The Movement

Life is an incessant search for ways and means to avoid unhappiness. Man's efforts are all directed to this end. This being a universal truth, how is it that man still feels agitated, unhappy, insecure and incomplete, despite the progress made in science and technology?

This paradox has been the subject of the deepest investigation in this blessed land of ours. The conclusions drawn and the experiences and the sublime vision gained are enshrined in the Immortal words of the Vedas and the Scriptures, handed down from generation to generation over the ages.

Inspired by the unique lessons learnt at the Holy feet of his Guru Sri Swami Tapovan Maharaj of Uttarkashi and impelled by selfless love for humanity, Swami Chinmayananda left the lofty heights of Gangotri in May 1951 and like mother Ganga came down the plains to share his wisdom with the masses. Soon, the ever-increasing number of devotees formed the Chinmaya Mission in 1953, the nucleus of the mighty movement of spiritual renaissance. The movement now encompasses a wide range of spiritual, educational, medical, social and charitable activities ennobling the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in India and abroad irrespective of religion, caste, color or creed.

To give maximum happiness to the maximum number for the maximum time is our religion—is the Chinmaya Mission motto. Thus, it aims at uplifting the people beyond selfish, sectarian and parochial attitudes and activities.

With the number of Chinmaya Mission Centers and activities increasing all over the country, it was felt that a formal organization should be set up to co-ordinate and channelize the activities. Thus Seva Trusts and other similar organizations were founded. To co-ordinate the activities of the various Trusts and other organizations in the Chinmaya Family, Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, was registered as a Public Charitable Trust in Mumbai. Followed by Tara Cultural Trust, Chinmaya Tapovan Trust, Delhi Chinmaya Seva Trust and other such Trusts.

Improving human behavior and attitudes, by developing an interest in the Science of Vedanta: this is the goal of Poojya Swamiji. The means is to spread the message of Vedanta to every nook and comer of the country. Teaching it to interested audiences in various foreign countries is also among Swamiji's plans. To achieve these objectives Swamiji has chalked out a package of strategies. What began as a one-man effort has now become a Movement. More and more avenues of service to the people are being explored continually.

After the Mahasamadhi of Poojya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda on 3rd August1993, the mighty movement continues its manifold activities under the able guidance of Swami Tejomayananda, the present Head of the Mission to fulfill the vision of the Master.