Regular Classes & Programs

MA Center Chicago offers several classes, programs, and events on a regular basis:

• Amrita Bala Kendra 
• Amrita Book Club of North America
• Amrita Kirtan Class
• Archana Class
• AYUDH 
• Bhagavad Gita Class
• Daily group spiritual practice/sadhana opportunities (meditation, chanting, and bhajans)
• Guided Integrated IAM Meditation sessions
• Mother's Kitchen Volunteer opportunities
• Karma Yoga program
• Karthika (Amma's birth star)
• Volunteer or Seva/Selfless Service opportunities

Generally, information about these events and programs is shared in our weekly newsletter. To sign up to receive it, click here.  

Amrita Bala Kendra, or ABK, is generally held every Saturday in the South Lodge ABK Room from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm. ABK is structured to teach spiritual values to children through the application of Amma's teachings. Classes include fun and engaging educational activities such as stories, games, music, and arts and crafts. ABK is open to children ages 4 -14. For more information, email macc.abk@macenters.org or contact Lorena (312-978-0499).

The Amrita Book Club of North America gives participants an opportunity to dive more deeply into Amma’s teachings. The club meets twice a month on the first and third Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the South Lodge Library to explore Amma’s books and books written by Amma's senior disciples. All are welcome to attend, even if you do not own a copy of the book being studied. For more information, contact Punya at lynnehandler@gmail.com or 262-853-1143. 

Amrita Kirtan Class is offered for those who wish to learn bhajans and study devotional songs. Amma says, "Bhajans are prayers in the form of songs, rich in meaning and full of devotional content." The class is open to singers of all levels and typically meets on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 2:30 pm to 3:45 pm in the South Lodge Community Hall. For more information, contact Sindhu at mac.sind@macenters.org or 312-401-7512.

AYUDH is the youth wing of Embracing the World®, the global network of charitable activities inspired by Amma. It is an international youth movement dedicated to empowering young people to contribute to a peaceful and sustainable world and become compassionate leaders with a sense of tolerance, solidarity, and global responsibility. The AYUDH Chicago group meets on second and fourth Saturdays of every month from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. For more information, contact Raman at AYUDHChicago.Liaison@gmail.com or 224-430-3199.

Bhagavad Gita Class with Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya is held Thursdays from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm when he is at MA Center Chicago. Amma says that the Bhagavad Gita is a "celestial song that awakens the sleeping soul." There is no fee for this class. A short guided meditation, led by Swamiji, follows each session. For more information or to sign up for class notices, email macenterchicago@ammagroups.org.

Daily group spiritual practices/sadhana activities are as follows:

5:50 pm: Ma-Om Meditation (10 minutes), followed by a guided Amma's White Flower Meditation
6:30 pm: Chanting and bhajans, followed by closing prayers, arati, and prasad

A Guided IAM-35 Meditation Session is generally held every Saturday from 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm ivia Zoom. The Integrated Amrita Meditation technique, or IAM-35, takes just 35 minutes and releases stress, preparing you to go into a deep meditative state. Experience the deep peace of IAM during this free certified instructor-led guided IAM 35 session. This session is open to IAM 35 course graduates only. Contact Chidroop (Clive) at chidroop108@gmail.com or 908-672-7412 for more information.

Mother's Kitchen provides meals for individuals and families in need. On the first Sunday of every month, an MA Center Chicago volunteer team prepares and serves food at a local shelter. For more information about how you can join the team of MA Center Chicago volunteers, contact Meetali (deshpande.meetali@gmail.com or 630-677-5939) or Sangeeta (sripadajoshi@yahoo.com or 630-803-0984).

The Amrita Karma Yoga Program was established to create an opportunity for individuals to practice Amma’s teachings of spiritual growth through selfless service. At MA Center Chicago, Karma Yogis are immersed in an environment where they can deepen their spiritual practices and their connection to the community by participating in the ashram’s daily routines and supporting Amma’s charitable activities (known collectively as Embracing the World®). For more information about our Karma Yoga program, click here. 

Karthika (Amma's birth star) is celebrated once a month at MA Center Chicago in the satsang hall. A monthly birthday is traditionally observed in India based on the moon's position at the time of birth. The moon returns to this spot in the heavens, approximately every 28 days. Karthika is the Nakshatra - star constellation- in which the moon was transiting at the time of Amma's birth. As such every month on the day of Karthika, we celebrate Amma's birth with Amma's White Flower meditation and special Karthika chanting and bhajans. 

Volunteer or Seva/Selfless Service opportunities are available year-round at MA Center Chicago. Depending upon the time of year, we may need help preparing for Amma's MA Center Chicago programs, with our farm activities, serving the needy, and more. To read about some of our past projects, click here to visit our News page. To inquire about ongoing and upcoming volunteer opportunities, email macc.seva@macenters.org. 

If you have additional questions, or if you'd like to suggest a program, contact us at macenterchicago@ammagroups.org or 630-387-5077. Interested in a weekend retreat for spiritual reflection? Inquire about onsite accommodation at macclodging@macenters.org.