Chinmaya Mission Chicago hosts Annual Fundraising Banquet
Chicago IL: Chinmaya Mission Chicago Badri and Yamunotri Centers together held its annual fundraising gala on Sunday, November 4th, 2012 at the renowned Waterford Banquet and Conference Center, located at 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, Illinois. The Mission holds their annual gala to help its growth and continue serving the Chicago area Indian community. Over 700 individuals attended this heartwarming event, which had speeches by Swami Sharananandaji and Swami Ishwaranand of Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles. More than $200,000 was raised in donations.
There were also remarkable cultural performances presented by students of Bala Vihar. The theme of this year’s banquet was “Gratitude is the Attitude’.
Distinguished dignitaries in attendance were Prof. and Mrs. Bala Bala Chandran, Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, Amrit Mittal, Nand Kumar and Dr. Lata, Dr. Sudarshan Sharma and Nituji, Mr. Rishikant Singh, Gen Mgr of Air India, Chicago, Mr. & Mrs. Sanjay Sharma, Finance Mgr. of Air India, Chicago, Dr. Bharat Barai, and other prominent Indian community members.
The evening commenced with a traditional PurnaKumbha, Invocation, Gurustotram Chanting, welcome for the Acharyas, Honorable Head Table Guests, accompanied by Vedic Chanting that was rendered by Sevikas of the mission. The Acharyas then proceeded to light the lamp and paid their respects to the photo of Swami Chinmayananda, by placing flowers at his lotus feet. Ms. Rajul Bhalala served as the Master of ceremony and she warmly welcomed everyone present. Theme of the day was ‘Gratitude is the Attitude’.
The night began with an inaugural welcome address by Swami Sharananandaji of Chicago who stressed the importance “giving” and serving the humanity.
On this auspicious occasion, Swami Chinmayanandaji and Pujya Guruji H.H. Swami Tejomayananda, Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, were remembered with glory that prevails in development of this organization.
Swami Sharananandaji on this occasion recalled the contributions made by above and also stressed the need of collecting funds for the activities that are being carried out for the benefit of humanity and families.
Swami Sharananandaji then introduced Swami Ishwaranandaji, Resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission, Los Angeles, CA.
In his address, Swamiji stressed the importance of gratitude in our lives. Swamiji gave the example of diversity found in every state of India, where language, culture and traditions vary. “When differences are dropped, oneness is developed,” he said. According to him, when we recognize divinity in ourselves, we are unified in a homogenous state and harmony is created in life. He stressed the benefits of Bala Vihar classes, which are conducted by the mission to educate and maintain family values for the younger generations. He told stories about an elderly who used to donate a fruit every day and resultant performances in subsequent birth cycle and also a story of a boy who changed a message for collecting funds changing a message in perception that changed attitude in cycle of getting donations, stressing the need to donate generously without being miserly. He applauded the dedicated volunteers who are doing yeomen service by contributing their personal time to teach the younger generation of kids the values of life. His was an inspirational speech to instigate Gratitude. He also indicated how a phrase/attitude changes the mind provided we see the world with a positive and grateful attitude.
In his annual report, Chinmaya Mission Chicago, President, Acharya Shanker Pillai added that Chinmaya Mission of Chicago is looking into expanding their services for the senior population of Chicago. They are initiating a plan to develop a senior citizens center in the recently acquired adjacent property in Willowbrook, IL. Mission will continue into the next phase of service. In addition, the natural disaster relief and blood drives is a focal point in the upcoming months.
Following this, Mr. Ashok Bhatia, Executive board member of Yamunotri center gave a short presentation on CORD, the mission’s unique Seva project in India which provides empowerment to women, operates Balwadis for young children, conducts Bala Vihar programs, fights social injustice, runs support groups for young men, and health care services for the needy in several states of India. CORD (Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development) is a secular, non-profit project that aims to build organizational and operational capacity of village groups to run their own activities in an integrated, participatory and sustainable manner while augmenting their income and enabling natural resource management by the villagers. Currently this project is operating in Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
Cultural presentations in the form of dance and Bhajans were interspersed throughout the evening.
Bhajan by Yamunotri children- This is a beautiful song through which we pray to the Lord for our Hearts to be filled with Love for all. Only the sincere expression of Love in every Human Heart has the potential to Light up a world otherwise filled with the Darkness of ill will and animosity.
Badri Chinmaya Swaranjali We are grateful to our Gurus, who have shown us the path of the wise that leads to eternal happiness. Surrendering to the Guru is the easiest path for liberation. Now, the children of Badri’s Chinmaya Swaranjali present 3 bhajans dedicated to our Guru parampara.
The first song sung by the senior group “Guru hamare man mandir me” reminds us that Guru resides within our hearts – he is our life, our loving friend, our riches, our mind and body.
The second Marathi Bhajan by our younger group “Guru dhayi” urges us to meditate on the Guru. Worshipping Him is the only sadhana we need to do and service unto Him is the entire austerity required of us. The poet claims that Guru is verily Para Brahman.
With the final bhajan “O Chinmaya”, we offer gratitude to our beloved Gurudev. With the knowledge he brought lovingly to all of us, we have been truly blessed.
Yamunotri group Dance :
Part 1: Before beginning of the first dance.
The theme of today’s presentation is “Gratitude is the Attitude”. We will be presenting the deeper meaning of this theme through the medium of Dance. The dances are an expression of our Gratitude to the three forms of the Supreme Lord: The Sun-God, The Divine Mother & The Guru
Badri group Dance Item
“Let us now show our Heartfelt Gratitude to that All-Pervading Power – Shri Krishnaya Vayam Numah”
A dance by Badri students in bharatnatyam style on the song rendered by M.S.Subbalakshmi composed by Kadayanallur Venkataraman. I meditate upon the baby Gopala. My mind is filled with thoughts of his feet always. I meditate on Him who is without comparison, who is Hari, who is the Param Purusha.
What is Chinmaya Mission
Under the guidance of His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda, devotees formed the nucleus of a spiritual renaissance movement that now encompasses a wide range of spiritual, educational, and charitable activities, ennobling the lives of thousands in India and worldwide. Presently headed by His Holiness Swami Tejomayananda, the Mission is administered by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT) in Mumbai, India. Under Swami Tejomayananda’s guidance, the Mission has continued mushrooming across the universe and stands today with over 350 centers worldwide.
Local Chinmaya Mission activities
The Mission provides 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 and Vedic Chanting, Music and Fine Arts Classes, Yoga Classes, Interfaith Dialogue and Prayers, Community Health Fairs and Seminars, Blood Drives, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Recitation, and Vedanta in Practice (Community Service Programs).
Swami Sharanananda
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. 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. Swamiji has been the resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission Chicago since March of 1993. Because of Swamiji’s dedication to Pujya Gurudev and his selfless service to 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 and NW Indiana center in Munster, 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, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan to conduct camps for children and discourses for adults. Swamiji also conducts yogasana and other scriptural classes during Chinmaya Mission family camps held throughout America and Canada. 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
Swami Ishwarananda
Swami Ishwarananda was part of Chinmaya Mission Bangalore where he served as the secretary. Having been inspired by Param Pujya Swami Chinmayananda, and with the guidance of Swami Brahmananda, he left his field of software consultancy and joined Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai in 1991. Upon completing his brahmachari training in 1993, as Brahmachari Someshwar Chaitanya, he served Chinmaya Mission Centers in Bangalore and Calcutta and eventually as resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles. In March of 2000, he was given sanyas deeksha by Pujya Swami Tejomayananda, and was named Swami Ishwarananda Saraswati. Swami Ishwarananda served the Mission in Los Angeles until 2001. Swamiji was then made the Acharya in charge of Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai for the 12th brahmachari batch from 2002 through 2004. Swamiji is a dynamic speaker and has given talks on Vedanta, stress management, management techniques and other such related fields.The topics include- Medication and Meditation; Spirituality at Workplace; Stress Management; Game of Life; Human Approach to Management; Profession with Principle; Surfing Above Sorrows; Value-based Management; Mindfulness; Excellence in Career; Vedanta in Daily Life; Spiritual Approach to Life; Mind Management; Vedanta for Householders; Practical Spirituality; Destiny versus Freewill; Conscious Self-Management
Mission Statement
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 society.
Mission Motto
To give maximum happiness to the maximum number for the maximum time is our religion.
Weekly Activates
Chinmaya Mission is dedicated to educating our children, adults and families as a whole, fostering self-development through right understanding of our religious principles and practice of value-based living. Mission continues to offer weekly classes (SATURDAYS AT YAMUNOTRI AND SUNDAYS AT BADRI), lectures and discourses, including periodic camps and retreats to support and strengthen our families. With 2 vibrant centers, Badri (in Willow brook, IL) and Yamunotri (in Grayslake, IL) over a1000 children and hundreds of families are involved in the Mission classes held each week. You can get details about all the Mission activities by visiting www.chinmaya-chicago.org or contacting Mrs. Rajul Bhalala at 847-302-2383 (or) Acharya Shanker Pillai at 630-886-6442. Web site: www.chinmaya-chicago.org, or www.chinmaya-yamunotri.org
Upcoming events: S.A.T./ A.C.T. coaching classes January-May 2013
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