Weekly Classes for Young Adults

CHYK Austin has started a weekly young adults' group with Brahmachari Girish Chaitanya (click here for a brief description of Girishji).

Girishji is a captivating speaker and facilitator, and being a young monk, he connects easily with young adults. He studied Electrical Engineering from University of California-Davis, and Sanskrit at Universtiy of California-Berkeley. He joined Chinmaya Mission as a monk in 2002. He moved from Los Angeles last year to head the Chinmaya Mission in Austin. The youth wing of the Chinmaya Mission is Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK).

The CHYK sessions will be on Thursdays, from 7.30pm-8.30pm at one of our members' houses in the Great Hills area. We have an evite that we have set up, if you would like to be on the list, please drop an email to chykaustin@gmail.com .

Here are some FAQs to consider:

Q: What are the classes about?

The classes are an opportunity for self-reflection of our daily lives. Think of it as a stopping to take a deep breath during your hectic week. Pausing in our modern context can be quite a luxury, but it is a necessity because it gives us some perspective about where we're at - with ourselves, our family, our relationships and our work. The class is a pause in your week, where you sit down and reflect on your thoughts, words & actions. Vedanta is a criteria to assess your actions and provides a framework for understanding why you think and behave the way you do. In addition, the class has a special focus on issues pertaining to young adults such as work-life balance, career as a means of self-development, parenting, etc.

Q: How are the classes conducted?

We have facilitated discussions. Girishji generally gaves an introduction to the topic, and we ask questions directly to him about the topic and everyone in the session shares thoughts. It's not a rigid lecture format, rather an opportunity to commune and reflect as a group.

Q: What are some of the topics of discussion?

We have thus far covered the basics of Vedanta philosophy and the applicability in our daily lives. Beginning May 2009, we will start on a series of topics from the Mananam series beginning with "Values in the Workplace" which takes a look at how we can apply spirituality in the workplace.

Q: Is this religious dogma?

No. Absolutely not. Vedanta is an accommodative framework of thinking, where the Universe is seen as One, not segmented by race, color, religion, national boundaries etc. Girishji will be presenting the basics of the Vedanta school of thought, and clarifying questions as well as commonly-held beliefs about Vedanta.

Q: What is the age-group of attendees?

Approximately 25-37years.

Q: Is there a charge for the classes?

The classes are free.

Q; Do I have to attend every week? What if I miss classes?

You are not obliged to attend every week. That said, the maximum benefit comes from attending class regularly. Most of the topics will be self-contained in the class.

Q: Can I come for one class to just see if this is for me?

Absolutely! Come see if this is your cup of tea! Drop us an email today to sign up for the evite list.