Chinmaya Somnath

- 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.

- 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.

- Gītā Chanting
CMWRC has been conducting a very successful annual Gītā 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 Gītā Chanting program is simple. Chanting introduces one to the verses of the sacred Bhagavad Gītā. 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

- Program for Adults and Youth
For adults, Chinmaya Mission offers Vedantic education, based on the Bhagavad Gītā and other scriptural texts. Conventional education teaches one how to make a living. Vedantic knowledge teaches one how to live in happiness. During our day‐to‐day life struggles, we often forget that the well‐spring 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 today’s world. The learning and application of Vedanta enables not only spiritual development, but personal and professional growth as well.


- Bhagavad Gītā Classes*
On a weekly basis, while children are attending Bala Vihar classes, Chinmaya Mission trained Acharyas conduct pravachans (lectures) on the Bhagavad Gītā 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 Gītā 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 bi‐weekly 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.

* Core Weekly Programs for Family



CMWRC Organization
Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Center (CMWRC) was established in the late 1980’s 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 (CCMT‐India). CMWRC is registered as a non‐profit organization and is overseen by a Board of Trustees. The day‐to‐day operations are run by dedicated volunteers and managed by an Executive Committee. Currently, CMWRC chapters operate in Silver Spring‐MD (Chinmayam), Northern Virginia (Chinmaya Somnath based at Herndon‐VA in 2012 and at Chantilly-VA from early 2013 onward), Frederick‐MD, Salisbury‐MD and Richmond‐VA.
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 not‐for‐profit 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 (Jul‐Aug 2009).