Yajna Bhava - A Weekend Retreat with Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya

Yajna Bhava - A Weekend Retreat with Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya
May 25, 2019 9:30am to May 27, 2019 2:00pm (ended)

YAJNA BHAVA – Spirit of Sacred Offering

A Memorial Day weekend retreat with Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya at MA Center Chicago
Saturday, May 25 – Monday, May 27, 2019

The concept of sacred offering is one familiar to all spiritual traditions, and it holds an especially important place in both Amma's teachings as well as India's scriptures, where it is called yajna bhava. During this weekend retreat, we will be diving into the deeper aspects of this notion, as well as learning how to incorporate this spirit of sacred offering in our daily lives. For planning purposes, pre-registration is kindly requested. Onsite registration will be available for last-minute participants.

Important: Bring warm work clothes suitable for farm work outdoors – durable work gloves are a must!

  • Adults (over 25) $60 for the retreat and 2 nights' dorm style onsite accommodation; $40 without accommodation (includes meals and refreshments)
  • Youths (18-24) $30 for the retreat and 2 nights' dorm style onsite accommodation; $20 without accommodation (includes meals and refreshments)
  • Children (8 - 17) $15 for the retreat and 2 nights' dorm style onsite accommodation; $10 without accommodation (includes meals and refreshments). Children under 8 attend for free.
  • Family Packages (2 adults and 2 youth) $155 for the retreat and 2 nights' dorm style onsite accommodation; $125 for 2 adults and 1 youth (includes meals and refreshments)

Mode of Payment: PayPal or personal check made out to: MA Center Chicago, with ‘Yajna Bhava’ noted. Click here to pay for Yajna Bhava Retreat.  Please forward PayPal receipt to chicago@macenters.org. If paying by check, mail to: MA Center Chicago, 4W501 Keslinger Rd, Elburn, IL 60119, Attn: MACC Yajna Bhava.

Learn more..Click here for Yajna Bhava event flyer

Retreat Schedule:

Saturday

9:30-10:00 - Registration
10:00-10.30 – Introductory talk by Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya on the divine nature of seva
10:30-12:30 - SEVA
12:30-1:15 – Lunch 
1:15-1:30 - Short talk by Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya
1:30-4:00 - SEVA
4:00-4:30 – Tea/Snacks
4:30-5:00 - Break
5:00-6:00 - Archana
6:00-6:45 - Satsang talk on the Spirit of Sacred Offering by Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya
6:45-7:45 – Bhajans
7:45-8:15 – Arati, Meditation, Prasadam
8:15-9:15 - Dinner
9:15-9:30 - Debrief for the day/preparatory remarks for Sunday

Sunday

6:00-7:00 – Archana
7:00-7:15 – Ayi Giri Nandini
7:15-7:45 - Tea
7:45-8:30 - IAM (meditation session)
8:30-9:15 – Breakfast
9:15-9:45 – Short talk by Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya
9:45-12:30 - SEVA
12:30-1:15 – Lunch
1:15-1:30 - Short talk by Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya
1:30-4:00 - SEVA
4:00-4:30 – Tea/Snacks
4:30-5:00 - Break
5:00-7:00 - Seva
7:00-8:30 – Gita Class, Q&A
8:30-8:45 – Arati, Meditation, Prasadam
8:45-9:30 - Dinner

Monday

6:00-7:00 – Archana
7:00-7:15 – Ayi Giri Nandini
7:15-7:45 - Tea
7:45-8:30 - IAM (meditation session)
8:30-9:15 – Breakfast
9:15-9:45 – Short talk by Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya
9:45-12:30 - SEVA
12:30-1:30 – Lunch
1:30-2:00 – Closing talk by Br. Shantamrita Chaitanya

Friday
Mar
29
A Multi-Day Event
Ready to register? Click here to sign up. Start spring with a 3-day spiritual retreat hosted by AYUDH Chicago at the MA Center Chicago ashram located at 41W501 Keslinger Rd, Elburn, IL 60119 The AYUDH Midwest Meet includes several hands-on... more ›
Saturday
Mar
30
4:00pm - 5:00pm
"A river that flows through many branches will not have a powerful current. If the branches are redirected and the river is redirected to flow only through the main stream, the force of the current will increase greatly. It may even be possible to generate electricity from such a strong current.... more ›
Saturday
Mar
30
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Join us Saturday for satsang, starting with group archana at 4PM CT, followed by bhajans, arati, and meditation from 5PM onward.  Masking is now recommended in group gatherings and spaces at MA Center Chicago. Keeping the health and safety of all who wish to attend uppermost in our minds, please... more ›
Sunday
Mar
31
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Join us for a group viewing of a Rama television series in the MA Center Chicago satsang hall every Sunday at 2 pm CT (except the first Sunday of every month, which is dedicated to... more ›
Saturday
Apr
06
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Get Growing Book Club 2024, sponsored by MACC GreenFriends: Learn How to Grow Organic Vegetables Easily and Successfully “Each family should plant a vegetable garden that can provide food for at least one day per month. Even apartment residents can grow vegetables in window boxes and on terraces... more ›
Saturday
Apr
06
2:00pm - 3:00pm
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 pm to 3 pm via Zoom to explore Amma’s books and books written by Amma's senior disciples. All are welcome to attend... more ›
Saturday
Apr
06
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Amrita Bala Kendra (ABK) passes on Amma’s teachings to children through fun and engaging activities such as stories, bhajans, arts and crafts, celebration of festivals and service projects. ABK focuses on values, multi cultural traditions, and spiritual practices.  ABK is held in-person in the MA... more ›
Saturday
Apr
06
4:00pm - 5:00pm
"A river that flows through many branches will not have a powerful current. If the branches are redirected and the river is redirected to flow only through the main stream, the force of the current will increase greatly. It may even be possible to generate electricity from such a strong current.... more ›
Saturday
Apr
06
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Join us Saturday for satsang, starting with group archana at 4PM CT, followed by bhajans, arati, and meditation from 5PM onward.  Masking is now recommended in group gatherings and spaces at MA Center Chicago. Keeping the health and safety of all who wish to attend uppermost in our minds, please... more ›
Sunday
Apr
07
8:00am - 2:00pm
Inspired by Amma's teachings, Mother’s Kitchen groups in North America prepare, cook and serve 150,000 meals for the homeless and hungry each year. At MA Center Chicago, on the first Sunday of every month, we prepare food in the MACC kitchen starting at 8AM and then serve it at a local shelter. If... more ›

Our daily spiritual practices include:

WHITE FLOWER MEDITATION
Daily* at 6:00 pm

Amma requests everyone to regularly practice this meditation once or twice a day for the benefit of the entire world. Join us every evening (except Satsang days, which are generally every Saturday) for Amma's White Flower Meditation via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85858112151?pwd=SVllVHVZS1BIU050Uy8xRHpqcUZpQT09

Meeting ID: 858 5811 2151

Passcode: 549947
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,85858112151# US (Chicago)
+13092053325,,85858112151# US

The White Flower meditation at 6 pm CT is preceded by a 10-minute silent Ma Om meditation, so please feel free to join the Zoom early (at 5:50 pm CT) to participate.

A photo of the MA Center Chicago altar, including Amma's picture

EVENING BHAJANS
Daily* at 6:30 pm (in-person only)

  • Guru Stotram Chanting
  • Bhajans (devotional singing)
  • Closing prayers and Arati