The focus of the Study Group is on the study, logical reflection and application of the teachings of the Vedantic scriptures in daily life. The aim is to gain Self-knowledge. To explain the importance of constant reflection, Swami Chinmayananda gave the example of a cup of coffee with a spoon of sugar at the bottom. Until and unless the sugar is stirred, the coffee remains bitter. Similarly, knowledge is only absorbed when it is properly stirred by the intellect. The role of the Study Group is to stir knowledge so that its sweetness becomes one with the personality.
Members of the group support each other by sharing their study, knowledge, reflections and experiences of personal application. There are no particular requirements for joining a study group. All one needs is a desire for gaining Vedantic knowledge.
Furthermore children will emulate their parents and it is essential that parents are grounded in Vedanta so they can guide their children when the need arises.
See the list of available study groups offered for Chinmaya Mission Seattle
“Study Groups constitute the heart of our Mission. The ideas, when discussed with others, not only become deeply rooted in you, but as they become clearer in your own understanding, they also inspire those who listen to you. Thus, each student, while trying to strengthen his own understanding, can become an instrument for the spread of this knowledge. This process is the dynamic study scheme followed in the Vedantic tradition. This is not a Chinmaya methodology; it is the most ancient Vedantic tradition of study.” – Swami Chinmayananda
| Day | Time | Location | Text | Coordinator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3:30 – 4:40pm | LWUMC | Self Unfoldment | Sujatha Aswath |
| Sun | 3:30 – 4:40pm | LWUMC | Bhaja Govindam (prerequisite : having studied Self Unfoldment) | Vasavi Tankala |
| Mon | 8:00 – 9:00pm | Bothell | Self Unfoldment | Krithika Mahesh |
| Mon | 8:00 – 9:00pm | Kirkland | Self Unfoldment | Sujatha Aswath |
| Wed | 5:15 – 6:15pm | Virtual | Bhagavad Gita | Anupama Subramanian |
| Thur | 8:30 – 9:30pm | Sammamish | Self Unfoldment | Keerthana Kanagaraj |
| Fri | 5:00 – 6:00pm | Redmond Ridge | Self Unfoldment | Annapoorna Moorthy |
| Mon-Fri | 9:00 – 9:30pm | Virtual | Spiritual Biography reading | Krithika Mahesh |
| Sat | 7:00-8:00am | Virtual | Art of Man Making | Krithika Mahesh |
| Sun | 6:30 – 7:30am | Redmond Education Hill | Self Unfoldment | Vasavi Tankala |
Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) is a global youth wing of Chinmaya Mission. It aims to empower youth with the vision, values, and dynamism for success in all fields. CHYK is aimed for college students and young professionals with a goal to harness youth potential through dynamic spirituality.
CHYK Seattle conducts weekly self-development and spirituality discussions based on Hindu texts (Hanuman Chalisa, Bhaja Govindam, Bhagavad Gita, etc), as well as social outings and seva (service) activites! CHYK meets on Sunday evenings in Seattle.
The best way to connect with CHYK Seattle is via the WhatsApp group. Join here and a coordinator will be in touch with you! You can also email chykseattle@gmail.com with any questions.
Swami Ishwarananda is resident Swami of Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles and guiding Swamiji of Chinmaya Mission Seattle.
Swamiji will offer a question-answer session each month. An accomplished speaker and jovial soul, his input is invaluable for a seeker to implement the teachings in day-to-day living.
Swamiji is presently one of the Directors of Chinmaya Mission West (CMW) which oversees the activities in North America. Previously, Swamiji was part of Chinmaya Mission Bangalore where he served as the secretary. Swamiji’s own spiritual journey began when 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, thereafter returning to Los Angeles.
Swamiji is a dynamic speaker and has given talks on Vedanta, stress management, management techniques and other such related fields. We are fortunate to have Swamiji come once a month to the Sunday Vedanta Study Group via zoom video conferencing.