Chinmaya Mission UK
Chinmaya Mission UK - Together for a better world
Chinmaya Mission exists to provide individuals from any background, the universal wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for personal growth and development, enabling them to become positive contributors to society.
We are the UK centre of this global educational and service-oriented spiritual and charitable organisation. Brni Shripriya Chaitanya is the resident Acharya (teacher) here in the UK.
Chinmaya Mission was established in India in 1953 by devotees of the world-renowned Vedanta teacher, His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda. Guided by his vision, devotees all around the world formed the nucleus of a spiritual renaissance movement that now encompasses a wide range of spiritual, educational, and charitable activities, ennobling the lives of thousands in India and across its borders.
Presently, headed by His Holiness Swami Swaroopananda, the Mission is administered by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT) in Mumbai, India. Under his guidance, the Mission has continued mushrooming across the globe and stands today with over 300 centres worldwide.
Chinmaya Mission UK offers an array of study forums and activities in English based on Indian scriptures for adults, children, youth (18-35 years) and senior citizens (60+) that empower and transform individuals. Chinmaya Mission UK is run entirely by volunteers and nearly all our activities are free to attend. In the spirit of the Vedic tradition that the highest knowledge should be given freely to all, the majority of our activities are supported by the contribution of individuals and generous sponsors.
Annual Activities
Our core annual activities include residential retreats (camps) and Gyana Yagnas (spiritual discourses) conducted by visiting Acharyas (spiritual teachers) on texts including the Bhagavad Geeta and the Upanishads. Acharyas are most commonly Sannyasis (monks) trained in Chinmaya Mission’s teacher-taught lineage, who have dedicated their lives to the study and dissemination of Vedic knowledge for the benefit of society.
Regular Activities
Chinmaya Mission UK conducts regular classes for all ages – there is something suitable for everyone, right from babies a few months old to senior citizens. These classes take different forms including talks by our resident Acharya, Brni Shripriya Chaitanya, interactive classes for children and teenagers, study groups and workshops. We also offer classes in Sanskrit, social service projects, devotional singing, and yoga and celebrate a range of festivals and events throughout the year.
Publications
Chinmaya Mission publishes hundreds of titles on Vedanta and has two global divisions in the USA and India dedicated to producing the highest quality books and audiovisual content, including commentaries on every major Vedic text. We have a bookshop at our centre in London and a dedicated UK-based online bookshop on which it is possible to purchase most items: www.chinmayabooks.com.
Our motto is to give the maximum happiness to the maximum number of people for the maximum time.
Chinmaya Kirti
With an endless flow of visiting Acharyas, friends, family and plenty of activities for self-development, ‘Chinmaya Kirti’ in Hendon, north London is more than just a centre. It is an ‘Ashram’, an ashram for the Chinmaya UK family. It is a forum to learn, teach, grow, serve, worship and celebrate – all under one roof.
‘Chinmaya Kirti’ houses the aspirations of devotees to continue the work of Swami Chinmayananda and fulfill whatever part is theirs in his grand scheme of spreading maximum happiness to all.
Above all, it is nothing less than an expression of an inspiration to live ‘Vedanta in Action’.
