Chinmaya Yuva Kendra

Articles - Culture

A Rewarding Reply to a Humble Query (Swami Chinmayananda)
Pujya Gurudev's Message to the Mission Members (Swami Chinmayananda)
New Year Prayer (Swami Chinmayananda)
On the Eve of His First Global Tour (Swami Chinmayananda)

Respected Swamiji,

I am anxious to learn about you. I have been hunting for some biography (or autobiography) of Swami Chinmayananda. You seem to have written or revealed so far nothing. Your Upanishads and Geeta and other books have been glanced by me; but they are all regarding the great Truth. But who are you? Were you like Buddha - a prince, or like Shankara -- a poor brahmin boy, or like Ramakrishna -- an uneducated simple villager, or like Vivekananda -- an intellectual agnostic seeking Truth, but getting disgusted by the vague explanations of the Pundit class? We have a right to know you....

You must give us a glimpse of your own person. Hence I write this note. I have heard, honestly I confess, so many contradictory versions of you -- that from what I am told you can be anything from an irredeemable rake to the sublime instance of a born divine....

Please console me, comfort me. Am I asking too much? Where can I meet you?

Chandra Bhanu Adiyar
Mangalore
26th April, 1966

Swamiji's Reply

Blessed Self,

Om Namo Narayanaya ! Salutations !

Only because I have got more interesting and very useful fields of many other works in hand at present, I cannot give you an "Autobiography" But here are some positive points which should satisfy you for the time being. Later, I am sure you will try to shift your attention from me to the Rishis and make your life beautiful and sublime.

I was born in Kerala, raised in the north, hardened in Punjab, softened in Uttarkashi, criticized everywhere, applauded in some places but accepted and worshipped by everyone. I am a riddle to myself.

Prattling was my profession, preaching is my profession now, and I know practice should be my future job. But everywhere I earned a lot so far and squandered it all in the community.

I am by training a Religious man, by experience a Vedantin, by inclination a Bhakta, in temperament a Karma Yogi, in practice an integral Yogi; my faith is in democracy; I am convinced by socialism; I am habituated to communism; and I am committed to the impossible theory of "Love All".

Thick skinned, hard boned, I have a mail - of - laughter to cover and protect both my head and heart, and so stabs do not penetrate me, spears cannot cleave me, whippings do not lash me.

I eat and drink, take regular baths and sleep, wear clothes, have no jata, work for 18 - 19 hours a day and preach the rest of the time. When audiences are not available, of course, I preach to myself.

I have my lovers and many beloveds in this country and abroad. I play the beloved to my lovers, and am an enthusiastic lover to my Beloveds. We, together, thus step ahead and march through love towards the Lord's Palace of Bliss and Wisdom.

Your goodself may meet me easily in my 35 books, or in the pooja room of any healthy young Indian, be a Hindu, Christian or Muslim.

The white men adore me, the yellow men recognize me, the brown men worship me, the black ones love me.

My teacher was a divinely sweet, incandescent, noble soul and I must tell you of Him when you grow a bit more.

May I hope to hear from you often, plenty of the similar rubbish, but sprinkled with more and more of the sensible stuff ? Try. You can. Don't be shy. This is how everyone grows.

Chinmaya.
Jamshedpur Yagnashala
1st May, 1966.

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Pujya Gurudev's Message to the Mission Members

From the stage of disorganised, sporadic activities during 1964, we have decided to enter into the field of organised, wilfull, planned service of the society and the Lord. This is a great step that the Mission has taken and the report reads as a great promise to the community.

This is an age of organization and without it Hinduism has suffered sufficiently long all these recent centuries. All workers in the Mission will tighten up the discipline, and let the Mission Members become conscious of their responsibilities and duties. Let us relentlessly insist upon discipline from each, and spontaneous co - operation with all.

As a community in 1965, we must come out of this self - made tragedy of wasteful disintegration and avoidable wretchedness. Consciously let us live in a spirit of unity and mutual understanding, of respect for one another, and of love to all. The programmes conceived and the work - schedule planned out can all become a spiritual Sadhana if we insist upon the physical discipline of life and the mental spirit of understanding among the Mission Members.

The office - bearers of the Mission will have to bear the greater burden of encouraging discipline among its members, constantly by their own example.

It is so heartening to find that the Central Chinmaya Trust is taking up courageously such noble plans and programmes of intense social activities and service of the Lord. When we are serving the society if we realise that we are serving Him , we need no other Yoga for our inner purification. I have full confidence in everyone of you. Let us strive hard !!

May Parameshwara's Grace be upon you all always.

Let "At it, at once" be the slogan for the Mission workers throughout 1965.

I wish all of you, throughout the country a happy and prosperous New Year of ardent work in love and with dedication.

Swami Chinmayananda

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New Year Prayer

Beloved Lord ! You had, with infinite patience,
in your endless mercy, led us through a busy year,
giving certainly more than what we asked for,
and often even more than what we, perhaps, deserved.

We prostrate to you in humble reverence,
really aghast at your endless grace,
under which alone we could live all through the last year,
a fairly noble and moral life of service and satisfaction.

Lord ! with your help, may we live a nobler life of
greater undertakings in your seva, all through the coming year.

Let duty become touched with beauty,
all our obligations may, in your blessing, be turned
magically into opportunities. Teach us to fulfill our
duties with joy, nay, with pleasure.

May we bow down to others’ needs.
Let our ears be tuned to hear with love and concern the
silent cry of the needy.

Let us learn to accept kindness with humble joy.
Let us, during this year, learn to heal ourselves
of all our bleeding ulcers of misunderstanding,
jealousy and regrets that erupt from time to time in
our own hearts.

As this year ends, and the fresh year is being
welcomed, let peace and goodwill burst in our heart.

We shall sincerely strive, all through the year,
to serve your creatures,
but it is only in your grace shall they feel blessed,
by your splendour divine.

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On the Eve of His First Global Tour

Here is the text of Pujya Gurudev's talk that he gave to the Mission members on the eve of his First Global Tour in 1965.

"Now that I am going abroad people there will ask me why are you trying to improve others when you yourselves are so bad at home? At that time I must have an answer to give and that answer of mine is the Chinmaya Mission. I can say, who said we have not started? I am working for the last twelve years, I have started the organisation, and now it is a question of a few years before the results from it can be seen. Just as in a seed there is the possibility of a tree - it has just started; wait for a few years and you will find a huge tree coming out. That tree is the Chinmaya Mission.

On the other hand, if the Mission members themselves say immediately I go, "Now that Swamiji is gone, let us stop the study classes." All work stopped, and fights between the secretaries, group leaders and members also split into rightists and leftists, if that comes that will be a very bad thing indeed. You regularly attend the classes and do your sadhana, and that will be your help to me there. I am going only depending upon and ensuring thus on your strength. When I am gone you continue with your study, meditation, japa and sadhana. You must regularly meet and be in touch with one another and ensure mutual relationships. As a team, work! Thus, you help me. Be regular in your Sadhana.

In every walk of life, wherever you be, 24 hours you are a Mission member, not only on Sunday afternoons. As members, your work is not by mouth but by your every action, 24 hours.

MORALITY is never taught, MORALITY is CAUGHT. Moral instructions you cannot give to anybody. Ears are not as powerful as the eyes. We easily imitate what we see and not what we hear. Exhibit the Geeta in your actions. Membership of the Chinmaya Mission is not available for all. Every member must be an active, dynamic living member. If one Mahatma Gandhi is good, all Congress is good - when he went away all are bad now. Now that I am temporarily going abroad, people will evaluate the Chinmaya Mission by your actions. Beware of your actions ! Actions will be good only when the thoughts are good, so keep the thoughts good. Beware, beware all."

Then looking at the members from other centres, he said: "All those from Ernakulam and Poona also. This is not only to Bombay. Don't say it was said only to Central Chinmaya Mission Trust. It is for everyone."


	"Dharma means not merely righteousness or goodness, but it indicates the essential nature of anything, without which, it cannot retain its independent existence." Swami Chinmayananda
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Chinmaya for YOUth Journey of Master Gurudev's vision of CHYK Articles - Culture - India - Management - Motivational - personal - Spiritual Interviews Letters Anecdotes Pictures 108 Names Audio/Video Quotes BMI Chart Say Cheese Youth Alone Can		Articles - Culture A Rewarding Reply to a Humble Query (Swami Chinmayananda) Pujya Gurudev's Message to the Mission Members (Swami Chinmayananda) New Year Prayer (Swami Chinmayananda) On the Eve of His First Global Tour (Swami Chinmayananda) A Rewarding Reply to a Humble Query Respected Swamiji, I am anxious to learn about you. I have been hunting for some biography (or autobiography) of Swami Chinmayananda. You seem to have written or revealed so far nothing. Your Upanishads and Geeta and other books have been glanced by me; but they are all regarding the great Truth. But who are you? Were you like Buddha - a prince, or like Shankara -- a poor brahmin boy, or like Ramakrishna -- an uneducated simple villager, or like Vivekananda -- an intellectual agnostic seeking Truth, but getting disgusted by the vague explanations of the Pundit class? We have a right to know you.... You must give us a glimpse of your own person. Hence I write this note. I have heard, honestly I confess, so many contradictory versions of you -- that from what I am told you can be anything from an irredeemable rake to the sublime instance of a born divine.... Please console me, comfort me. Am I asking too much? Where can I meet you? Chandra Bhanu Adiyar Mangalore 26th April, 1966 Swamiji's Reply Blessed Self, Om Namo Narayanaya ! Salutations ! Only because I have got more interesting and very useful fields of many other works in hand at present, I cannot give you an "Autobiography" But here are some positive points which should satisfy you for the time being. Later, I am sure you will try to shift your attention from me to the Rishis and make your life beautiful and sublime. I was born in Kerala, raised in the north, hardened in Punjab, softened in Uttarkashi, criticized everywhere, applauded in some places but accepted and worshipped by everyone. I am a riddle to myself. Prattling was my profession, preaching is my profession now, and I know practice should be my future job. But everywhere I earned a lot so far and squandered it all in the community. I am by training a Religious man, by experience a Vedantin, by inclination a Bhakta, in temperament a Karma Yogi, in practice an integral Yogi; my faith is in democracy; I am convinced by socialism; I am habituated to communism; and I am committed to the impossible theory of "Love All". Thick skinned, hard boned, I have a mail - of - laughter to cover and protect both my head and heart, and so stabs do not penetrate me, spears cannot cleave me, whippings do not lash me. I eat and drink, take regular baths and sleep, wear clothes, have no jata, work for 18 - 19 hours a day and preach the rest of the time. When audiences are not available, of course, I preach to myself. I have my lovers and many beloveds in this country and abroad. I play the beloved to my lovers, and am an enthusiastic lover to my Beloveds. We, together, thus step ahead and march through love towards the Lord's Palace of Bliss and Wisdom. Your goodself may meet me easily in my 35 books, or in the pooja room of any healthy young Indian, be a Hindu, Christian or Muslim. The white men adore me, the yellow men recognize me, the brown men worship me, the black ones love me. My teacher was a divinely sweet, incandescent, noble soul and I must tell you of Him when you grow a bit more. May I hope to hear from you often, plenty of the similar rubbish, but sprinkled with more and more of the sensible stuff ? Try. You can. Don't be shy. This is how everyone grows. Chinmaya. Jamshedpur Yagnashala 1st May, 1966. Back to Top Pujya Gurudev's Message to the Mission Members From the stage of disorganised, sporadic activities during 1964, we have decided to enter into the field of organised, wilfull, planned service of the society and the Lord. This is a great step that the Mission has taken and the report reads as a great promise to the community. This is an age of organization and without it Hinduism has suffered sufficiently long all these recent centuries. All workers in the Mission will tighten up the discipline, and let the Mission Members become conscious of their responsibilities and duties. Let us relentlessly insist upon discipline from each, and spontaneous co - operation with all. As a community in 1965, we must come out of this self - made tragedy of wasteful disintegration and avoidable wretchedness. Consciously let us live in a spirit of unity and mutual understanding, of respect for one another, and of love to all. The programmes conceived and the work - schedule planned out can all become a spiritual Sadhana if we insist upon the physical discipline of life and the mental spirit of understanding among the Mission Members. The office - bearers of the Mission will have to bear the greater burden of encouraging discipline among its members, constantly by their own example. It is so heartening to find that the Central Chinmaya Trust is taking up courageously such noble plans and programmes of intense social activities and service of the Lord. When we are serving the society if we realise that we are serving Him , we need no other Yoga for our inner purification. I have full confidence in everyone of you. Let us strive hard !! May Parameshwara's Grace be upon you all always. Let "At it, at once" be the slogan for the Mission workers throughout 1965. I wish all of you, throughout the country a happy and prosperous New Year of ardent work in love and with dedication. Swami Chinmayananda Back to Top New Year Prayer Beloved Lord ! You had, with infinite patience, in your endless mercy, led us through a busy year, giving certainly more than what we asked for, and often even more than what we, perhaps, deserved. We prostrate to you in humble reverence, really aghast at your endless grace, under which alone we could live all through the last year, a fairly noble and moral life of service and satisfaction. Lord ! with your help, may we live a nobler life of greater undertakings in your seva, all through the coming year. Let duty become touched with beauty, all our obligations may, in your blessing, be turned magically into opportunities. Teach us to fulfill our duties with joy, nay, with pleasure. May we bow down to others’ needs. Let our ears be tuned to hear with love and concern the silent cry of the needy. Let us learn to accept kindness with humble joy. Let us, during this year, learn to heal ourselves of all our bleeding ulcers of misunderstanding, jealousy and regrets that erupt from time to time in our own hearts. As this year ends, and the fresh year is being welcomed, let peace and goodwill burst in our heart. We shall sincerely strive, all through the year, to serve your creatures, but it is only in your grace shall they feel blessed, by your splendour divine. Back to Top On the Eve of His First Global Tour Here is the text of Pujya Gurudev's talk that he gave to the Mission members on the eve of his First Global Tour in 1965. "Now that I am going abroad people there will ask me why are you trying to improve others when you yourselves are so bad at home? At that time I must have an answer to give and that answer of mine is the Chinmaya Mission. I can say, who said we have not started? I am working for the last twelve years, I have started the organisation, and now it is a question of a few years before the results from it can be seen. Just as in a seed there is the possibility of a tree - it has just started; wait for a few years and you will find a huge tree coming out. That tree is the Chinmaya Mission. On the other hand, if the Mission members themselves say immediately I go, "Now that Swamiji is gone, let us stop the study classes." All work stopped, and fights between the secretaries, group leaders and members also split into rightists and leftists, if that comes that will be a very bad thing indeed. You regularly attend the classes and do your sadhana, and that will be your help to me there. I am going only depending upon and ensuring thus on your strength. When I am gone you continue with your study, meditation, japa and sadhana. You must regularly meet and be in touch with one another and ensure mutual relationships. As a team, work! Thus, you help me. Be regular in your Sadhana. In every walk of life, wherever you be, 24 hours you are a Mission member, not only on Sunday afternoons. As members, your work is not by mouth but by your every action, 24 hours. MORALITY is never taught, MORALITY is CAUGHT. Moral instructions you cannot give to anybody. Ears are not as powerful as the eyes. We easily imitate what we see and not what we hear. Exhibit the Geeta in your actions. Membership of the Chinmaya Mission is not available for all. Every member must be an active, dynamic living member. If one Mahatma Gandhi is good, all Congress is good - when he went away all are bad now. Now that I am temporarily going abroad, people will evaluate the Chinmaya Mission by your actions. Beware of your actions ! Actions will be good only when the thoughts are good, so keep the thoughts good. Beware, beware all." Then looking at the members from other centres, he said: "All those from Ernakulam and Poona also. This is not only to Bombay. Don't say it was said only to Central Chinmaya Mission Trust. It is for everyone." Back to Top