and Minnesota, to conduct camps for children and discourses for adults. Swamiji also conducts scriptural and Bala Vihar classes during Chinmaya Mission family camps held throughout America. Swamiji’s loving and humble personality is a great source of inspiration to all that come in contact with him. His joyful exuberance and enthusiasm is contagious and uplifting to all that come in contact with him. Page 11
Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! Celebrate Life – Our Greatest Gift! by Swami Sharanananda All of us are very much familiar with “Living”, that is the transaction of the individual (PFT) in the phenomenal world (OET) through the body, mind and intellect(BMI). Since living is always associated with imperfection and it is very difficult to live with imperfection, the individual always strives to remove this nagging feeling by being involved in various selfish activities to acquire varieties of things and win over other people. Getting a job, earning wealth, owning a property, winning over someone’s trust, binding somebody as one’s spouse, demanding respect are some of the steps we take towards this end. But the irony is, even if all the things and beings of this world come to our possession, still there will be no alleviation of deficiency in us. We are very fortunate that everything we want does not happen in our lives. Otherwise it will be very difficult to even survive, much less function. “Living” is always beset with ups and downs, uncertainties, agitations, conflicts, excitation and depression. To celebrate “Living” one has to pretend a lot, spend a fortune, do a colossal amount of waste, sacrifice one’s health and serenity of mind. “Living” is not worth celebrating as day by day it moves forward to a halt. On the other hand, “Life” is complete, pure, same everywhere and at every time. “Life” does not need anything to be added for its enhancement nor can be depreciated by not feeding to it. “Living” and “Life” are completely different from each other. “Living” depends on “Life” but not vice versa. Because of “Life”, “Living” is possible. “Living” is one of the expressions of “Life”. Life is full of Love and Happiness. Truly one is “Pure Life” and never it’s expression. By realizing it as oneself- Nandati, Nandati Nandatyeva, one only rejoices. The choice is ours; - either struggle to make “Living Celebratory” or realize that “Life” itself is a celebration. It is the true gift. Our mission devotees are serving Pujya Gurudev sincerely to propagate the wisdom of Vedanta. Pray for the success of their effort. Harih OM! Page 12
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 Sri Jetindra K. Nayar Spiritual Guide Chinmaya Mission Chicago - Yamunotri Center Shri Jetindra K. Nayar was born in Ludhiana. He migrated with his parents thereafter to settle in Kolkata. After completing his masters degree in Commerce, and degrees in law and Chartered Accountancy, he practiced as an independent chartered accountant for over 40 years. His spiritual pursuit started in 1976, when he was attending spiritual discourses at Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Kolkata. In 1988 Param Pujya Gurudev came for a Jnan Yagna in front of his residence. He was mesmerized by the discourse and longed to pursue further studies in Vedanta. Since 1995, he has been actively associated with Chinmaya Mission Kolkata in pursuit of spiritual studies. He served as Vice President, President of Vanprastha Sansthan, Kolkata chapter and also as Secretary of Chinmaya Mission Kolkata for more than a decade. He and his wife Smt. Swapna Nayar were very much inspired by Swami Advaitanandaji, who was Acharya of Chinmaya Mission Kolkata from the year 2000-2007. Under his guidance, he was ‘Sevak’ for multiple study classes in different parts of the city. With the grace of the Lord and entire Guru Parampara, he and his wife completed the residential 2 year Vedanta course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai in 2013. They began their service as Acharyas of the Kolkata Mission, until their appointment by Pujya Guruji to be the resident Acharyas in the Chinmaya Mission in Chicago. Page 13
Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! Celebrate Life – Our Greatest Gift! by Sri Jetindra Nayar Beautiful princess Devahuti, daughter of emperor Manu, married sage Kardama. She served her husband and helped him in his sadhana at his ashram. She became weak and emaciated on account of her religious observances. One day, sage Kardama notices it. Davahuti desired for family and a suitable house. Her husband with his wonderful ‘Yogic Powers’ provided an aerial mansion which could range at will. The mansion was equipped with all luxuries, which we even can’t imagine, and the couple was attended by 1000 young beautiful Gandharva girls. They traveled to different spheres and enjoyed different heavenly gardens. She became mother of nine girls and longed for a male child. Lord Kapila was born later. Most of us enjoy our lives in this fashion by satisfying our desires in the world of objects and create more vasanas which is the cause of our future births. We never get permanent happiness and fulfillment. Devahuti told her son, Lord Kapila, that she is sick of cravings of her wicked senses and she must put forth unremitting efforts to gratify their craving and thus has fallen into deep abyss of ignorance. Therefore, to remove her sorrow, Lord Kapila gave her the knowledge of the self, remover of all sorrows of the world. The birth in the human form is the greatest gift of the Lord to us. All other forms of beings are ‘Bhog Bhumi’. In human form, we have freedom of action. By action we create vasanas and get bound and by right action we can liberate ourselves and enjoy permanent happiness and fulfillment here in this birth. Scriptures are the right means to know how to act in this world so that we can exhaust our existing vasanas. If we fail to follow the instructions of scriptures, our next birth may not be in human form. Lord guarantees human form in one case. If anyone who has fallen from Yoga, while practicing in this life, is born again in the house of pure and wealthy or is born in the family of the wise Yogi which is rare. Let us put in all efforts to purify our mind and get the knowledge of the Self in this life. This is real celebration of life- greatest gift to us. Page 14
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 Smt. Swapna Nayar Spiritual Guide Chinmaya Mission Chicago - Yamunotri Center Smt. Swapna was born and raised in a zamindar family in West Bengal, India. Being raised in a religious family with their own temples and shrines, she has had an inclination towards spirituality since childhood. After graduating in Arts from University of Calcutta, she spent the next twenty years in raising her daughters with her husband Sri Jetindra K. Nayar. She started Vedantic studies in 1995 at Chinmaya Mission Kolkata. This pursuit of knowledge continued for the next 16 years under the guidance of different Acharyas and Swamijis and Param Pujya Guruji at the Mission. Swami Advaitanandji created a great urge for ‘knowledge of self ’ in them during his residence at the Kolkata Mission from 2000 to 2007. Smt. Swapna was the ‘Sevak’ for multiple study classes. Having received formal training in Hindustani Classical Music since childhood, she also enjoyed singing Bhajans in different occasions / celebrations in the Mission. With the grace of the Lord and entire Guru Parampara, she and her husband completed the residential 2 year Vedanta course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai in 2013. They began their service as Acharyas of the Kolkata Mission, until their appointment by Param Pujya Guruji to be the resident Acharyas in the Chinmaya Mission in Chicago. Page 15
Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! Celebrate Life – Our Greatest Gift! by Smt. Swapna Nayar Page 16
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 Sri Dhiren Khatri Spiritual Guide Chinmaya Mission Chicago Shri Dhiren Khatri was born and raised in Mumbai, India. He came to the U.S. as a child with his family and completed his high school and university studies here. After working for three years, he experienced a sense of discontentment that led him to seek a higher, more fulfilling purpose than a routine life of labor. With an intensified longing to know more about God, Hindu scriptures, and Vedantic philosophy, he soon learned of an opportunity to fulfill all these needs. And so he left to join the two-year course of study at ‘Sandeepany Sadhanalaya’ in Mumbai, India. There, under the guidance of Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, he studied under Swami Advayananda, the resident course Acharya, and Swami Sharadananda, the resident Upacharya. On the successful completion of the Vedanta Course in 2013, he was posted to CM Chicago, where he currently conducts Vedanta classes at Badri & Yamunotri. Email: [email protected] Silently hear everyone. Accept what is good. Reject and forget what is not. This is intelligent living. - Swami Chinmayananda - Page 17
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Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! Chinmaya Mission Services and Programs Mission Statement: The purpose of Chinmaya Mission is to provide to individuals, from any background, the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become positive contributors to the society. Chinmaya Mission makes available the ageless wisdom of Vedanta, the knowledge of the One Reality, and provides the tools to realize that wisdom in one’s life. “To give maximum happiness to the maximum number for the maximum time” is the tenet that drives Mission workers to uplift humanity beyond selfish and sectarian attitudes and activities. Each person’s gain is manifold: personal growth, heightened efficiency, contentment, and the ability to live with others in peace and harmony. There are over 340 Chinmaya Mission centers worldwide, and close to 40 centers in the United States. World-Wide activities: • Intensive Vedanta Courses (training for Chinmaya Mission’s order of brahmacharis) • Publications • Regional Centers • Temples and Shrines • Schools and Colleges • Medical Services and Training • Rural Village Development Projects • Pitamaha Sadans (senior citizens’ homes) • Management Courses and Services • Research in Sanskrit and Indology Local activities: • Gynana Yagnyas (Vedanta lecture series, seminars, workshops) • Bala Vihar (Vedanta forum through weekly classes for children and youth, grades Preschool through High School • Study Groups (Vedanta forum for adults) • Devi Groups (Vedanta study and discussion forum for women and homemakers) • Spiritual Retreats and Camps • Language Classes, Stuti Vandana (Stotras Chanting), Vishnu Sahasranam and Vedic Chanting • Music and Fine Arts Classes • Yoga Classes • Interfaith Dialogue and Prayers • Community Health Fairs and Seminars • Blood Drives • Charity events for the benefit of the local community (FMSC, book drives, toy drives, food drives, collection of funds in disaster struck areas locally and globally). Page 20
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 • Shrimad Bhagavad Gita coaching, recitation and competitions. • Vedanta in Practice (Community Service Programs) • Math Enrichment • ACT/SAT Preparation & Training • CHYK Forum (For College Students & Young Professionals) • Chinmaya Swaranjali (Devotional music/bhajan) • Rudram/Chamkam Chanting Chinmaya Mission is open to all members of the community and serves the spiritual needs of families through the two major centers in the greater Chicagoland area. Please contact the respective sevaks of each center for detailed information regarding each listed activity or visit the web site at: www.chinmaya-chicago.org for the activities at Badri, or www. chinmaya-yamunotri.org for the activities at Yamunotri. Badri 11S080, Rt 83 (Kingery Hwy) , Willowbrook, IL, 60527 Badri currently has about 400 registered children and approximately 300 active adult participants in study groups. Badri serves the needs of families in the Chicago area and the surrounding suburbs. The Bala Vihar and study groups meet every Sunday, except a few major holiday weekends. The first session is from 10:00 - 11:30 am For further information regarding activities at Badri, please contact: Swami Sharananandaji Phone: 630-654-3370 email: [email protected] Sri Shanker Pillai Phone: 630-789-6607 email: [email protected] Sri Dhiren Khatri Phone: 224-612-0403 email: [email protected] Ashok Dholakia Phone: 630-789-6396 email: [email protected] Website: www.mychinmaya.org Yamunotri 30877 N. Fairfield Rd. Grayslake, IL, 60030 Yamunotri currently has about 400 registered children and approximately 200 active adult participants in study groups. Yamunotri serves communities in the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin areas, not limited to, but including Libertyville, Mundelein, Grayslake, Gurnee, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Skokie, Vernon Hills, Hoffman Estates, Waukegan, Zion, Beach Park, Racine, WI, Kenosha, WI. Due to the increased enrollment Yamunotri now has 3 sessions of Bala Vihar and Adult Study Groups; 2 sessions on Saturday, and one on Sunday. except a few major holiday weekends. Saturday Session 1 is from 10:00 am to Noon. Sunday Session is from 10:00 – Noon Page 21
Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! Language classes including Sanskrit, Hindi Level I, II & III, Tamil, & Telegu are from 12:30 – 1:30 pm on Saturday, and Hindi and Sanskrit from 12:15 – 1:15 pm on Sundays For further information regarding activities at Yamunotri, please contact: Sri Jetindra Nayar Phone: 847-740-1215 email: [email protected] Sri Swapna Nayar Phone: 847-740-1215 email: [email protected] Sri Dhiren Khatri Phone: 224-612-0403 email: [email protected] Rajul Bhalala Phone: 847-302-2383 email: [email protected] Ashok Bhatia Phone: 847-680-4735 email: [email protected] Premal Joshipura Phone: 847-362-6073 email: [email protected] Shubi Mansukhani Phone: 847-707-8500 email: [email protected] Jothi Arun Phone: 224-430-0052 email: [email protected] Website: www.chinmaya-yamunotri.org Gangotri Bennett Day School, 955 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 The Chicago City Center started in 2015 thanks to the work of a group of dedicated volunteers. In our fourth year, Bala Vihar classes from KG to High School are now being held on Sundays from 9:30 to 11.30 am at the Bennett Day School. On September 6, 2018 our center was given the blessed name of Gangotri by Pujya Swami Swaroopanandaji. Under the guidance of Swami Sharanananda and Shri Dhiren Khatri, Adult Study Groups and Bala Vihar classes are conducted by dedicated sevaks/ sevikas. We are growing as a community and serve over 50 families in the city and surrounding areas. To accommodate the growing needs, Shishu Vihar, Sanskrit and Bhajan classes are slated to be introduced in the New Year. The vibrant Gangotri center has had talks from many visiting Swamijis of Chinmaya Mission, that have inculcated a hunger for continued satsanga in the minds of the members. For more information, please contact : Nitish Kanabar: 347-829- 9099 Meera Mahenthiran: 312-622- 3402 Website: https://www.chinmayagangotri.org Please see page 72 for the description of Gangotri weekly activities. Page 22
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 Discourses and Study Groups The most important follow-up measure of the Gnyana Yagnyas (discourses) is the Study Group program. The basic concept of the Study Group is to study the scriptures by those who have a curiosity and thirst to benefit from the perennial wisdom of the Rishis. What is read or heard, in order to take root, must be thought over (tat chintanam). The test of clear thinking is in the ability to express our thoughts clearly (tat kathanam). Again, whether our understanding is right and proper, is brought out in the rational and mutual discussion of the Study Group members (anyonya prabodhanam). Thus, to the sincere and diligent student, the Study Group technique provides an opportunity and a forum for gaining a deep and quick perspective of our scriptures. The forum, in the Satsang atmosphere, also fosters and develops brotherly understanding amongst the members and strengthens the “One Family” concept. Each Study Group member is allotted a portion of the text. During the subsequent class the Sevak summarizes the proceedings of the last class and requests the designated member to give a presentation of the portion allotted. After the member has finished his contributions and raised questions, the Sevak requests other members for their supplementary contributions on the topic under discussion, and also answers to questions raised. Repetition of stanzas and word meanings given in the text under study are essential in understanding and in becoming familiar with Sanskrit verses. After all members of the group have shared their thoughts, the Sevak, as a member of the class, also makes his/her contributions. After the 60 minutes of class time, the Sevak will punctually close the class with the recitation of a prayer by all and quietly disperse with “Hari Om”. By following the procedure with sincerity and enthusiasm, members get clarity on the essence of the text under study, by the technique of cooperative thinking. The goal of the study group is not the attainment of anything in the outside world, but rather the inner ability to better face the world and its manifold challenges. Page 23
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Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! Divinity in Nature by Swami Tapovan [The following article is taken from Ishwara Darshan, wherein Swami Tapovan describes the inner tranquility experienced in deep communion with nature.] While standing near Gomukh, under the high dazzling snow- covered peaks of the Himalayas, watching nature all around with wonder-struck eyes, there can be no room for worldly thoughts, sorrows, or memories of the past. The mind reaches a state of concentration devoid of all distracting thoughts. It is then steeped in ineffable joy at the sight of the snow, divinely beautiful in its own right, and is led forward into a state of samādhi (divine absorption). Sāttvic joy is something that can be attained only through long and arduous discipline. At Gomukh, one reaches this state without effort. The heavenly bliss that one comes to experience in the midst of natural beauty is superior to the common pleasure of the rājasic man. … Today people may laugh at such notions as heaven, ascent into heaven, a visit to holy places as an act of merit, and death at the spot as a passport to the realm of the gods. They may deride all that is said about such things as the ravings of fools. Yet, even they cannot deny the natural attractions of the surrounding landscapes of the Himalayas. The snow-clad peaks shining like silver or gold in the sunshine and the noise of the avalanches resembling the bursts of cannons convert the region into a wonderland, and fill the hearts of theists and atheists with astonishment and admiration. As for me, my heart was dancing with joy at the divine splendor all around me. My mind was intoxicated with the glory of God. God Himself shines here as this mass of spotless snow, as lakes and springs, as these tall peaks and these powerful cold blasts, and these crystalline streams. All I see is God. The Himalayas are God, the entire earth is God. Everything exists in Him. Everything shines because of His brightness. All beauty is His. I enjoyed the natural beauty of that divine region, realizing His presence everywhere, whether in the snow or mountains, in lakes or rivers, in stone or soil, in sunshine or wind, in pleasure or sorrow. Silent Hymns Observe what these snow-white peaks, dazzling in the sun, are doing in this lovely place, inaccessible to man and animal. They are sweetly, perpetually singing hymns to God; they do nothing else. When I say so, you may be inclined to laugh at the idea: “What! Are we to imagine that this inanimate mountain, a mere heap of earth and stone, sings like a skilled musician?” The silent grandeur, the enormous extent and unshakeable firmness of the Continued on next page... Page 26
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 mountain, and the divine beauty and fragrance of the flowers that fascinate even birds and beasts — these are, in themselves, hymns to God. The music, of course, is not vocal. But vocal music is harsh and grating compared with the silent music of the sights around me here. Heard melodies are sweet; those unheard are sweeter! The perennial stream of the Alakānanda, and this waterfall, Vasudhāra — what are they doing here? They, too, are loudly and ceaselessly singing the glory of God: “It is from this that all forms of streams flow.” These streams are gratefully singing the praise of the Creator who makes them flow. These fine birds, sweeping along the skies, are proclaiming the matchless glory of the Lord. Look at those charming flowers, bright with many colors, blooming here on the meadow! They, too, proclaim nothing else. In this holy land everything seems to join in that universal harmony. I had my bath in the Vasudhāra and then sat down on the plain, which shone bright with fresh, green grass and lovely flowers, to enjoy the gentle warmth of the sun. Gradually, my ears were filled with the divine music issuing from all sides. That lifted me to the thought of the glory of God, and slowly, I attained a state of meditation in which I became unconscious of the material world around me …. Without eating anything, I was filled; without friends and things to gladden, my heart was filled with bliss. Intoxicated with divine joy, I forgot all distinction between me and the world around me. All sense of duality disappeared. I was now one with the Vasudhāra, the Himalayas, the world itself. In that union, I felt the fullness of divine joy. That oneness is the Truth, the blissful Truth. O Himalaya! I find no end to your spiritual greatness. As a dweller among the Himalayas, I have indeed listened with rapture to your divine song from day to day; but, really, very rarely have I experienced that ecstasy which I attained today. Page 27
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Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 The Wheel of Life by Swami Tapovan The wheel of life goes on revolving, whether it be in the cities or among the mountains. The wheel revolves or rather God revolves it by the power of His māyā. His creatures eat and drink, work and rest, love and hate, enjoy and suffer — this goes on everywhere, unaffected by birth or death, by prosperity or adversity, of this individual or the other. How wonderful and amazing is the divine eternal sport! How many parents, kings, scholars, and patriots pass away! Yet, not for a moment does the wheel stand still. When one is removed, another steps into the breach. That is Nature’s law. How foolish then is it to lament, “Who will look after my children when I am gone? How will these poor ones live unless I feed them? Who is there to work for the prosperity of this land when I am dead?” Work we must, but let not pride drag us down to perdition. The votaries of such pride are the kith and kin of the stupid old woman who said, “The sun will not rise tomorrow unless my cock crows.” Only think of the merciful Almighty who creates and maintains the entire universe. So long as He is there, why worry like this? However great or powerful one might be, what right has he to think, “How can the world go on without me?” Who, indeed, is indispensable? What is man’s power beside God’s! The omnipotent Father of the universe carries on everything by Himself. Everything works because of His power. His greatness is manifest everywhere and in everything. Page 30
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Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 Adult Study Classes at Badri - Description All adults are invited to attend these special classes for further study of our Scriptures Sunday School Activities – via zoom until a decision to return to Badri is made depending on COVID situation Bhagavad Gita Discourses in English Sunday 9:00 - 9:30 am The Bhagavad Gita is a “Manual of Life.” It is the “Song of the Lord.” It begins with the word ’dharma’ and ends with the word ’mama’. Together they mean ’my dharma’ or ’my essential nature’. To know our essential nature is the goal of our life. Upadesha Sara Discourse by Swami Sharanananda Sunday 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM Adult Study Groups Sunday 9:30 - 10:30 am Several adult study groups studying different texts: Kindle Life, Bhaja Govindam, Tattva Bodha, Mahah Shodanam, Bhagavad Gita Chapter II, Bhagavad Gita Chapter X, & Yoga Vasishtha. Vivekachoodamani Class Tuesday - 7:00 - 8:00 pm Vedanta is truly the Science of Life. One of the greatest texts written by Bhagavan Adi Sankaracharya, the great interpreter of Vedanta, is the Vivekachoodamani. It means “The Crest-Jewel of Discrimination.” It is the cream of the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Geeta, and re-educates the student, in a systematic way, to provide him with a new vision of life. The Goal and the Path are both exhaustively dealt with. To one who is making a deep study of Vivekachoodamani, no other help is needed for leading him to a spiritual life, guiding him for his self improvement and attainment of the goal of life. Devi Group Wednesdays - 10:00 - Noon Ladies gather to learn Vedic Chanting & Sanskrit, and are covering Bhagavad Gita Chapter XVI Page 33
Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! Dhyana Svaroopam Class for Sevikas & Sevakas Sunday 8:15 - 8:50 am, 12:15 - 12:50 pm “The Nature of Meditation” composed by Guruji, Swami Tejomayanandaji Yoga & Meditation Saturdays 10:00 - 11:15 am (via Zoom) Vishnu Sahasranama Sunday 8:00 - 8:45 am Sunday 12:30 - 12:55 pm Stuti Vandana Sunday 11:30 - 11:50 am Sunday 12:30 - 12:50 pm Gita Chanting Sunday 11:00 - 11:35 am Sunday 11:40 am - 12:15 pm Vedic & Rudram Chanting Sunday 11:30 - Noon Chinmaya Swaranjali Sunday 11:50 am - 12:30 pm Math Enrichment Sundays 12:00 - 12:50 pm Sanskrit Classes, Level I & II Sundays 12:00 - 12:50 pm Page 34
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Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 Yamunotri - Discourses by Spiritual Guides All adults are invited to attend these special classes for further study of our Scriptures Bhagavad Gita Discourses in English Saturday 9:30 - 10:15 am Sunday 9:30 – 10:15 am Zoom: 864 3044 4734, PW: Yamunotri Sunday 9:00 - 9:30 am and 1:00 - 1:30 pm The Bhagavad Gita is a “Manual of Life.” It is the “Song of the Lord.” It begins with the word ’dharma’ and ends with the word ’mama’. Together they mean ‘my dharma’ or ‘my essential nature’. To know our essential nature is the goal of our life. Discourses are based on Bhagavan Shankaracharyaji bhasya. Bhagavad Gita Discourse in Hindi Alternate Thursdays Zoom: 868 2212 5083, PW: Yamunotri Discourses on the Bhagavad Gita in Hindi, from the beginning. Discourses are based on Bhagavan Shankaracharyaji bhasya. Vivekachoodamani Class Sunday Mornings - 8:00 - 9:00 am Zoom: 873 0575 9733, PW: Yamunotri Tuesday - 7:00 - 8:00 pm Vedanta is truly the Science of Life. One of the greatest texts written by Bhagavan Adi Sankaracharya, the great interpreter of Vedanta, is the Vivekachoodamani. It means “The Crest-Jewel of Discrimination.” It is the cream of the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Geeta, and re-educates the student, in a systematic way, to provide him with a new vision of life. The Goal and the Path are both exhaustively dealt with. To one who is making a deep study of Vivekachoodamani, no other help is needed for leading him to a spiritual life, guiding him for his self improvement and attainment of the goal of life. Page 37
Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! Discourses by Spiritual Guides - continued All adults are invited to attend these special classes for further study of our Scriptures Srimad Bhagavata Maha Purana Tuesday Mornings - 10:30 - 11:30 am Zoom: 894 5829 4054, PW: Yamunotri The main thesis of the Bhagavatam is to inculcate the glory and greatness of Bhagwan Shri Krishna and the necessity of cultivating devotion to Him. Just by listening to the Bhagavata Katha, Lord enters the heart of the devotee and cleanses all impurities. Devi Group Friday Mornings - 10:30 - 11:30 am Zoom: 812 8037 7020, PW: Yamunotri This class is conducted by Smt. Swapna Nayar. Ladies gather to learn Vedic Chanting, Sanskrit, and discourses on Panchadasi (Chapter X) Other Classes at Yamunotri Adult Study Groups Saturday and Sunday Sessions Due to pandemic, the number of adult study groups has been reduced temporarily from 11 to 7 in two sessions, studying different texts: Kindle Life, Tattva Bodhah, Narada Bhakti Sutra & Kenopanishad. Sanskrit Classes, Level I & II Saturday 12:30 - 1:30pm Conducted by Chinmaya Mission Chicago and Samskrita Bharati USA. Objectives: • Ability to speak in Samskritam • Vocabulary-building for everyday conversation • Ability to form sentences with multiple clauses • Ability to tell simple stories in Samskritam Language Classes: Hindi, Tamil, Samskritam Saturday 12:30 - 1:30 pm - Hindi, Tamil, Samskritam Sunday 12:15 - 1:15 pm- Hindi All children registered for Bala Vihar are eligible to join a language class of their choice on Saturdays, and Hindi on Sundays. Page 38
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Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! The Art of Love by Swami Chinmayananda As we have seen in Part One, man feels a painful sense of loneliness; to escape from it, he tries various means. All of them in the end prove unsatisfactory. They can give him, no doubt, temporary relief, but, again and again, he starts feeling that he is alone in himself. The only moments when he is happy and at peace are the moments when he feels union with others in love. In the fusion of love with another, man feels uplifted, enthralled, divinized. This demand is the most fundamental urge in the human bosom, and this is the holy passion that holds homes, communities, nations, and races together. This love is of two distinct types. We may call them the higher love and the lower love. The higher love is called premā-bhakti (devotion), and the lower love is called sneha (affection). In both premā and sneha, the emotion of love is the same. Only the love when directed to a ‘higher’ object-of-love is called premā; when it is directed toward a ‘lower’ object-of-love, it is called sneha. Thus, we have premā-bhakti toward parents, teacher, country, knowledge, and so on, while we have sneha for our friends, brothers, sisters, dogs, cows, flowers, toys, books, and so on. Sneha is always love for mutual benefit. There is in it a search for desire-satisfaction. There is a togetherness in sneha; but, for it to continue, each will have to enrich the life of the other. A typical example is the love between the mother and her child-in-the-womb (fetus). The mother’s life is, no doubt, enriched by the child within, and the fetus depends entirely upon the mother for its continued healthy existence. They are separate, but they live together. In fact, in their togetherness alone, there is existence for each. The child cannot live and grow up without the mother, and the mother is not a mother without the child. Each completes the other. When we come out of the womb, we also enter into such a relationship of mutual dependence with the world around us. In our sneha with others, each of us completes ourselves. In sneha relationships, there is an abject, Page 40
Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 hapless, and total dependence upon those whom we love. Sneha love is not sufficient to divert us away from our inner sorrows, on to the amphitheater of joy and satisfaction. The UpaniŞads, the Gītā, and the Purāṇas not only indicate — in their silent suggestions and in their thundering declarations — the powerful fact that the higher-love (premā-bhakti) can free us from all our sense of separateness and the consequent fears and sorrows of our inner experience of bleak loneliness. What then is this higher-love called ‘premā-bhakti’? While the emotion is the same in both the higher and the lower kinds of love, when we direct our love toward a higher, more inspiring ideal, our minds expand, our faculties broaden, our vision deepens, and our efficiencies multiply. Then love is premā. When this premā is directed toward the Lord, the divine Essence in man, it is called bhakti (devotion). The premā type of love has been glorified in all theistic religions and great philosophies of the world. Here we give love to the Lord and expect nothing in return. A true premī wants nothing back from Him. The very fulfillment of devotion is in the joy of devotion experienced by the devotee. Premā-bhakti asks for nothing: throats choked with emotion, hearts full of love, tears of joy trickling down their faces, devotees dance in their ecstasy of love for their Lord. Since the whole universe is to them nothing but the Lord’s own Form-divine, to the true premā-bhakta everything in the Universe is sacred, divine, an object of their deep love and their complete reverence. In premā, the lover is active and his love is dynamic. He is not waiting to be loved by others. He is not a beggar at Love’s Temple-gate. Dynamic love floods forth from his heart toward all; and in its irresistible all-smashing onward dash, it smothers any walls around others, storms into their hearts, and therein seeks and discovers a blissful fusion of oneness. In this dynamic, almost aggressive love fusion, the lover ennobles the beloved, and yet retains his own individuality intact. In such a blessed love-relationship the two become one — and still neither dominates the other, nor is anyone rendered a victim of the other. ‘Love is active,’ according to Hinduism. Be careful, here. The term ‘active’ is more significant than what we usually take the word to mean. It is a conscious, willful ‘dashing on’ to love, rather than an unconscious accidental ‘falling into’ love. It is an aggressively, consistent passion to give, rather than a merely persistent hope to receive. True loving is not a passive ‘taking,’ but a dynamic ‘giving’. This idea of ‘giving’ is often dreaded by all. They misunderstand it as a ‘giving up’ of something, a painful renouncing, a state of being deprived of everything pleasant and sweet. But in our culture it is glorified as relinquishment (tyāga). Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad- gītā defines tyāga as the ‘giving up of all anxiety to enjoy the fruit-of-actions’. To ‘give’ love is, therefore, to love everyone without expecting any results — any gains, any profits — but instead demanding of life your privilege to give love to all. Love, when it is true and full and unconditional and joyful, is its own reward. Love is a fulfillment in itself. Very few realize this; none dares to live it in life. Only those, the special few, who have matured in their inward vision, and so evolved slightly in their spiritual growth, can genuinely feel this way and readily discover the heroism to love, to ‘give’ love to all creatures. All are but Nārāyaṇa-in-manifestation. What else, then, can we give to the world but love? The sun gives and demands nothing; the earth, the moon, the rains, the spring, the flowers, the rivers, everywhere in nature, among animals and plants everywhere, the Universal rhythm is to give lovingly and not to demand love from others. To give love is true freedom: to demand love is pure slavery. Page 41
Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! It is the privilege of man to love. It is the dignity of a devotee to love all as His creatures. It is the beauty of life that we have this faculty in us to love. Only we have to cultivate and enrich it in our heart. Develop this capacity to love and learn to flood life with your love by giving love, asking for nothing in return, expecting nothing, wanting nothing. Serve all. Service of others is the expression of love. Service is the outer expression of the love in your inner heart. We learn to love all people and animals and plants; for, all are the Lord Himself. The Lord Himself serves us all every moment, even when we don’t love Him in return! Let us be God-like in our love for others, always, and in all ways. The quality of thought gushing in our mind will depend upon the type of objects that initiate or sustain the nature of thoughts within. Company of good books, noble men, dynamic aspiration, inspiring ideals should necessarily change the color of the thought-pattern entertained by the Sadhak in his bosom. In short, by surrendering himself to the Lord of his heart, by unbroken remembrance of Him and His absolute virtues, supreme love, divine sense of justice, endless goodness, etc., the “quality of thought” in the devotee by association becomes improved. In a word, devotion to the Lord, Bhakti, is the means by which the quality of thoughts gets improved. A river that is flooded and flowing brimful at terrific velocity is not a phenomenon that can easily be controlled, directed or ordered. In front of the irresistible flood it will sweep down all the human efforts to arrest it. For doing any work, in trimming or taming the river, we will have to wait until the flood subsides. Similarly, the human mind will sweep down with its own flooded might all the individual’s insignificant attempts at controlling or modifying it. The mind that is quietened alone is available for remolding. Ordinarily, in almost all of us, the mind is in a constant state of dangerous floods. Thoughts gurgle down, thundering and roaring in their sweep into the world of objects, feelings and ideas. This state of flood is contributed by three main streams which are the main sources of the river of thoughts. They are: (a) shackling memories of the past (b) benumbing fears of the future and (c) the freezing anxieties with the present changes taking place around. The past, the future and the present are the eternal peaks from which gurgle forth regrets, fears and anxieties which cause the flood in the mind. To control the three sources will be the secret process by which the dimension, velocity, force and the sweep of the flood in the mind are controlled. Selfless dedicated activities undertaken as an offering at the altar of our ideals, in a spirit of surrender to the Lord of our heart, is the only available method by which we can save our mind from these disastrous floods. When there is an ideal then at its altar, we can surrender all our regrets of the past, all our fears of the future and our anxieties in the present, and when we work in the world, in a spirit of “dedication and surrender to Narayana”, the mind becomes peaceful and serene. And when this has become the habit of a Karma Yogin the personality of the selfless worker becomes tamed enough for remolding. Thus, if the “quality of thoughts” is changed by following the path of Devotion (Bhakti) and the “quantity of thoughts” is controlled by pursuing the Path of Dedicated Action (Karma Yoga), then the “direction of thoughts” is changed by the pursuit of Knowledge (Gyana Yoga). Page 42
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Chinmaya Annual Fundraising Event, 2020 The Game of Life by Swami Tejomayananda Life is a precious gift — so how can we best appreciate it, enjoy it, and use it wisely? The truth is, our life is what we make it. When we are sick, it is obvious that we have to take medicine in order to get well. No one else can take it for us. Similarly, amid changing circumstances, each has to live their own life. Others may provide help or teach us, but whether we learn or gain is entirely up to us. Once this is understood, whether our life is cheerful and happy or miserable, is in our own hands. Therefore, we have some intelligent choices to make in life. One interesting and very helpful way to look at life, is to consider it as a game — a game to be played well and enjoyed, a game to be won. We enjoy getting actively involved and engaged with the highs and lows of victory or loss — even as spectators. When a player masters the techniques of any game, they gain a great sense of accomplishment. They can enjoy the competition and revel in the rough and tumble of play while reaching out to win. If we choose to look at life as a game, then how might we play this ‘game of life’ to win happiness? Life Is Like a Game First, what is life? On analysis, life is a series of constantly changing experiences between us and the world around us. Sometimes it is a tussle and sometimes it is easy. This leads us to the next question: What is the goal of life? Being happy is universally regarded as ‘winning’ in life. Though the sources and causes of happiness are different according to our individual circumstances and tendencies, the end goal — happiness — is the same. In any game, there are winners and losers. Some players become champions and win again and again. We sometimes say they are “at the top of their game”. To be sure, they did not get there overnight. Then, what is the secret of their success? Apart from God-given gifts, they all have some qualities in common: they are well versed in the rules and techniques of their game; they demonstrate willingness to learn and are tuned up to receive the guidance of their Page 47
Celebrate life – Our Greatest Gift! coaches and teammates; they are respectful of other players; they consistently work hard to improve their game; and they develop independence to make wise decisions at any point in the game. In spite of being a champion, no sportsman has ever won every game. Sometimes, just as in a game, the circumstances of our lives are against us ‘winning’. We may lose our health or our wealth, or the ‘field’ (outer circumstances) may not be conducive. For some of these ever-changing circumstances, we have control over them, and some we do not. Developing the qualities of a ‘skillful player’ strengthens us for steadiness and consistency as life’s scenarios play out. The Game of Cricket The game of cricket provides a wonderful example of how we might play the game of life to ‘win’. The cricket field is huge, with an area called the center pitch and three stumps at each end of that pitch. A single batsman must face the bowler across that pitch, and the fielders try to get the batsman out. The bowler bowls the ball using different techniques, and that forces constant changes in fielding. In the stadium, there might be thousands of spectators, some who cheer and others who are hostile. Under these dynamic and constantly changing circumstances, how can the batsman be successful? First, the batsman must be fearless in the face of the bowler and the fielders, and he must know how to face all types of bowling. He must be alert and maintain his emotional balance. He must learn how to face courageously a hostile crowd and not be overpowered by the tactics of the other team. His behavior must be perfect, because spectators are watching, not just from the stands but also on television. One act of misbehavior can cause dishonor to himself, his team, and even the entire nation. Similarly, in life, whether our ‘field’ is limited to home and office or beyond, there are those who support and those who oppose us. Different kinds of problems are hurled at us, and we aren’t always ready for the full range of possible challenges. The difficulty is that we try to face the whole world of challenges with a ‘little bat’ — like a university degree, a trade, or a skill of some kind. What we need is the full-sized bat of discrimination and right thinking. We must acquire that Knowledge by which we can understand, deal with, and make the best of all kinds of situations. In life, our three stumps are the body, mind, and intellect; they all must be protected and kept strong and ‘standing’. We should never succumb to anxiety or despair even if our game is short. Determine to do better in the next innings. Also, when playing the game, situations arise whereby both teams have a conflict and have to surrender to the umpire for a decision. Both must have sufficient faith to accept the umpire’s decision. In life, the supreme Umpire is God. Swami Ram Tirtha said: “In life, we get what we deserve, not what we desire.” The faith that whatever happens is the right thing, is the attitude from which we can both learn and gain. Have faith that the whole of nature is governed by the Lord. We must do our best and then accept joyfully whatever comes. Thus, play this game of life with a sportsman’s spirit so that the outcome, whatever it be, is a success. Play in such a way that you enjoy life and that others are inspired by you. The result is joy… and joy alone. The God-Man functions as a true ‘sportsman’ in his playfield, where the very enjoyment is in the sport and not in the score. —Swami Chinmayananda Page 48
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