Website FAQ’s:
1. What is the Event schedule?
| Adults & Children (grade 8+) | Children (KG – 7) | |
| Sat, Nov 25, 2023 | ||
| 7:45 AM | Arrival & settle down (onsite parking) | |
| 8-8:30 AM | Guided Meditation (doors closed; phone silent) | Session 1 |
| 8:30-9 AM | Chai, Snacks and Q&A | |
| 9-9:30 AM | Discourse Session #1 | Snack Break |
| 9:30-10 AM | Session 2 | |
| 10-10:30 AM | Q&A and Break | |
| 10:30-11 AM | Discourse Session #2 | Snack Break |
| 11-11:30 AM | Session 3 | |
| 11:30 AM-Noon | Q&A and Aarti | |
| Noon-1PM | Lunch and wrap up | |
| Sun, Nov, 26, 2023 | ||
| 7:45 AM | Arrival & settle down (onsite parking) | |
| 8-8:30 AM | Guided Meditation (doors closed; phone silent) | Session 4 |
| 8:30-9 AM | Chai, Snacks and Q&A | |
| 9-9:30 AM | Discourse Session #3 | Snack Break |
| 9:30-10 AM | Session 5 | |
| 10-10:30 AM | Q&A and Break | |
| 10:30-11 AM | Discourse Session #4 | Snack Break |
| 11-11:30 AM | Session 6 | |
| 11:30 AM-Noon | Q&A and Aarti | |
| Noon-1PM | Lunch and wrap up | |
3. Do I need to be a Chinmaya Mission member to attend this retreat?
”My Guru My Guide” family retreat is OPEN to all. Please spread the word and invite your friends and family outside of Chinmaya Mission. No prior background in Vedanta is needed to attend this event.
3. What meals will be provided?
The cost of registration includes chai, snacks and lunch. All food served will be vegetarian and nut free. There will be no breakfast.
4. What do I need for this retreat?
Required
- Notebook and pen / pencil to take notes during the discourse
- Water bottle (for adults and children) to keep yourself hydrated
Optional
- Meditation mat / cushion
5. Where can I park?
There is plenty of onsite free parking available at the Bahai center.
6. My child is less than 5 years old. Can they attend the workshop?
Unfortunately no. You will need to make alternate arrangements for your child if they are younger than five. The children’s workshop is for children in Kindergarten through Grade 7. Children in Grades 8 and higher can attend the Discourse with the adults.
7. Are there opportunities to offer seva / service in this retreat?
Most certainly this is a wonderful opportunity to come together to make a memorable retreat for all! Seva opportunities include set-up (during 7-7:45AM), serving lunch and snacks, and clean up (12:45 – 1:15 PM). If interested, please contact Vasavi @ (425) 753-8238 or Sujatha @ (617) 538-4439.
8. Is there a specific text used for the discourse for Adults?
The basis for this discourse is the following Sanskrit composition by Pujya Swami Ishwarananda ji (Chinmaya Mission, Los Angeles). “Marga Darshana Dashakam; the glory of Swami Chinmayananda” expounds on the role and importance of having a spiritual guide.
9. What is the content for the Children’s workshop?
The basis for the workshop is “Janmadina-abhinandanam” which is a unique birthday greeting song composed by Pujya Swami Tejomayananda ji, Chinmaya Mission. This song in Sanskrit has a universal appeal. It applies for all, transcending age, gender, caste, nationality and religion. This expresses good wishes coming from a sincere heart. The words are simple, sweet and easy to understand. In this composition, one aspect highlighted is – the achievement of the ultimate goal. Your life in this world must be happy and joyous but you must not lose sight of the ultimate goal of human birth.
10. How can i offer Gurudakṣiṇā?