Adult Study Groups

The most important followup measure of the Gnana Yagnas is the Study Group program. The basic concept of the Study Group is to study the scriptures by those who have curiosity/thirst to benefit from the perennial wisdom of the Rishis.

A group of 1O- 15 like minded people get together at a place, time and day mutually agreed upon for 90 minutes a week for a systematic study of the scriptural texts prescribed in the Study Group Scheme by Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda after testing its validity over several years.

What is read or heard, in order to take root, must be thought over (tat chintanam). The test of clear thinking is in the ability to express our thoughts clearly (tat kathanam). Again, whether our understanding is right and proper, is brought out in the rational and mutual discussion of the Study Group members (anyonya prabodhanam) Thus, to the sincere and diigent student, the Study Group technique provides an oportunity and a forum for gaining a deep and quck perspective of our scriptures. The forum, in the Sat Sangh atmosphere, also fosters and develops brotherly understanding amongst the members and strengthens the "One Family" concept.

Each Study Group member will be alloted a portion in the text. During the subsequent class the Sevak would summarize briefly the proceedings of the last class and request the allotted member to offer his contributions. After the member has finished his contributions/raised questions, the Sevak would request other members for their suplementary contributions on the topic under discussion as also answers to questions raised. Repetition of stanzas and word meanings given in the text under study is essential to become familiar with Sanskrit verses. After the contributions are over, the Sevak, as a member of the class could also make his contributions. Repetitions are to be avoided. After the 90 minutes of class time, the Sevak should punctually close the class with the recitation of the Pledge by all and quietly dispurse with "Hari Om". By following the procedure with sincerity and enthusiasm, members would get the cream of wisdom of the text under study by the technique of cooperative thinking.

More than a thousand Study Groups function under the guidance of Chinmaya Mission Centers around the world.

Scheme of Studies

Outlined below is a three year "Study Scheme", half an hour a day, listing the order in which the books should be studied. This play systematically builds up, step by step, the fundamentals of Vedanta and provides a firm foundation for the student.

Book	First reading per day
Kindle Life	10 pages
Manual of Self-Unfoldment	10 pages
Bhaja Govindam	4 stanzas
Atma Bodh	3 stanzas
Art of Man-Making (Geeta Talks)	12 pages
Vivekachudamani (1-200 stanzas)	4 stanzas
Meditation and Life	1 chapter
Narada Bhakti Sutras	5 sutras
Geeta Introduction	10 pages
We Must	10 pages
Kenopanishad	2 mantras
Geeta Chapters 1,2,&3	3-5 stanzas
Vivekachudamani (201-300 stanzas)	4 stanzas
Kathopanishad	2 mantras
Dakshinamoorthi Stotram	2 mantras
Geeta Chapters 4,5,&6	3-5 stanzas
Isavasyopanishad	3 mantras
Geeta Chapters 7,8,&9	3-5 stanzas
Mundakopanishad	2 mantras
Geeta Chapters 10 & 11	3-5 stanzas
Kaivalyopanishad	2 mantras
Vivekachudamani (301-583)	4 stanzas
Purusha Sooktam	4 sooktas
Geeta Chapter 12	3-5 stanzas
Taittiriyopanishad	2 mantras
Hymn to Badrinath	5 stanzas
Geeta Chapters 13,14,&15	3-5 stanzas
Aitareyopanishad	2 mantras
Geeta Chapters 16&17	3-5 stanzas
Prashnopanishad	2 mantras
Geeta Chapter 18	3-5 stanzas
Iswara Darshan (Tapovanam)	1 chapter
All Geeta Chapters 1-18	5-10 stanzas
Ashtavakra Geeta	3 verses
Mandukya and Karika	2 mantras and read times as you cana

 

If you are interested in participating, there are lot of study groups are meeting at various locations. Please inquire to find out about one near to you.