Yatha vriddhim praapnuvanti tathaa yatnam karoti saha |
Sarvadaa sarvabhaavena satgurur no yatishwarah
Our noble teacher, the great ascetic, always puts forth efforts at all times and in all ways, so that these (activities and projects) grow well
Dynamic, not Restless
With age one becomes unenthusiastic, tired, not very dynamic, one wants to rest and take it easy. But, Swami Chinmayananda became more dynamic and aged gracefully. Even at 77years his youth camp had more than 600 youth in attendance.
In Swami Chinmayananda’s life we saw not only how to live in old-age, but also how to live in tapas. He said – “The Youth with their energy and enthusiasm can act and achieve but the old with their experience and tapas can sit quietly and contemplate.”
At that ripe age his body was weak, feet would become numb due to diabetes. In Geeta and Vivekachoodamani lectures there would be a blanket to keep the feet warm. In spite of all this, his mind was never affected. As he grew in age, he also became more dynamic. Not restless but More dynamic.
Efforts that he put were not for his individual evolution and growth but was for reaching out to maximum people.
“Treat the body as a sugarcane. Squeeze the last drop of juice out of it. Body is going to fall one day. Till it is there,let it be used in service of the society.”
Even in the last few years he initiated massive projects like Chinmaya International Foundation, Chinmaya International Residential School etc.
There was no moment of desperation. He never said – I have done my work. Enough. I don’t want to do more. When we are followers of such a great master, we must take up projects that are befitting HIS vision.
This exhibit features the many moods of the Master that allows the visitor to make a personal connect with Him. It allows the visitors to immerse in the various aspects of a dynamic day in the life of Swami Chinmayananda
His life was At Every Breath A Teaching. One day in Swami Chinmayananda’s life is presented here. The display of various pictures in different layers is the essence of a day in Swami Chinmayananda’s life.
Swami Chinmayananda talking about Himself
When asked to reveal a little about Himself, Swami Chinmayananda in a letter dated 11th May 1966, replied:
Blessed Self,
Om Namo Narayana. Salutations!
“I was born in Kerala, raised in the north, hardened in Punjab, softened in Uttarkashi, criticised 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 went, I earned a lot and squandered it all upon 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 many lovers and many beloveds in this country and abroad. I play the beloved to my lovers and am an enthusiastic lover to all my beloveds. We thus step ahead together and march through love towards the Lord’s palace of Bliss and Wisdom.
Your good self may meet me easily in my books or in the Pooja room of any healthy young Indian, be he a Hindu, Christian or Muslim
. White men adore me, yellow men recognise me, brown men worship me and blacks love me.
My teacher was a divinely sweet, incandescent, noble soul and I must tell you of him when you grow a bit more.
I’m sure you will try to shift your attention from me to the rishis and make your life beautiful and sublime.”
His life was At Every Breath A Teaching. One day in Swami Chinmayanan-da’s life is presented here. The display of various pictures in different layers is the essence of a day in Swami Chinmayananda’s life.
Schedule of Swami Chinmayananda
3.30am His Sadhana
4.30am His Compassion - Writing Letters & Books
5.30am His Silence - Meditation session
6:30am His Talks, Wit & Humor
8.00am His Taste
11am His Leadership
12.00 His Humility & Paduka Pooja
12.30 His Bhiksha
1.00pm His Rest
4pm His Leadership & Style
6.30pm His Expressions
8:00pm His Taste - Bhiksha
9.00pm His Play (q n a of Gurudev/culturals)
10.00pm His sleep
Design Notes
A Day in the life of Swami Chinmayananda
The visitor enters an organic space, designed to look like an earth shelter, it is cast in ferro-cement, and has undulating surfaces. A tactile and dynamic exhibit, the visitor is immersed in the presence of the Master through his photographs, writings, quotes, anecdotes and videos. The wall paper shows the time of the day and the pictures depict His schedule from morning to night. Layers of photographs are interspersed with objects used by Swami Chinmayananda in his daily life and videos of him to create a life like experience of the many aspects of his personality and his daily routine from the morning till the night. The narrative unfolds chronologically in time.