Chinmaya Mission

Washington Regional Center

We Offer Vedanta-Based Programs

For Children, Youth and Adults
To Enable Spiritual Growth
and Personal Development
www.ChinmayaDC.org

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN: PRE-K TO 12

To help children learn values

with fun, to delight like the
moon and shine like the sun
Swami Tejomayananda

Programs for children offer a wellstructured, valuebased education that seeks to provide a
proper understanding of the Hindu religion, traditions and culture. Classes are conducted by
trained volunteer teachers in an engaging and ageappropriate manner. Participation in these
programs inspires children to imbibe selfconfidence, healthy emotions and discipline, and to
grow up to be responsible citizens of tomorrow.

Bala Vihar*
The Bala Vihar (BV) program offers weekly classes
to provide children a spiritual and cultural orientation
in their formative school years (Pre K to 12). The
classes are organized by age groups, start and
end with Sanskrit prayers, and include chanting,
bhajans, stories of devotion and morals, interactive
discussions, arts and crafts and creative games. They
are of approximately 90 minutes duration including the
common Assembly time, are held during the regular
school year and are based on specially designed
curriculum.

Summer Camp
Summer Camps are day camps, generally 4 weeks long.
They are held in both Maryland and Virginia, and offer 612
year old children a fantastic funfilled learning experience
during the summer holidays. The camps are led by a strong
and dedicated team of Acharyas, teachers and volunteers
(sevaks). Activities include:
Chanting Shlokas and Bhajans
Dancing
Inspiring Stories
Indoor Games

Outdoor Sports
Swimming
Field Trips
Skits/Drama

Language and Shloka*

For children attending weekly Bala Vihar classes, Language
and Shloka classes are offered, on an optional basis, for
enrichment.
Language: Classes currently offered include Hindi, Tamil,
Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi and Sanskrit. Emphasis is on
spoken language to enable the children to better communicate
and build relationships with members of their extended family.
Language classes offered may vary based on demand at a
local chapter and the availability of volunteer teachers.
Shloka: In the Shloka class, which is very popular, children
are taught prayerful verses to inspire in them devotion to
the Supreme. Shloka class children are often invited to
recite verses at various CMWRC functions and noteworthy
community events.

Gt Chanting
CMWRC has been conducting a very successful annual Gt
Chanting Competition for the past several years for children.
The program is open to the public, and now also open to adults
and youth. The vision behind the Gt Chanting program is
simple. Chanting introduces one to the verses of the sacred
Bhagavad Gt. This leads one to study the scriptural text,
resulting in the gain of the subtle and invaluable knowledge
revealed therein. This sacred knowledge translated into
action results in inner transformation and selfunfoldment,
which is the goal of spiritual pursuits.

* Core Weekly Programs for Family

For More Information or Registration, Please Visit www.ChinmayaDC.org

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH

For adults, Chinmaya Mission offers Vedantic education, based on the Bhagavad Gt and
other scriptural texts. Conventional education teaches one how to make a living. Vedantic
knowledge teaches one how to live in happiness. During our daytoday life struggles, we often
forget that the wellspring of all joy is within us. This knowledge, and the steps to realize and
experience it, is the science of Vedanta. The abiding knowledge of Vedanta rests in the vision
of the One Reality, a vision that transcends race, class, creed, gender and nationality. The
teachings of Vedanta are profound, yet simple; completely personal, yet universal; and above
all, very relevant in todays world. The learning and application of Vedanta enables not only
spiritual development, but personal and professional growth as well.

Bhagavad Gt Classes*
On a weekly basis, while children are attending Bala Vihar
classes, Chinmaya Mission trained Acharyas conduct
pravachans (lectures) on the Bhagavad Gt for adults. The
Acharyas cover the 18 chapters of this ageless scriptural
text comprehensively, discussing in detail two to three
verses in each class. The purpose is to inspire the novice
spiritual aspirant to sincerely and diligently pursue Vedantic
studies and contemplation.

Study Groups and Vedanta Classes

In addition to the weekly Bhagavad Gt classes, Chinmaya
Mission offers a range of options for spiritual aspirants
seeking to pursue additional Vedantic studies.
Study Groups - Inspired by the vision of Vedanta, several
small groups of seekers meet locally, on a weekly or
biweekly basis, to study selected Vedanta texts. The
participants of each study group analyze their selected text
in detail through interactive discussions, deepening their
understanding. They seek guidance from an Acharya as
needed.
Vedanta Classes Aspirants who prefer a pravachan
(lecture) format for study, may join one of several Vedanta
classes that are conducted by Acharyas or other qualified
teachers.
Special classes dedicated to women (Devi) and retired
seekers (Vaanaprastha) are also available.
E-study
Vedanta classes are offered by the Chinmaya International
Foundation.

Jnana Yajnas and Spiritual Camps

In a traditional Vedic yajna, the ritual calls for the offering
of oblations into a trough of Fire along with the chanting
of Sanskrit mantras. The term jnana yajna derives from
this picture of a ritual; in a jnana yajna, oblations of
ignorance are made into the fire of knowledge. Scriptural
study and regular contemplation on the import of the
teachings heard, kindles the fire of knowledge in a sincere
spiritual seeker. On a periodic basis, CMWRC organizes
jnana yajnas (series of talks) on various spiritual texts
and subjects. These jnana yajnas are conducted either
by Acharyas associated with CMWRC or other Chinmaya
Mission centers.
Chinmaya Mission centers around the world also hold
spiritual camps offering intensive residential courses for
adults, children or the whole family.

Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK)

CHYK is the global youth wing of Chinmaya Mission,
where youth learn to discover their true potential and
achieve success. CHYK provides college students and
young professionals a spiritual forum for the discussion,
exploration, and practice of Vedanta.
The CHYK DC chapter has an active calendar of events
including socials, discussion groups, community service
(seva) and retreats. A number of CHYKs also teach at
the local Bala Vihar. A major event for DC CHYKs is the
annual CHYK Retreat, which is attended by CHYKs from
all over the United Stated and Canada and provides a great
opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones. For
more information, please visit www.chyk.chinmayadc.org.

CHYK Mission Statement

To empower youth with the
vision, values, and dynamism
for success in all fields.
* Core Weekly Programs for Family

For More Information or Registration, Please Visit www.ChinmayaDC.org

CMWRC Organization
Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Center (CMWRC) was established in the late 1980s
to serve communities in the Washington DC Metropolitan area, Maryland and Virginia. It is an
affiliated center under Chinmaya Mission West (CMW) and Central Chinmaya Mission Trust
(CCMTIndia). CMWRC is registered as a nonprofit organization and is overseen by a Board
of Trustees. The daytoday operations are run by dedicated volunteers and managed by an
Executive Committee. Currently, CMWRC chapters operate in Silver SpringMD (Chinmayam),
Northern Virginia (Chinmaya Somnath based at HerndonVA in 2012 and at Chantilly-VA from
early 2013 onward), FrederickMD, SalisburyMD and RichmondVA.
Swami Dheerananda He is a devoted disciple of Pujya Gurudev Swami
Chinmayananda, who in wit and wisdom is evidently cast in the mold of His spiritual
Master. Swami Dheerananda was literally born in the lap of Chinmaya Culture. He
hails from Hyderabad, A.P., India. Swami Dheerananda is the Resident Acharya at
Chinmayam and President of CMWRC. His pravachans (spiritual talks) are clear,
thought provoking and full of wit. Children adore Swamiji and are always eager to
attend his programs, including the very popular summer camp.
Acharya Anant Sarma Anantji completed the Vedanta course at Sandeepany
Sadhanalaya, Mumbai in 2007. He is the Resident Acharya for Chinmaya
Somnath. Anantji holds an undergraduate engineering degree from IIT, Madras
and graduate degrees in Engineering and Business Administration from Texas
and has extensive experience in teaching and in financial administration for
notforprofit organizations.

Acharya Dr. Pramila Poudel - Pramilaji and her husband Dr. Bishnu Poudel
have been active members of the Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Center
for well over twenty years. During and after her successful career as a research
economist with the Federal Government, Pramilaji assiduously pursued the
spiritual path shown to her by Swami Chinmayananda, and undertook in-depth
study and teaching of Vedanta. She completed the Vedanta course at Sandeepany
Sadhanalaya, Mumbai in 2007, and currently teaches at Chinmaya Somnath.
Acharya Vilasini She began Vedanta studies under Swami Chinmayananda in
1975 while in India studying comparative philosophy. She graduated magna cum
laude from Tufts University with a B.S. in philosophy, and in 1978 graduated from
the Sandeepany Sadhanalaya course in Vedanta. Acharya Vilasiniji serves as
Regional Director of Bala Vihar and a Trustee for CMWRC, as well as a member
of the CMWRC Executive Committee. She also serves on the Chinmaya Mission
West board.
Acharya Dr. Sadananda A retired scientist by profession (US Naval Research
Lab), Sadaji is a disciple of Swami Chinmayananda, and one of the founding
members of CMWRC. He was a former Trustee of CMWRC, and initiated and
guided several major activities, including Spiritual Camps with Pujya Gurudev and
Swami Tejomayananda. Sadaji was inducted into the Chinmaya Mission Acharya
Fellowship by Swami Tejomayananda at the 16th Mahasamadhi Family Camp in
Toronto (JulAug 2009).

Chinmayam, Silver Spring

Chinmaya Somnath, Chantilly

CMWRC Chapters
Chinmayam

Chinmaya Somnath

Silver Spring, MD

Chantilly, VA (2013 onward)

Herndon, VA (2012 only)

Chinmaya Mission Chapter

Frederick, MD
Chinmaya Mission Chapter

Chinmaya Mission Chapter

Salisbury, MD

Richmond, VA

For More Information or Registration, Please Visit www.ChinmayaDC.org

His Spirit lives on... in the form of a tiny Bala Vihar center in an oasis in the middle of an African desert.
...in the heart of a young navy officer who is doing his little bit to pass on his knowledge to fellow sailors
in his small vessel that braves many an ocean.
...in the brilliant mind of a scientist in a top research organization who teaches his fellow researchers
the synthesis between science and religion as Swamiji taught it.
...in the lonely heart of an aged destitute who has gained new meaning in her last days in a
Chinmaya Vridha Samsthan.
...on the lips of his disciples who continue to teach and inspire thousands to live as human beings
with humane behavior and a divine destination.
...in the hands and hearts of thousands who today offer money, service and love to society but would never
have thought of looking beyond themselves if not for the ennobling touch of Swamijis life and work.

Ageless Guru The Inspirational Life of Swami Chinmaynanda

by Radhika Krishnakumar

CHINMAYA MISSION AND OUR GURUS

Our Mission

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
In 1953, under the guidance of His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda, a world renowned Vedanta
exponent and teacher, 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. Presently headed by His Holiness Swami Tejomayananda, the Mission is
administered by the Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT) in Mumbai, India. Under Swami
Tejomayanandas guidance, the Mission has continued to flourish, and currently has over 300
vibrant centers operating in India and worldwide.
Swami Tapovan Maharaj (1889-1957), Swami Chinmayanandas Guru,
was a saint of the highest order, a consummate Vedantin, strict teacher, a
compassionate mentor, a poet whose every thought throbbed with ecstatic
awareness, and a sage of unsurpassed wisdom and tranquility. Swami
Chinmayananda said of his Guru, He was a God without temple, a Veda
without language.

Swami Chinmayananda (1916-1993), born Balakrishna Menon (Balan),

was a Hindu Indian spiritual leader and teacher, who became one of the
20th centurys most renowned and revered exponents of Vedanta. He
sought and received his Gurus blessings to spread Vedantic knowledge to
the masses. Swami Chinmayananda inspired the formation of Chinmaya
Mission in 1953 to spread the message of Vedanta. He taught the logic of
spirituality, while emphasizing the balance of head and heart. Selfless work,
study, and meditation are the cornerstones of spiritual practice, he said. Not
satisfied with degrees in literature and law or with other worldly aspirations,
he pursued the spiritual path in the Himalayas under the guidance of
Swami Sivananda and Swami Tapovan Maharaj. He is credited with the
renaissance of spiritual and cultural values in India and with awakening the
rest of the world to the ageless wisdom of Vedanta.
Swami Tejomayananda is the present worldwide Head of Chinmaya
Mission. Since 1993, he has continuously and dynamically pursued his
Gurus grand vision. Swami Tejomayananda is a living portrait of simplicity
with depth, humility with courage, and wisdom with devotion. Always jovial,
smiling and welcoming, he is readily accessible and approachable to all
who seek the knowledge of Vedanta from him.