Regular Schedule(Sunday Morning): Chinmaya Mission follows the Vedic teacher student tradition (-shishya parampara) and makes available the ageless Chinmaya Mission wisdom of Advaita , the knowledge of universal • 9:30 am – 11:00 am - BalaVihar(& oneness, thus providing the tools o realize the wisdom in one’s Northwest Indiana Chanting)classes (for Children); Vedanta study groups (for Adults); Bhagavad Gita discourse led life Omkara by a spiritual guide(for Adults) • 11:00 am – 11:30 am - Concluding Session, A saint of the highest order, Swami Tapovanam A School of Vedantic studies Class Presentations, Aarti was a consummate Vedantin, strict teacher, a compassionate mentor, and, a poet. Swami • 11:30 am – 12:00 noon - Bhumika lunch Chinmayananda said of his Guru, “He was a God Program(free for all registered members) without temple, a veda without language

SHISHU VIHAR : Now being offered for Infants & Toddlers up to 4 years of age. Sundays 10-11am. With a sharp wit, keen understanding of human nature, eloquent language, inexhaustible patience and love, Puja Gurudev Swami Optional Activities(starting at noon) Chinmayananda sought to uplift humanity • Language classes(Hindi, Sanskrit, Telugu, Gujarati, beyond selfish and sectarian attitudes Tamil) – depending on interest & enrollment • Chinmaya Swaranjali Bhajans & Sthuthi Vandana Stothra Classes Pujya Swami , the former head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide – fondly Devi group: Mondays from 11:00am - 12:00pm. addressed as Pujya Guruji – served the cause of Swamiji's discourse at Sudama Kutiya @ 8705, devotion. This is abundantly evident in his talks, Merrillville Rd., Merrillville IN 46410 his singing, and his demeanour.

Bhajan Sandhya: First Saturday of the month Presently headed by Swami Swaroopananda, @ 5:30 pm presided over by Pujya Swami the Mission is administered by Central Sharanananda Chinmaya Mission Trust in , . Our center is also available for Satsangas. Please Under his guidance, the Mission has continued contact us for availability. to mushroom across the globe and stands today with over 300 centers worldwide Benefits for our children in participation of the Bala Vihar activity at Chinmaya Mission:

• Kids attend regular school to attain secular knowledge and acquire professional qualifications towards livelihood. • Kids aged 4 – 15 who learn virtues and spiritual values by regular participation within spiritual organization like Chinmaya Mission secure a solid character-foundation that formulates a wholesome, healthy personality.

When inquired about the right age to start Bala Vihar participation, Pujya Gurudev - Swami Chinmayananda said, “Catch them young”. Young minds are like sponges that are eager to absorb the Chinmaya Mission Northwest Indiana values taught to them. Omkara At Chinmaya Mission, we enroll kids from Pre-K up Board of Directors: to the 12th grade. Thereafter, Chinmaya Mission caters to youth – Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) President: Padmini Makam 8705 Merrillville Rd., program, whereby participants (aged 16 -35) attend Vice President: Vijaikumar Dharla fun and adventures-filled spiritual camps. CHYKs Secretary: Arun Balakrishnan Merrillville, IN 46410-7045 may attend the adult study sessions towards Treasurer: Suchita Shah enhancement of deeper practically applicable Directors: SubbaRao Majety spiritual knowledge and simultaneously serve Chandra Singh Bhaskar Kodukula towards the congregational activities. Priya Chockalingam

To give maximum happiness to HARI OM Our Spiritual Guides at About Chinmaya Mission Chinmaya Mission was established in India in 1953 by Chinmaya Omkara devotees of the world-renowned Vedanta teacher, His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda, fondly as Gurudev.

Administered by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust in Mumbai, India, the Mission is now headed by His Holiness Swami Swaroopananda, fondly addressed as Guruji. Chinmaya Omkara was established in 2002 is a not for profit organization. It makes available the ageless wisdom of , the knowledge of universal oneness, providing the tools to realize the Our BalaVihar Program wisdom in one’s life. The greatest blessing from Pujya Gurudev , The learning occurs with structured syllabus for Swami Chinmayanandaji to the children is the children aged 4 – 16, youth aged 17-35, and for adults. Families meet on every Sunday at IACC, Bala Vihar Movement. The weekly Bala Vihar Swami Sharananandaji Merrillville. activity orients children with India’s spiritual and Pujya Swami Sharanananda, our Acharya (teacher) cultural heritage. Pujya Gurudev’s rationale for Chinmaya Mission Bala Vihar is the resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission Chicago Indian culture is admired the world-wide for its the Bala Vihar activity is summarized as follows: since March 1993. He is also the visiting Acharya of splendor and depth. There is either a scientific or a spiritual rationale for the Indian traditions. Philosophy CM NW Indiana. Swamiji Conducts yogasanas & is the theoretical aspect of religion, whereas rituals • To train the children and inculcate within other scriptural classes during Chinmaya Mission are the practical aspect. Selfless service, japa, puja, them reverence for our ancient culture, and family camps all over North America. He places great sandhya-vandanam and so on, enable an individual inspire them to live up to it, with correct importance on value based living. Swamiji conducts to develop an integrated personality. But one needs Bhagawad Gita & Vedanta discourses for adults, to perform these with the proper understanding and understanding. every month at our Mission. faith to bring about the desired effect. • To create self-confidence, to serve others and work cheerfully. Bala Vihar is a weekly gathering of children, between the ages of five to fifteen years that takes place in • To generate a true affection in all contacts, Chinmaya Mission Centers or in private homes, under inculcate personal discipline and a true spirit the supervision of trained teachers. The aim of Bala of leadership. Vihar is to help children bloom, grow, and inculcate values through fun-filled activities. Bala Vihar • To mold their capacity to express and to enhances the overall development of the personality assert their individuality. of a child at all levels — physical, emotional, • To nurture their latent faculties, detect and intellectual and spiritual. tackle defects; cultivate and improve their

Mission Statement creative abilities. “To help children learn values with fun, to delight like • To help children to develop a healthy Respected Nirmita Dholakia the moon and shine like the sun” resistance against temptations in the A senior co-founding member and Balvihar teacher of ambience in which they grow. CM Badri since 1979, Nirmitaji has also been guiding Chinmaya Mission Vedanta Classes • To provide a foundation to grow with noble our community activities for past 25 years. After The purpose of Chinmaya Mission Vedanta recently completing the 2 year Vedanta Course in classes ideals, healthy emotions and physical Regular studies and participation in Vedanta study discipline. Trinidad under Pujya Swami Prakashanandaji, we are sessions and discourse based on scriptural texts, fortunate that she has graciously accepted our including Bhagavad Gita inspires and empowers one invitation to serve and guide us all at CM Omkara. to face life’s challenges with a balanced, calm and joyous attitude. ------C O N T A C T U S ------

In addition, Chinmaya Mission facilitates scriptural [email protected] studies through website forum and correspondence e- Padmini Makam @ (219)808-3431 courses. Suchita Shah @ (219)614-1106 •