Request for Your Feedback: Balavihar Teacher Survey

Dear Bala Vihar Teacher,

You play a pivotal role in our Chinmaya Mission’s success, and your feedback is invaluable to us. We have created an anonymous survey to gather your insights, which will help us enhance the teaching environment and ensure we align with our vision and goals.

Rest assured that your responses will remain anonymous and will not be linked to your identities. Your candid feedback is crucial for us to make improvements and continue our mission effectively.

Please take a few moments to complete the survey by May 1st, 2024. Your input will guide us in shaping the upcoming year to better serve our community and fulfill our collective aspirations.

Please fill the survey questions below:

    1. How long have you been teaching at Bala Vihar? (to understand tenure & experience that shape opinion)

    years

    2. What positive aspects do you believe we are doing right in alignment with the vision and goals of Bala Vihar?

    3. What valuable feedback do you have that we can leverage to improve?

    4. Are there any specific concerns that need to be addressed or are not currently being addressed?

    5. Do you have any wishes or aspirations we should consider to enhance your experience in serving at Chinmaya? This could include ideas for additional activities in teaching the National curriculum, volunteering, or leading other study sessions.

    Thank you for your dedication and commitment to Chinmaya Mission. We look forward to your feedback and suggestions.

    In Chinmaya Seva,
    Shyam & Veena
    Your Bala Vihar Coordinators

    Trinidad Trip Pre Registration

    Swami Prakashanandaji’s visit in April 2024 brought an exciting invitation for us to journey together to Trinidad in November 2025, coinciding with Thanksgiving week. This is an incredible opportunity!

    Trinidad, often dubbed the gem of the southern Caribbean, awaits us with its captivating beaches, ancient temples, and thrilling adventures. Join us for a group expedition where we’ll delve into new experiences, expand our horizons, and absorb knowledge that promises an unforgettable journey.

    Our itinerary, which you can help plan by joining our team early, will be packed with visits to revered pilgrimage sites such as the “Temple in the Sea,” the towering 85-foot Hanumanji statue, and the serene Chinmaya ashram & Vidyalaya. These historical marvels not only offer breathtaking views but also narratives to ponder upon and insights to absorb.

    As a finale to our adventure, we’ll trek up Tapovanam Hill, winding through the rainforest to reach the ashram at its peak. Traveling in Jeeps and pickup trucks, we’ll relish an incredible vista and experience.

    With numerous sights to behold, ample moments for reflection, and a plethora of activities to engage in, this trip promises to be enriching in every way! As a crowning glory, Swami Prakashanandaji has offered to be there throughout the trip, conducting one Vedanta class in the morning and a Ramayana session in the evening for our spiritual upliftment.

    To secure your spot, please complete the pre-registration process and submit an initial fee of $200 per person. Upon finalizing the trip’s planning, the remaining amount of $600 per person (totaling $800 per person) will be due. This fee encompasses accommodation, meals, and local transportation throughout the trip. Airfare is not included; you may choose to book your flights separately or explore group rate options with us.

      Name:

      Email:

      Cell:

      Chinmaya Mission Center:

      Number of people travelling with you:

      Please Zelle this amount shown to "accounts@cmportland.org" and email the screen print to confirm your registration.

      Flavors of India: Culinary Extravaganza 5-Course Feast for 4

      What: $60 Meal Package Serves 4
      Date & Time: Pre Order now!
      Pick up on June 8th 2024 at 5PM.
      Pick up Location: Chinmaya Haridwar” 3551 NE John Olsen Ave
      Open to all, Pre-order is required

      Back by popular demand! Pre-order the Spice Symphony now—a gastronomic journey through five divine courses of Indian cuisine! You’ve experienced the rest; now savor the best! Order online before pre-orders close!

      June is alive with celebrations, including graduations, World Environment Day, Father’s Day, Pride Month, and Juneteenth—there’s no shortage of festivities! Share these special moments with loved ones and enrich your experience by pre-ordering a five-course Indian cuisine feast today!

      Preorders will close when we reach capacity – or – in:
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      Please choose the number of packages (each serves 4):

      Appetizer: Onion Pakoda Experience the crispy allure of our Onion Pakora! Thinly sliced onions, enveloped in a flavorful batter and fried to golden perfection, deliver a crunchy burst of Indian spices in every bite. A savory sensation that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.
      Dessert: Pineapple Kesari Indulge in the tropical bliss of our Pineapple Kesari! A luscious blend of fragrant semolina, sweet pineapple chunks, and aromatic spices, cooked to creamy perfection. Each spoonful is a delightful journey to paradise, capturing the essence of sunshine in every bite.
      Salad: Raita Cool and refreshing, raita or yogurt infusion delight is a creamy yogurt-based dip infused with aromatic spices and crisp, fresh vegetables
      Bread: Chapatis Soft, wholesome Indian flatbread, Chapati is the perfect companion to your favorite curries and dishes.
      Rice: Vegetable Biriyani Savor the rich flavors of our Vegetable Biryani, a tantalizing blend of aromatic spices and fresh vegetables, cooked to perfection for a delightful dining experience that’s both wholesome and satisfying!
      Entrees: Paneer Butter Masala Creamy tomato gravy enveloping tender paneer cubes, Paneer Butter Masala is a North Indian delight bursting with rich flavors and comforting textures.
      Mixed Vegetable Kurma Discover a symphony of flavors with our Vegetable Kurma! Tender vegetables simmered in a creamy, aromatic sauce infused with exotic spices. A harmonious blend of taste and texture that promises a culinary journey to delight your senses.



      Transforming Finite Contributions into an Infinite Impact

      Give in plenty, with both hands give”
      – Swami Chimayananda – Discourses on Taittiriya Upanisad

      In 2023, we celebrated the joyous 10th anniversary of Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda’s blessing bestowed upon our center, gracing it with the sacred name ‘Chinmaya Haridwar’. Join us in celebrating 10 Years of unity, growth, and community! May 8th, 2024 marks the 108th birth anniversary of our most beloved Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.. On this momentous occasion we’re reaching out to you, our valued supporter, with an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact.

      Why is your contribution to Chinmaya Mission Portland (CMP) so vital? Because it goes beyond a simple donation. It’s a statement of your commitment to growing our Chinmaya family and a tangible expression of your belief in the power of collective giving. Join hands with us to create a debt-free community space! Contribute today to pay off the loan on our beloved center and ensure a brighter, more secure future for us all.

      Since 1996, nearly a hundred Bala Vihar children have graduated from Chinmaya Mission Portland. We stand prominently as a pillar in this community. Our commitment shines through the ongoing dedication of our Bala Vihar students. They immerse themselves in preparing weekly meals for the homeless shelter, organizing quarterly street cleanups, spearheading impactful environmental awareness programs, and offering free English tutoring for immigrant families, just to highlight a few of our community activities.

      Together let us honor Chinmaya Hardwar’s decade-long journey, and support our cause: ‘Vedanta in Action: Celebrate 10 years of Chinmaya Haridwar‘ Let’s harness the collective power of our sankalpa to raise $500,000 to make our facility debt-free as an offering to Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda on His 108th birth anniversary.

      Here’s how you can participate and make a difference:

      1. Create a Fundraising Challenge today:

      Consider setting up a personal ‘Vedanta In Action: Celebrating 10 years of Chinmaya Haridwar‘ fundraising challenge. Don’t know how to get started? We’ve got everything set up for you, just go through the steps mentioned below to get started fast – 1-2-3!

      1 Go to “JustGiving” page and set up your user account.
      2 Click here Create your own fundraising page! Suggested choices below to get started fast.
      * Are you fundraising in the memory of someone? “No”
      * Are you taking part in an activity? “Just fundraising”
      * Are you fundraising for an occasion? “Skip this question”
      * How much would you like to raise? Type your target, Aim High as Gurudev says!
      * Optionally, personalize your page
      3 Kick off your fundraiser page! Bookmark the page so that you can send it to your friends & family, update the offline donations you collected and watch your campaign grow!

      2. Share Your Giving Story:

      Join us in spreading the spirit of giving! Share on social media why you support Chinmaya Mission Portland and encourage your friends and followers to join you in making a change for the sake of the community we serve. Use the hashtag #Haridwar10 #Gurudev108 #VedantaInAction #ChinmayaMissionPortland to be part of the conversation.

      Challenge your network to match your donation or beat your contribution amount. Together, we can turn individual acts of kindness into a collective force for good.

      Your support for Chinmaya Mission Portland is not just a donation; it’s an investment in the positive transformation it brings to individuals’ lives, the promotion of spiritual and cultural values, and its contributions to the well-being of communities. We believe in the power of collective giving to bring about meaningful change, and we’re grateful to have you as part of our community.

      Let’s make 2024 a celebration of generosity and positive change.

      Re-Start Your Career – workshop

      Location: Chinmaya Haridwar” 3551 NE John Olsen Ave
      Signup Required

      We all are on this adulting and career journey together, but all of our journeys look different. Likewise, our success will look different.

      Hari OM!

      The Pacific Phoenixes Career Restart Program by Women in Big Data is tailored to empower women aiming to re-enter the workforce following a career break or transition into the technology industry.

      Please sign the waiver below for in-person meetings and workshops conducted for the above program at the Chinmaya Mission Portland facility.

       

        Name *

        Email *

        Mobile *

        Waiver and Release

        In consideration of my family’s participation in the above program, I hereby, for myself and my family, waive and release Chinmaya Mission and its officers, trustees, volunteers, and participants, and all other persons participating in the program, or involved in planning or execution of the program, from all liability or claims arising from any injury to myself, my family or my property. This release shall include, without limitation, all claims for negligence, and shall exclude only claims for willful injury, which exclusion for willful shall extend only to the person committing willful injury and not to any other person. I assert that my family’s participation in Chinmaya Mission activities is voluntary and that I knowingly assume all risks associated, whether such risks are known or unknown to me at this time. I hereby give permission for my family to have their picture/video taken while participating in activities associated with Chinmaya Mission. Said pictures/videos become the sole property of Chinmaya Mission and will be used only for recruiting/information-sharing purposes.

        Gurudev Jayanti, Graduation & Mother’s day 05/12/2024 9:20AM-1:30PM

        Date & Time: May 12, 2024, & 9:20 AM PT
        Location: Chinmaya Haridwar” 3551 NE John Olsen Ave
        Free & Open to all, Signup required to attend

        Hari OM!

         

        Mother’s day always has been a big day of celebrations at Chinmaya Haridwar! We celebrate the graduation of our 12th graders on that day with a traditional Paduka Pooja conducted by them to honor and celebrate Pujya Gurudev’s birthday. Please come and participate in the festivities and bless our graduates. Most of them are “lifers” of our Balavihar, listen to their testimonies on how Balavihar education helped in their personality development. This is followed by lunch cooked and served by our men in honor of their wives and mothers because it is Mother’s day!

        The puja of the Guru’s sandals is an expression of our devotion to the Truth that Gurudev symbolized. A Guru stands on his sandals (padukas) and also on the strength of his wisdom. So traditionally the worship of guru-paduka has been an adoration of spiritual wisdom. Paduka Puja is an effective sadhana (spiritual practice) to purify our minds.

        Please RSVP below. Please feel free to bring your family and friends with accurate RSVP numbers.

          Name *

          Email Address *

          Mobile Number *

          Number of People *

          Love Thyself – by Shri Vivek Gupta May 16-19, 2024

          Topic: “Love Thyself – Balancing Self-Care & Societal Well-Being”
          Location: Chinmaya Haridwar
          3551 NE John Olsen Ave
          Dates: Sessions: Add to Calendar:
          May 16, 2024 Session 1 7:00-8:30 PM PT
          May 17, 2024 Session 2 7:00-8:30 PM PT
          May 18, 2024 Session 3 6:00-7:30 PM PT
          May 19, 2024 Session 4 6:00-7:30 PM PT
          Free & Open to all

           

          About the topic:

          Join us for an insightful workshop centered around the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, focusing on the practical art of disciplining actions, words, and thoughts for greater acceptance and adaptability. As caregivers or recipients of care, mastering the skills of acceptance and adaptation is crucial. How can we joyfully offer care while honing these essential qualities? Discover the keys to disciplining your thoughts and actions in this transformative workshop.

          About the speaker:

          Recognized as a contemporary spiritual teacher, Shri Vivek Gupta invites individuals of all ages to embark on lives filled with purpose and independent joy. Over the past fifteen years, Vivekji’s unique combination of formal monastic training and insightful life experiences has rendered philosophy accessible and pertinent across diverse cultures and generations.

          Continuing to disseminate his profound insights on a unifying and universal vision, Vivekji conducts weekly courses, interactive workshops, and international retreats. Additionally, as a trained Hindu chaplain, he has delivered speeches at prestigious venues such as the Pentagon, Amazon, Intel, and numerous universities throughout the United States and Canada, including Boston University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Case Western University.