CHYK-WEST BOARD MEMBERS
Our Teachers
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda
Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda
Swami Ishwaranandaji
Swami Prakashanandaji
Brahmachari Uddhav Chaitanyaji
Secretaries
Dr. Sapna Sutaria
(CHYK-West National Secretary)
Region: National
Mr. Pritesh Kot
(CHYK-West Webmaster)
Region: Canada
Mr. Kaushik Bhatia
(CHYK-West Treasurer)
Region: Midwest
Ms. Swetha Bharadvaj
(CHYK-West Graduation Coordinator)
Region: West
Mr. Vishaal Gupta
(2007 CHYK-West Camp Coordinator)
Region: South
Dr. Sameer Murali
Region: Southwest
Mr. Smaran Gollamudi
Region: Northeast
Ms. Komal Agrawal
(CHYK-West Newsletter Editor)
Message from Our Teacher
Pujya Gurudev, on Healing-Vegetarianism-Meditation-etc.
Click on Gurudev's picture to go directly to his video message
Message from Dr. Sapna Sutaria, CHYK-West National Secretary
Hari Om!
This season is an exciting one for the CMW family! We enjoyed Navaratri festivities in October. All centers celebrated Diwali and embraced a New Year in November. December promises to bring many anticipated events throughout the region as well.
On December 1, 2007, CHYK-Trinidad & Tobago hosted its 2nd Annual Bhagavad Gita Symposium. The theme for this year’s event was “GITA: The IM from GOD.” CHYK-Trinidad &Tobago encouraged CHYK-West members to submit papers relevant to this theme. A panel of members was present during the symposium for questions and discussions coming from these papers and relevant to the theme.
On December 16-22, 2007, Chinmaya Mission-Houston will be celebrating the auspicious occasion of the inauguration of a new temple, Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya. The inauguration and traditional Vedic pujas welcoming Lord Siva will be conducted in presence of His Holiness Swami Tejomayananda (Pujya Guruji). Pujya Guruji will hold discourses on “Sivastuti” from Sri Ramacaritamanasa from December 19-21.
And finally, 2007 culminates in the Chinmaya Mission Family Spiritual Camp in conjunction with the CHYK-West Annual Conference, which takes place this year in beautiful Orlando, from December 24-30, 2007! We highly encourage you to take part in this opportunity for spiritual reflection and renewal. A unique schedule has been created specially for CHYK, which includes daily satsang with Pujya Guruji.
We hope to see you at these events! Please check our website at http://www.chykwest.com regularly for postings of local and regional events. Additionally, check early next year for information on graduation ceremonies and to download graduation packets for your center.
As inspiring and refreshing as the annual and national events are, we also encourage you to join or form local CHYK study groups, participate in CHYK workshops/retreats in your area, and to bond together with CHYKs in your area to participate in regular community service projects. If you would like more information about activities in your area, please refer to our website at http://www.chykwest.com for postings or to contact your local or regional representative. A structure is only as strong as its foundation. Only with strong local participation can CHYK-West grow and become a vibrant organization!
Love and Om, Sapna Sutaria
Message about December 2007 Camp, from Mr. Vishaal Gupta, 2007 CHYK-West Camp Coordinator
Hari Om Fellow CHYKsters!
It's that time of year again! This December, as part of the Chinmaya Family Spiritual Camp, CHYK-West will be holding it's 2007 CHYK-West Annual Conference in beautiful Orlando, FL! Come join your fellow CHYKs to learn the ins and outs of Vedanta from your favorite Acharayas while basking in the Florida sun.
The conference spans from December 24th – 30th, 2007, and registration is available at www.chinmayaorlando.org/familycamp2007/CHYK.html. Of course, you are not required to attend the entire conference – registration is available even for just a few days. Register NOW to secure the discounted registration rate! You don't want to miss this annual event. If you have a request for financial assistance, or have any further questions regarding the conference, email Vishaal Gupta at vishaalg@gmail.com.
We will see you in Orlando!
Q&A submitted by Dr. Sameer Murali
Answered by Swami Chinmayananda in
1975
Q: What is the role of sex in a "spiritual" life?
A: Sex is natural; even a necessity while functioning
and remaining in the P.F.T (perceiver, feeler,
thinker) level of Consciousness. Let people make no
great deal about it: be natural and forget all about
it: it is perhaps to them a relief from inner tensions– let them.
But to a Sadhak (seeker) control is the law. Even here
he should not feel highly taunt …… it should not
become a suppression. Sex is to be sublimated
intelligently. This can be done.
The sastras explain a Plan with 3 schemes :
A. Control of raw material
B. Conservation of what is produced and
C. Transmutation of the seed-power.
Control ----- includes food, feelings, contacts,
company etc.
Conservation ----- attitude to the other as mother
(father) as sister (brother), as Devi (Deva) the Lord.
Also refusing to indulge : cold shower : keep clean:
and constant feeling of His Holy presence around you.
Transmutation ----- Deep thinking & vigorous
meditation are moments when the seed-power (OJAS) gets
converted into “brilliance” (TEJAS) of the saint. Even
research scholars, deep thinking mathematicians etc
are relatively found less inclined to sex- interest.
When meditations are not regular, ‘have heavy food,
live in luxurious and sensuous environment’ ------ in
such cases the individual returns to lower levels of
awareness. With this the sex-idea again lifts its
fangs.
Reconversion of OJAS (sex) to TAIJAS (Spiritual Glow)
is achieved through meditation - deep & devoted,
sustained & long , steady & silent.
Till you reach to explode into the higher, Sex is a Charm, a Joy which nature provides for the work of
reproduction. But when you make the sex energy flow
upward and inward , the reward is Bliss Infinite. In
such a person sex never troubles, as it did not when
we were children. Thereafter a sex act is not anything
to ponder over, to regret, or to applaud.
When nose is full blow it out!!!
Currrent Events
SRI SAUMYAKASI SIVALAYA INAUGURATION AT CHINMAYA MISSION HOUSTON: Dec 16 – 22, 2007
The making of a temple is an endeavor that happens once in a lifetime of fortunate few. Please plan to join the puja and celebrations for this auspicious occasion.
Inauguration of the temple and the traditional Vedic pujas welcoming Lord Siva will be conducted in presence of His Holiness Swami Tejomayananda. Swamiji will also hold discourses on "Sivastuti" from Sri Ramacaritamanasa from December 19-21.
Click on the link below for more information, RSVP and sponsorship information:
http://www.chinmayahouston.org/
RECIPE-KHEER (Indian Rice Pudding)
Ingredients (Serves 4):
4 cups milk
1/2 cup basmati rice
1/2 cup condensed milk (optional)
½ cup sugar (may add more/less to taste)
1 tablespoon chopped pistachios
1 tablespoon chopped almonds
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon rose water
Few strands saffron
Directions:
Heat the milk in a saucepan.
When it starts to boil, add the rice and leave to simmer until rice is soft and grains start to break up. Stir continuously.
When mixture has thickened, add the condensed milk, sugar, ground cardamom, and most of the chopped pistachios and almonds.
Let cook for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and add rose water.
Garnish with remaining pistachios, remaining almonds, and saffron.
May serve hot or cold.
Summer 2007 CHYK Camp in Chicago, submitted by CHYK-Chicago
After four years, Chinmaya Yuva Kendra students gathered at Chicago’s Badri Ashram in August 2007 for a five-day camp entitled “Mind and Metamorphosis.” Swami Sharanananda of Chicago, IL and Br. Uddhav Chaitanya from Dallas, TX guided 52 Chinmaya Yuva Kendras (CHYKs), comprised of college students and young professionals, through discourse and dialogue from August 8-12, 2007. The retreat emphasized self-discipline, vigilance, and methods of applying the teachings of Hindu scriptures into daily routine.
“We organized this camp with only one goal in mind – inner transformation through spiritual growth,” said Anjani Kothari, CHYK organizer of the 2007 Chicago camp. “Our main goal was accomplished successfully, and there was definitely a shift in our attitudes and energy.” Organizers focused on establishing a sense of camaraderie early in the camp in order to motivate each camper to make the most out of the five-day session, which started each day with yoga and meditation at 6 a.m. and concluded around 10 p.m. Each camper was assigned to a seva group to assist with cleaning and maintenance over the course of the week and to a study group to discuss teachings from Adi Sankara’s Sadhana Panchakam and Bhagavan Ramana Maharsi’s Upadesa Sara. "I can't summarize in words how much I learned from both the acharyas as well as my fellow campers,” said camper Sowmya Sundareswaran. “I learned invaluable lessons not only in spirituality, but also how to apply these teachings from our scriptures to my day-to-day life and have a positive approach to life as a whole.” The camp demographics varied with participants ranging from college freshman in their late teens to young professionals in their mid-30s. Most attendees traveled from various parts of North America; however the camp also piqued the interest of seekers from Canada, Trinidad, and England.
While discourses, question and answer sessions, and satsang are generally the highlights of most CHYK retreats, the 2007 Chicago camp was also a vehicle for accomplishing another important goal of Chinmaya Mission. On August 11, 2007, campers participated in a 5K walk-a-thon in a nearby forest preserve to raise funds for the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD). CORD uses its resources to promote rural development in more than 540 impoverished villages in Himachal Pradesh, India. The organization promotes opportunities for oppressed women by empowering them with basic education, micro-banking skills, and preventative health care measures. The CHYK-run fundraiser drew approximately 200 walkers and raised $10,000 in individual donations. “The organization has transformed the lives of marginalized people and empowered them to take control of their lives,” said Pooja Merai, who spent more than four months with her sister Poonam volunteering in Himachal Pradesh under CORD director Dr. Kshama Metre. “The walkathon is just a start to support and spread the message of the beautiful organization. Our work has just begun.”
The mission to continue spreading the message about CHYK endeavors worldwide received a shot in the arm during the camp as well. CHYK-West organizers outlined five goals, with the objective to educate and promote Vedanta among CHYKs in college and early in their professional careers. Br. Uddhavji, CHYK-West coordinator, directed us to:
Establish study groups at local centers and colleges
Perform community service (for example: maintain roadways through county and state programs)
Support CORD activities (for example: volunteer in Sidhbari, organize fundraisers)
Organize and volunteer in activities supporting senior citizens
Teach Balavihar classes
CHYK-Chicago organizers plan to host another camp during Summer 2008.