Spark curiosity and understanding of Hindu Culture through interactive discussions, reflection, understanding and application of the concepts shared in the class. Topics include Symbolism of deities and basic concepts in vedanta such as four goals of life (purusharthas), the six virtues (shad sampati), the three qualities of the mind (gunas) and the four stages of life (ashramas).

Self Unfoldment by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda is a text that helps the seeker to develop a strong foundation in the most basic concepts in Vedanta. Discussions and interactive activities ensure these concepts remain embedded in the experience of the student. With this foundation, the student is well prepared to study Prakarana Granthas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. 

Spark curiosity and understanding of Hindu Culture through interactive discussions, reflection, understanding and application of the concepts shared in the class. Topics include Symbolism of deities and basic concepts in vedanta such as four goals of life (purusharthas), the six virtues (shad sampati), the three qualities of the mind (gunas) and the four stages of life (ashramas).

Self Unfoldment by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda is a text that helps the seeker to develop a strong foundation in the most basic concepts in Vedanta. Discussions and interactive activities ensure these concepts remain embedded in the experience of the student. With this foundation, the student is well prepared to study Prakarana Granthas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. 

This text highlights the fundamentals of Vedanta in a clear and logical manner appealing to the modern, scientific-minded generation. It demonstrates how to tap the immense potential power of our inner resources and thereby transform our lives.

For adults, we offer Vedantic education based on the Bhagavad Geeta, Upanishads, and other Advaita Vedanta texts using commentary by Swami Chinmayananda. Registration is required to attend the Vedanta Classes. CMSA offers Vedantic education based on the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and other Advaita Vedanta texts (using commentary by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda). Our resident Acharya, Shri Arvindji Bhagwat conducts regular classes on Sundays (in-person during Balavihar) as well as on weeknights (via online platforms like Zoom). We invite you to continue your spiritual journey through regular classes and study groups of Vedantic scriptures. 

To understand and appreciate Vedanta better, we begin with the introductory book of Kindle Life by Swami Chinmayananda. In this book, Swami Chinmayananda evades much of the technical jargon and initiates us into the essentials of higher, value-based learning. This study will serve as a strong foundation for further deeper Vedantic study and contemplation. Join us on a deeper journey to the Inner Self.   Audience: This is for those who like to gain a clear foundation on Vedantic concepts. This online study group will be led by Anju Arora and the text will be studied in a discussion and interactive format. The Zoom link to join the online session will be sent to registered participants.   Please follow the link to purchase book: https://www.chinmayapublications.com/kindle-life

Dr. Jatin Kapadia will be conducting Vedanta Study Group online via Zoom video conferencing. The Zoom link to join the online session will be sent to registered participants.    This is the first chapter of one of the most famous texts on Vedanta - Panchadashi. Our Guruji, Swami Tejomayananda, in his simple style has explained the subtle concepts of Vedanta. This book deals with various aspects of Self-Knowledge and is helpful to both the novice and the veteran.   Book Follow the link below to purchase book, https://www.chinmayapublications.com/tattva-vivekah 

Adult Study Group Attendees:  Open only to registered Balavihar families or Parivaar/Sevak members Time:  7:00 - 8:45 pm Fridays on Balavihar weekends   Kathopanishad is a unique Upanishad which starts with a katha (a story) of a young boy who is ready to face the Lord of Death in his quest for Truth to know what lies beyond death. He asks the very pertinent and philosophical question, ‘Is there or is there not, and if it is what is it?’In short, this teaching is an extravaganza of spiritual knowledge and meditation that guides a student step by step to the glorious state of immortality, peace and bliss. The format of our class will be to watch video of Guruj’s  discourses for about 30 minutes and continue our Satsangha reading out Gurudev’s Book on Kathopanishad followed by Q&A . The class will have active participation with a quest to prime our precious moments to unfold the mystery beyond Death.

Adult Study Group Attendees:  Open only to registered Balavihar families or Parivaar/Sevak members   Time:  7:00 - 8:45 pm Fridays on Balavihar weekends   The Vedanta 101 study group is targeted towards beginners in Vedanta and  introduces the foundations and glossary of our scriptures in a structured and systematic way.   The book Self Unfoldment written by Pujya Swami Chinmayananda is an extensive manual that elucidates the whole topic of Vedanta in simple layman’s language. The book is filled with simple examples which illustrate complex Vedantic concepts like BMI chart, Karma, Gunas, Pancha Kosha, meditation and many other topics.   Upadesa Sara concisely introduces all four paths enshrined in our Hindu scriptures with Ramana Maharshi's unique way of explaining Vedanta.

Adult Study Group Attendees:  Open only to registered Balavihar families or Parivaar/Sevak members Time: 9:15 - 11:00 AM Sundays on Balavihar weekends   A preliminary text of Vedantic studies, this work lays a very good foundation for all advanced studies. Full of guidance for right living, the book inspires every reader to pursue true spirituality. The language here is simple, yet forceful. Avoiding Technical jargon, Pujya Gurudev initiates us into the essentials of a higher, value-based life. Organized into over thirty lessons or essays, the material here is ideal for a novice.

Adult Study Group Attendees:  Open only to registered Balavihar families or Parivaar/Sevak members Time: 9:15 - 11:00 AM Sundays on Balavihar weekends   Vivekachoodamani is the cream of Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. It re-educates the student, in a systematic way, to provide him with a new vision of life. The Goal and the Journey are both exhaustively dealt with in this elaborate tratement of Vedanta by Acharya Shankara. To one, who is making a deep study of this book, no other help is needed for leading him to a spiritual life and getting him to his self improvement.

Adult Study Groups offered for Academic Year 2024-25 SG#1: Kindle Life  SG#2: Bhaja Govindam SG#3: Tattva Bodha SG#4: Manha Sodhanam SG#5: Bhagavad Gita (Chapter-3) SG#6: Bhagavad Gita (Chapter-6) SG#7: Bhagavad Gita (Chapter-14)   Who should attend? - Open to all Parents, Guardians, Adults and Youth.   Kindle Life (SG#1) is the First study class recommeded for all "New" members to the Chinmaya Mission (including those who started late in the last academic year; or old members returning after a long gap).   As a pre-requisite, signing-up for any study class (i.e. from SG#2 to SG#7) requires completion of the prior study classe(s).    For questions, guidance please contact Sri. Sunil Narayanan or Sri.Venkata Ramana Namboori  

Adult Study Group Attendees:  Open only to registered Balavihar families or Parivaar/Sevak members Time: 12:45 - 2:30 PM Sundays on Balavihar weekends   Kena Upanishad also humorously called ‘What-O-Upanishad’ by Swami Chinmayananda is one of the most important among the many Upanishads. Kena means ‘by whom’ and true to its name this Upanishad digs deep into the question of who or what is the enlivening force that makes us think and do things. It starts off by asking ‘willed by whom does the mind land upon objects’? An innocent but deep question indeed. The Upanishad then develops on this thought into profound depths which takes one into the core of Vedantic teachings.

Adult Study Group Attendees:  Open only to registered Balavihar families or Parivaar/Sevak members Time: 12:45 - 2:30 PM Sundays on Balavihar weekends   The Vedanta 101 study group is targeted towards beginners in Vedanta and introduces the foundations and glossary of our scriptures in a structured and systematic way.   Vedanta is the science of life. It shows us the gateway to peace and happiness. To understand this subtle science, knowledge of certain terms and concepts is mandatory. With striking examples and ingenious poetry, Atma Bodha guides the reader along the path of Vedanta terminology. Reflecting on these verses will uplift the mind and elevate the soul. A great guide for beginners and a meditation prop for advanced seekers.   The book Self Unfoldment written by Pujya Swami Chinmayananda is an extensive manual that elucidates the whole topic of Vedanta in simple layman’s language. The book is filled with simple examples which illustrate complex Vedantic concepts like BMI chart, Karma, Gunas, Pancha Kosha, meditation and many other topics. Every chapter ends with with a set of questions and references for further reading from the Holy Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and other Vedantic texts. The greatness of this book lies in the fact that it does not only discuss Vedantic philosophies academically but also provides real life examples of how this philosophy can be applied in real life by the aspirant to gain the ultimate happiness which is within us. Anyone who reads and absorbs the contents of this book gets a very firm footing on the spiritual path and his/her doubts vanish due to the simple handling of topics.

Anju Arora will be conducting a Self Unfoldment study group in person at the Master’s School (in Westchester) on Sunday mornings.  To understand and appreciate Vedanta better, we begin with the introductory book of Self Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda. We often underestimate the study of any introductory book, because we are familiar with a lot of the terms due to our background. It is only when we discuss and dive deeper, we realize how many questions we still have about our true nature. Join us on a deeper journey to the Inner Self.  Our Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda, expounds upn the fundamentals of Vedanta through His  lucid, exhaustive, clear, and logical language. Through the study of this book, seekers will build a strong foundation for further Vedantic study. In fact, one can even consider this book a complete manual to unfold themself and understand the true heart of Vedanta.  Book To purchase a copy of the book, please visit: https://www.chinmayapublications.com/self-unfoldment-us-edition

Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya will be conducting Vedanta Study Group online via Zoom video conferencing. The Zoom link to join the online session will be sent to registered participants.    The questions posed by Arjuna in the last two verses of the seventh chapter become the seed for the eighth chapter, ‘Akshara Brahma Yoga’. The Lord answers all of Arjuna’s questions, thus enumerating the nature of the imperishable Brahman. The essential factors such as steadfast and continuous contemplation, selfless love, healthy detachment and complete devotion have been emphasized and the path to reach the Lord is elaborated Exemplary definitions indicating the Absolute Truth are found in this chapter.   The Gita is one of the most widely translated and commented upon scriptures of the world. It is a revelation to humanity by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, a friend and disciple at a critical moment of his life.  It is a universal scripture containing various strands of teachings suited to all types of people at their stages of development.  It teaches the Supreme Goal to be attained as well as the means for attaining it. To purchase a copy of the book, please visit, (For each chapter individually) https://www.chinmayapublications.com/geetas-upanishads   (For the Holy Geeta complete with all chapters) https://www.chinmayapublications.com/bhagavad-gita-holy-geeta   This class is for seekers who have basic knowledge of Vedanta and are looking to gain a deeper understanding of the Self and their spiritual journey. Most of the students of this class have studied the previous chapters of the Bhagavad Gita. If you haven't done so or if you wish to review, please visit https://www.youtube.com/c/ChinmayaMissionNewYork/featured  for class videos.

Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya will be conducting Vedanta Study Group online via Zoom video conferencing. The Zoom link to join the online session will be sent to registered participants.    In this text, Swami Chinmayananda takes us through the thought process necessary to gain control of our inner world. In part two of this text, we will be studying the practical application of this theory of meditation. Swami Chinmayananda takes us through the concrete techniques that we can perform to start, strengthen, and maintain our sadhanas in our daily lives. Through this process, we will strengthen our ability to control our inner world and reach new depths in our spiritual progress. When meditation becomes natural to us, we truly transform, remaining calm and still amidst the dynamic and changing world.     Audience This class is for women seekers of all ages and backgrounds combining elements of discourse and discussion.  It's a safe and sacred space to explore Vedantic texts as it relates to the life of women.      Book Follow the link below to purchase book, https://www.chinmayapublications.com/meditation-and-life  

Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya will be conducting Vedanta Study Group online via Zoom video conferencing. The Zoom link to join the online session will be sent to registered participants.    In the third chapter, titled ‘Panchakosha-viveka’, Swami Vidyaranya, the author, expounds the nature of the ultimate Reality using the methodology of the analysis of the five sheaths (koshas) employed in the Taittiriya-upanishad. He enumerates in detail the nature of the five sheaths and through logic and reasoning establishes how the Self is different from the five sheaths. Swami Vidyaranya thereafter explains the essential nature of the Self to be Satyam, Jnanam and Anantam. In the final section, Swamiji analyzes the nature of Ishvara and His power of maya. It is then shown that the Self, which is the illuminator of the five sheaths, is truly the substratum of the entire world.    Book To purchase the book: https://www.amazon.com/Pancadasi-Swami-Vidyaranya/dp/8171205070      Audience This class is for those who have studied Vedantic texts and are seeking more clarity and abidance in the Self. This is an intermediate text of Vedanta. 

Mundaka Upanishad - Mundaka literally means "shaving of the head" - because its contents remove the superimposed veil of ignorance obscuring the Atman through direct and penetrating exposition of the higher knowledge like a razor removes the hair from the head. The Upanishad consists of sixty four mantras belonging to the Atharva-Veda.  Upadesha Sara - One of the most popular texts of Vedanta. It propounds the four main prevalent paths to the Truth. They are Karma Yoga (Path of Action), Bhakti Yoga (Path of Devotion), Astanga Yoga (Path of Eight-fold Yoga) and Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge).