Adults
Why Vedanta forums?
Mananam or contemplating on the knowledge heard (Study Groups): Concepts are best understood when discussed in a interactive forum, which is what study groups provide.
What is a study group? A group of 5-15 adults engaged in the discussion of Vedantic topics based on the curriculum of books as prescribed by our masters
Why does one need to attend a study group?
Mere listening does not help. These ideas are to be reflected upon deeply and digested slowly. This process is hastened only when you discuss what you have studied with others. This is not a Chinmaya methodology; it is the most ancient Vedantic tradition of study.
- Swami Chinmayanandaji
- Vedanta is the spiritual philosophy component of the Vedas
- It is timeless; very practically applicable & effective even in today’s world
- Empowers individuals to live a dynamic and fulfilled life
- Regular education teaches one to make a living, whereas Vedanta teaches one to make a ‘life’
- Seva done with the right thinking brings deeper fulfillment
- Helps eliminates blind faith & superstition
- Helps develop & strengthen bhakti (true devotion)
Mananam or contemplating on the knowledge heard (Study Groups): Concepts are best understood when discussed in a interactive forum, which is what study groups provide.
What is a study group? A group of 5-15 adults engaged in the discussion of Vedantic topics based on the curriculum of books as prescribed by our masters
Why does one need to attend a study group?
- Regular dose of ‘correct thinking’ & inspiration based on scriptures is essential for efficient living
- Ideas & concepts get better understood and assimilated when discussed in a group
- Encourages group bonding in holistic manner
- Forum not available elsewhere
- Helps one reach one's higher potential
Mere listening does not help. These ideas are to be reflected upon deeply and digested slowly. This process is hastened only when you discuss what you have studied with others. This is not a Chinmaya methodology; it is the most ancient Vedantic tradition of study.
- Swami Chinmayanandaji
Swaranjali
CMA Swaranjali is a bhajan group. Different bhajans are practised and learnt in this group.
There are 2 Swaranjali sessions currently.
Current Swaranjali sessions: Thursday Evenings 8-9 pm – Coordinator – Lalitha Yellumraju
Links to Balavihar Slokas and Bhajans:
Current Swaranjali sessions: Thursday Evenings 8-9 pm – Coordinator – Lalitha Yellumraju
Links to Balavihar Slokas and Bhajans:
Kalaa Seva creates avenues for CMA members to offer their seva to CMA thru the medium of art.
Their aim is to have fundraisers for original art done by CMA sevaks using topics conducive to CM.
Options for various mediums (canvas paintings, clay modeling, handicrafts etc.) will be explored for each year
Plan is also include talented Bala vihar kids & JCHYKs and have them use their creativity to explore CM topics relevant to their age group.
First Silent art auction fundraiser Kalaa seva did their first silent canvas art auction fundraiser just for CMA families in April. More than 50% of the paintings got sold with 100% of proceeds being donated to CMA
CMA Summer Art Exhibition & fundraiser
Open to all within & outside CMA
Date: Sat July 21st & July 22nd
Venue: Chinmaya Gurukul
Rules:
Their aim is to have fundraisers for original art done by CMA sevaks using topics conducive to CM.
Options for various mediums (canvas paintings, clay modeling, handicrafts etc.) will be explored for each year
Plan is also include talented Bala vihar kids & JCHYKs and have them use their creativity to explore CM topics relevant to their age group.
Events
First Silent art auction fundraiser Kalaa seva did their first silent canvas art auction fundraiser just for CMA families in April. More than 50% of the paintings got sold with 100% of proceeds being donated to CMA
CMA Summer Art Exhibition & fundraiser
Open to all within & outside CMA
Date: Sat July 21st & July 22nd
Venue: Chinmaya Gurukul
Rules:
- Participants - Open to all CMA artists (as well as their friends & relatives)
- Art - Original, Creative & framed canvas art paintings only
- Dates to submit Artwork - Sun June 30th & Sun July 7th (9:00 - 11:30 am)
- Submitted art work to be displayed at auction will be finalized by the kalaa seva coordinators
- Participant artists need to email their name & contact info to Kalaa seva
Enrichment classes for adults at CMA
CMA offers yoga, music & dance classes for adults at SFMS and at the ashram. These classes are charged separately unless mentioned otherwise. Please contact instructor for all details.Yoga Classes :
Sundays 9:45 - 10:45 am at the South Forsyth Middle school gym.
Fee - No charge
Bring a yoga mat
Walk ins welcome
Kathak Classes (for kids (9+) & adults):
Sundays 9:45 - 10:45 am at the South Forsyth Middle school gym.
Teacher - Leera Rawal Leeraji having trained under Kumudiben Lakhia & Birju Maharaj has been practicing and performing for over 30 years. Leeraji is a long time CM devotee and sevak. Contact Leera Rawal at leera.rawal@gmail.com for all details.
Enrichment Classes at Chinmaya Gurukul, 4980 Pittman rd, Cumming, GA
Tabla Classes (for kids & adults):
- Sat 8:30 am - Kids class 1
- Sat 9:40 am - Adults class
- Sat 10:45 am - Kids class 2
The course content though based on the syllabus recommended by Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai.
Instructor: Shri Shivprasad Kotagal from Param-Shikhar Academy of Tabla (disciple of Pt. K. Paramjyoti). Email Shivji at paramshikhar@gmail.com to register.
Veena Classes (for kids & adults):
Saturdays 3-5 pm at Chinmaya Gurukul
Instructor : Jaya Kottamasu, student of Sri Chavali Sarveswra Sarma has been teaching Veena for the past 10 years. She holds a veena certification from Ghantasala Music College in Vijaywada Contact Jayaji at jayaveena@gmail.com (678 361 0487) for all details
North Indian classical (Hindustani) instrumental music classes
Group Sitar Classes (Beginner to Advanced) for kids & adults:
Saturdays - 11 am -12:30 pm
Group Instrumental music classes (guitar, voilin, voila, keyboard, oboe, flute etc):
Saturdays 9:30 - 11 am
Learn to play Hindustani music form on any instrument of your choice, improvisation & composition techniques and more.
Eligibility: Student to be able to play a scale on the instrument
Start date for both classes - Sept 16th
Instructor: Kakali Bandyapadhyay Kakaliji began study of the sitar at the age of 7, with lessons from Pandit Kalyani Roy, a disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan. She later studied with Pandit Indranil Bhattacharyya, disciple of Ustad Allauddin Khan. She attended master classes with Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and earned a bachelor’s degree in music with top distinction in India.
She is an artist affiliate at Emory University, and has been teaching sitar and Hindustani music in metro Atlanta area for the past 18 years.
Contact Kakali Bandyopadhyay at sitarkb@gmail.com (cell: 678 677 3975) for all details
Workshop on North Indian classical (Hindustani) & semi classical instrumental music
- Date - Sept 9th, 2018
- Time - 2-5 pm
- Fee: $40
- Venue - Chinmaya Gurukul, 4980 Pittman rd, Cumming
Workshop includes- Introduction to Hindustani Music, Ragas and Talas. Attendees learn compositions on ragas, basic concept of improvisation and perform together at the end of the workshop.
Conducted by Kakali Bandyopadhyay. Contact Kakaliji at sitarkb@gmail.com (cell: 678 677 3975) to register
Signups for all enrichment classes on Aug 19th, 9:45 - 10:45 am at SFMS rotunda
Sessions at SFMS
| Day | Time | Study Group/Session | Facilitator | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 9:30 – 10:00 am | Shiva Manasa Puja (for BV teachers) | Sivaji | Rm 148 |
| Sunday | 10 – 10:50 am | BV teaching sevaks session | Sudha | Rm 148 |
| Sunday | 11:30am – 12:30pm | Bhagavad Gita | Sushmaji | Gym |
| Sunday | 11:30am – 12:30pm | Vivekachudamani | Sivaji | Cafeteria |
| Sunday | 11:30am – 12:30pm | Tattva bodh study group | Sudha | Rm 148 |
Sessions at Marietta Location
| Day | Time | Study Group/Session | Facilitator | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 4:30 -5:30 pm | Self Unfoldment study group | Sudershan | Marietta |
| Day | Time | Activity | Venue | Facilitator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondays | 10-11:30 am | Shiva puja & Stotram class | Ashram | Sivaji, Sushmaji |
| Wednesdays | 10-11:30am | Krishna puja; devi class | Ashram | Sushmaji |
| Wednesdays | 8-9 pm | JnanaSara (class for BV teachers) | online | Sivaji |
| 1st Thurs | 8-9 pm | Guru paduka puja | Ashram | Sivaji, Sushmaji |
| Fridays | 8- 9 pm | Narayaneeyam class | Ashram | Sushmaji |
| Saturdays | 8:00 – 8:30 am | Vedic Chanting class | Ashram | Sushmaji |
| Saturdays | 8:30 – 9:30 am | Talk on Hastamalaka stotram | Ashram | Sivaji |
| Saturdays | 5-6 pm | Talk on Vivekachudamani | Ashram | Sushmaji |
| Tue | 10:00 -10:30 am | Vedic chanting (Max participants- 3 ) | online | Sushmaji |
| Fri | 10:30 -11:00 am | Vedic chanting (Max participants- 3 ) | online | Sushmaji |
| Day | Time | Text/Actvity | Venue | Facilitator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondays | 8:15 – 9:15 pm | Upadesha Sara | 3800 grey abbey dr, Alpharetta * | Sudha |
| Tuesdays | 10:30 - 11:30 am | Bhagavad Gita | 3800 grey abbey dr, Alpharetta | Sudha |
| Tuesdays | 8:00 – 9:00 pm | Self Unfoldment | 205 harrogate way, Alpharetta * | Bhavana |
| Wednesdays | 12:30 - 1:30 pm | Swaranjali | Cumming | Haritha |
| Thursdays | 8:00 – 9:00 pm | Self Unfoldment | Zoom session (online) | Sudha |
| Thursdays | 8:00 – 9:00 pm | Swaranjali | 3422 Cape York trace, Alpharetta | Lalitha |
| Fridays | 11:15 am - 12:15 pm | Self Unfoldment | 4625 Springale Ct, Cumming | Sudha |
| Sundays | 6:30-7:30 pm | Tattva bodh | 5390 Lexington woods ln, Alpharetta | Sameer/Kumar |
| Sundays | 6:30 - 7:30 pm | Bhaja Govindam | 1030 Buxton way, Alpharetta | Shekhar |
| Day | Time | Session | Instructor | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sundays | 9:45 – 10:45 am | Yoga class | SFMS(Gym) | |
| Sundays | 9:45 – 10:45 am | Kathak class (for kids and adults) | Leera Rawal(leera.rawal@gmail.com) | SFMS(Gym) |
| Saturdays | 9:40 - 10:40 am | Tabla class | Shiv Kotagal (shiv.kotagal@gmail.com) | Ashram |
Volunteer opportunities
We have many Seva groups the parents can get involved:
Contact us at yagnasandcamps@chinmayamissionalpharetta.org
Contact us at fundraiser@chinmayamissionalpharetta.org
Contact us at communityservice@chinmayamissionalpharetta.org
Contact us at cmacelebrations@chinmayamissionalpharetta.org