Mar 23, 2015

Navraatri Greetings!

Chinmaya Mission New York

Dear CMNY family,

Hari Om!

On behalf of the board members of Chinmaya Mission New York, I would like to extend special Navraatri greetings to all!

For these nine nights, millions of Hindus around the world will celebrate Chaitra Navraatri. This auspicious observance occurs mid March to early April and is known as Chaitra or Vasant Navraatri. This celebration lasts for nine (nava-) nights (-Raatri) thus the name Navraatri which begins in the bright half of the month of Chaitra (starting from the day after Amavasya). This period of nine days heralds the onset of spring and also marks the beginning of the new year for the hindu calendar in most parts of India.

The nine-day festival honors the role of three prinicipal female Goddesses in the Hindu pantheon – Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The period of Chaitra Navraatri concludes with Ramanavami (or Lord Rama’s birthday) on the tenth day.

The nine day period is marked as a period of “cleansing” and fasting by all devotees of Devi Durga. All 40 verses of the Durga Chalisa is chanted with great vigor every evening during this period. The festival is marked on the eighth day or ashtami by honoring nine young girls.

The story of Navraatri is a symbolic message that Goodness will always prevail and those who are evil will certainly be destroyed. The story is associated with Durga and Mahisasura, the buffalo headed demon.

One popular legend tells of Mahishasura who was extremely powerful and declared himself to be God. In order to destroy Mahishasura Durga Devi emerged taking the terrible form of Durga.

When the goddess was seen by Mahishasura, he was mesmerized by her beauty. He then fell in love with her and proposed to marry her. Devi Durga agreed to marry him, if he defeated her in the battle. There was a ferocious battle between both of them which continued for nine days. Finally, on the last day, Durga took the form of Chandika and stood over the chest of Mahishasura and smashed him with her foot. She then pierced his neck with her spear and cut off his head off with her sword. It is the day when Vijayadashmi is celebrated.

May the Goddess Durga bless you and guide you and your family to the ultimate goal of God Realization.

With Prem and Om,
Acharya Arun Gossai

Thanks!
CHINMAYA MISSION NEW YORK
webadministrator@chinmayanewyork.org
www.chinmayanewyork.org

Swamiji

Chinmaya Mission New York

Hari Om!

Swami Prakashananda's devotee invites NY members to this Gyaan Yagna. Please share.

Om,
Acharya Arun Gossai

Thanks!
CHINMAYA MISSION NEW YORK
webadministrator@chinmayanewyork.org
www.chinmayanewyork.org

Chinmaya Publications: http://www.chinmayapublication.com/
More Audio collections are being digitized; Full list of new Audio/Mp3 CD (Bhajans and talks)

Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.
- Swami Chinmayananda

Mar 6, 2015

Happy Holi!

Chinmaya Mission New York

Dear CMNY family,

Hari Om!

On behalf of the CMNY board members, I would like to wish all of you a prosperous Holi!

Holi is the festival of colors announcing the commencement of the spring season. This is symbolic of hope and the spring of positive thinking and good actions marking the end of the winter of negativity. This perhaps explains the name of this festival, Vasanta Mahotsav.

In some parts of India, specially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533). However, the literal meaning of the word 'Holi' is 'burning'. There are various legends to explain the meaning of this word, most prominent of all is the legend associated with demon king Hiranyakashyapu

Hiranyakashyapu wanted everybody in his kingdom to worship only him but to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad was an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. Hiaranyakashyap commanded his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a boon whereby she could enter fire without any damage on herself. However, she was not aware that the boon worked only when she enters the fire alone. As a result she paid a price for her sinister desires, while Prahlad was saved by the grace of the god for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore, celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion.

Legend of Lord Krishna is also associated with play with colors as the Lord started the tradition of play with colours by applying colour on his beloved Radha and other gopis. Gradually, the play gained popularity with the people and became a tradition.

May the colors of goodness and peace rain upon us during this season and beyond.

With Prem and Om,

Acharya Arun Gossai

Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.
- Swami Chinmayananda

Mar 3, 2015

ACTIVITY SCHEDULE FOR MARCH, 2015

Chinmaya Mission New York

ACTIVITY SCHEDULE FOR MARCH, 2015

MANHATTAN

A. 2, 23, 30 March
Mondays 7.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Vedanta Study Class on Gita in Manhattan
Conducted by Acharya Arunji
"Gita for Success in NYC”
632 Broadway, 12th floor, New York, NY- 10012
Contact: Ankur Keswani: ankur_gandhi@yahoo.com or Acharya Arunji: arun.gossai@gmail.com

B. 2,9,16,23,30 March
Mondays 7.15 p.m. to 8.45 p.m.
Advanced Vedanta Study Class
Conducted by Shri George Romney
Contact: Sandhya Simhan: (248) 410 - 6289 or
Shri George Romney: (212) 427-2408

C. 3,10,17,24, 31 March
Tuesdays 7.15 p.m. to 8.45 p.m.
Vedanta Study Class on Gita in Manhattan
Conducted by Shri George Romney
"Bhagavad Gita -Chapter "14”
Contact: Sandhya Simhan: (248) 410 - 6289 or
Shri George Romney: (212) 427-2408

D. 7 March
Saturdays 11a.m. to 12.00 p.m.
Chinmaya Bala Vihar in ManhattanAllen Stevenson School
78 St & Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10075
Contact: Aditi Malhotra at agmalhotra@gmail.com or (212)-207-9046

E. 7,14,21,28 March
Saturdays 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.
Vedanta Study Group in Manhattan
Conducted by Shri George Romney
“Kathoupanishad”
7 March: 78 St & Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10075
14,21,28 March: 26 E 91st St, New York, NY 10128
Contact: Shri George Romney: (212) 427-2408
(Contact George Romney to attend - Strictly No Walk-ins)

LONG ISLAND/ QUEENS

A. 1, 8, 15, 22 March
Sundays 10.00 a.m. to 11.50 a.m.
Chinmaya Bala Vihar in Long Island / Queens
Vaishnav Temple of New York
100 Lakeville Rd., New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Contact: Lakshmi Kapadia: (516) 626-7919 or
Runjhun Saklani: runjhun@hotmail.com

B. 1, 8, 15, 22 March
Sundays 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
Chinmaya Bala Vihar in Long Island / Queens
Conducted by Acharya Arunji for Ages: 14-22
“Self Unfoldment”
Vaishnav Temple of New York
100 Lakeville Rd., New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Contact: Lakshmi Kapadia: (516) 626-7919 or
Runjhun Saklani: runjhun@hotmail.com

C. 1, 8, 15, 22 March
Sundays 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
Vedanta Study Class in Long Island / Queens
Text "Geeta Chapter 5"
Vaishnav Temple of New York
100 Lakeville Rd., New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Contact: Dr. Jatin Kapadia: (516) 384-1937

D. 16,30 March
Mondays 6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Vedanta Study Class in Manhasset, Long Island
Text "Bhagavad Gita -Chapter 3"
18, Tiffany Cr., Manhasset, NY 11030
Contact: Dr. Dina Pahlajani: Tel. (516) 993-2089

E. 15,22 March
Vedanta Study Class in Richmond Hill, Queens
Sunday 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.
Conducted by Dr. Jatin Kapadia
Text: "Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 3"
Sanaatan Dharma Mandir of New York
104-22, 114th Street, Richmond Hill, NY 11419
Contact: Dr. Jatin Kapadia: (516) 384-1937 or
Pandit Yoganand: (917) 302-3813 or
Doodnauth: (917) 545-1260

F. 3,19,26 March
Thursday 8.00 pm – 9.30 pm
Vedanta Study Class in Long Island / Queens
Conducted by Acharya Arunji
Text “Mandukya Upanishad”
7 Waverly, Old Westbury, NY 11568
Contact: Dr. Jatin Kapadia: (516) 384-1937

G. Every Thursday
10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
Senior Study Group in Hindi
Text "Bhagvad Geeta Chap 5"
80 -02, Kew Garden, NY 11415
Contact: Ketki Raval: (516) 996-8829

H. 21, 28 March
Saturdays 1.00 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.
CMNY Senior Satsang Group
Text "Bhagavad Gita -Chapter 5"
88-42, 43rd Ave, Elmhurst
Host: Labhu Upadhyaya,
Contact: (718) 507-1943 / (516) 582-5753

I. Gita Chanting Class
Sundays 11.00 a.m. -12.00 p.m.
Conducted by Acharya Arunji
“Gita Chapter 15”
Vaishnav Temple of New York
100 Lakeville Rd., New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Contact: Gayathri Murali - rajanmurali@hotmail.com and
Sneha Pollachi -sneha.pollachi@gmail.com

J. 18 March (New Addition)
Monday 7pm-8.30pm
Conducted by Acharya Arunji
Text “Tulsi Ramayan”
Milan Mandir 107-25 lefferts blvd, Queens NY 11420
Contact: Acharya Arunji: arun.gossai@gmail.com

WESTCHESTER

A. 1,15 March (2 sessions in Westchester)
Typically every 1st& 3rd Sunday of the Month
Vedanta Study Group in Westchester
Conducted by Shri George Romney
“Kathoupanishad)”
2:30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Contact: Shri George Romney: (212) 427-2408
“Atma Bodha"
4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Contact: Dr Smita Kumar: (914) 472-7138, (914) 529-9551, super11mom@aol.com

B. 29 March
Sunday 4pm-5pm
Conducted by Acharya Arunji
Youth Empowerment Program
Contact: Acharya Arunji: arun.gossai@gmail.com

NEW JERSEY

A. Saturday 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.
Vedanta Study Class in Emerson, NJ
12 Robyn Court, Emerson, NJ 07630
Contact: Radhika Vijayan: (201) 391-1234

B. Sunday 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
Chinmaya Balavihar in Jersey City
Contact: jcbalavihar@gmail.com

BROOKLYN

A. Sundays 9 a.m. to 10.00 a.m
Chinmaya Bala Vihar in Brooklyn
Contact: Sunita Vishwanath: (718) 623-2611 / (917) 518-2441

SPECIAL SESSIONS

A. 16 March
Monday 7pm-9pm
Conducted by Acharya Arunji
Text “Spirituality for Success”
Baruch College 55 Lexington ave
Contact: Acharya Arunji: arun.gossai@gmail.com

B. 25, 26 March
6pm – 9pm
Conducted by Acharya Arunji
Text “Nav Raatri Talks”
Prem Bhakti Mandir, 92-47 172 street, 11432 Queens NY
Contact: Acharya Arunji: arun.gossai@gmail.com

Note:
Please RSVP for participation.
To arrange Talks/ Satsanghs/ Seminars in your home or neighborhood, please contact:
CMNY Board at cmnybodmembers@chinmayanewyork.org
Visit www.chinmayanewyork.org for the updated activity schedule calendar.

Chinmaya Mission New York wishes everyone a happy, prosperous and fulfilling New Year.

Regards,
Chinmaya Mission New York
webadministrator@chinmayanewyork.org
www.chinmayanewyork.org

Chinmaya Publications: http://www.chinmayapublication.com/
More Audio collections are being digitized; Full list of new Audio/Mp3 CD (Bhajans and talks)

Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.
- Swami Chinmayananda

2015 Mahasamadhi Camp Registration now Open - http://eepurl.com/bfV86v

Chinmaya Mission New York

Chinmaya Mahasamadhi Camp 2015 Invitation

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Hari OM

You are already aware that this 22^nd Annual camp promises to be a special event, as 2015 is also the start of the Centenary Celebrations in honor of the 100^th birth anniversary of Gurudev.

Date: July 29th- August 3rd, 2015
Place: Double Tree Hilton Hotel, 200 Atrium Drive, Somerset, NJ, USA
(Nearest Airport: Newark International Airport (EWR)
Theme: Upanishad Ganga; Wisdom Ancient, Strength Limitless

A dedicated team of Chinmaya Mission Tri-State Center volunteers is working on the camp plans and logistics. As you had expressed a keen interest in the camp we wanted to give you a sneak peek of where we are in the planning process.

The theme of the camp chosen by Pujya Guruji, “Upanishad Ganga”, reminds us about the first series of Gyana Yagnas with the 100 day Upanishad Gyana Yagna by Pujya Gurudev in Pune, in 1951. Pujya Guruji through his discourses will be bringing to us the subtle truths of the Upanishads in his inimitably simple and straightforward manner.

We are fortunate to have several senior Acharyas of our mission participate and guide us through this camp including:
Swamini Akhilananda, Swami Chaitanyananda, Swamini Gangananda, Swami Ishwarananda, Swami Prakashananda, Swami Sarveshananda, Swami Shantananda, Swami Sharanananda, Swami Siddhananda, Swamini Sivapriyananda, Swami Swaroopananda, Br. Girish Chaitanya, Brni. Arpita, Br. Arun and Acharya Vivek. This will indeed be a Kumbh Mela and a unique opportunity to revel in the company of sages.

A unique feature of the 2015 camp is the presentation of the virat roop of Chinmaya Mission through the Chinmaya Vishwa workshops. Some of the special invitees joining in for the camp include: Manisha Khemlani (Chief operating officer, CCMT), Manisha Makhecha (Projects coordinator, CIF), Ramaa Bharadwaj (Director, CNB), Ravi Nene (CEO, Chinmaya Vibhooti), Dr. Kshama Metre (Director, CORD), Mona Malkhani (Projects coordinator, CORD), Gowri Mehenthiran (Director, CORD, SriLanka), Vijaya Cherukuri (Director, CORD USA), Sumathi Mukkamala (CORD, Chinmaya Vijaya), Pranji Lodhia (Treasurer, CMW).

The daily schedule will be packed with programs for Adults, CSKs, CHYKs, and Balavihar kids; including morning meditation, yoga, satsangs, workshops, cultural programs with ample time for rest, recreation, reflection and interaction.

Registration for the camp is now open at www.chinmayamahasamadhi.org. We are looking forward to seeing you at the camp. Please email us at msc2015@chinmayavrindavan.org or call (609) 831-3672 / (609) 655-0404 with any questions you might have.

Unto Him our best
Chinmaya Mission TriState Center.
Mahasamadhi Camp Team

We only have to turn inward. Turn within – about face – and you are face to face with what you are seeking.
Swami Chinmayananda, 1951

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Chinmaya Publications:
http://www.chinmayapublication.com/
More Audio collections are being digitized; Full list of new Audio/Mp3 CD
(Bhajans and talks)

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