Our Leadership
Swami Sarveshananda, National Director of CHYK West
Formerly known as Bramhachari Uddhav Chaitanya, our acharya Swami Sarveshananda was bestowed Sanyasa Diksha (order of renunciation) by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri (March 03, 2011).
Inspired by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Sarveshananda joined the Vedanta Course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai in 1993. After completing the course in 1995, he was initiated as a Brahmachari and posted as the Resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission, Vijayawada where he served until June, 2002. Thereafter, he was appointed as the Resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission in Dallas, Texas, by Pujya Guruji, Swami Tejomayananda.
Swami Sarveshananda is also the National Director of Chinmaya Mission Yuva Kendra (CHYK) West, the youth wing of Chinmaya Mission West. CHYK West manages CHYK chapters all across North America including West Indies. CHYK West aims to increase spiritual awareness among youth and young adults (18 – 35 years) so that they live life purposefully – with a clear and noble personal vision and an attitude of service to the community. Swami Sarveshananda was himself a CHYK while growing up in India, and received direct guidance from Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Swami Sarveshananda works tirelessly to spread the wisdom of Vedanta through retreats, workshops, camps and innovative youth programs that inspire young people. Swami Sarveshananda has touched many lives through his service, dedication and loving presence. He is popular with children and youth because of his ability to connect with young minds.
Swami Sarveshananda’s weekly schedule includes conducting satsangs, study groups, Devi groups, and Bala Vihar sessions. Additionally, Swami Sarveshananda holds other events at the mission such as training sessions, annual camps, picnics, walkathons, and the popular lock-ins for children. He is also frequently invited by Chinmaya Mission centers all around the country to conduct Jnana yajnas and annual camps. In spite of a demanding schedule, Swami Sarveshananda is never too busy to bring cheer to little child, guide a restless teenager or joke with volunteers to light up their day. Swami Sarveshananda handles his busy workload with a smile. His calm demeanor and easy-going nature puts everyone at ease. He advises, “Walking the spiritual path is not easy, but it’s worth it. An ounce of effort makes a world of difference to us and the world around us.”
Click to see Swami Sarveshananda’s schedule
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Acharya Vivek, Deputy Director of CHYK West
Having experienced much of what the world has to offer, from studying at the Ivey School of Business, to traveling to over 45 countries, Vivek Gupta sought more. Tired of the inconsistent peace attached to extroverted pursuits, he decided to say enough and turned his journey within.
In 2005, the young college graduate was accepted to the intensive two-year Vedanta Course at Chinmaya Mission Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai, India. Under the guidance of Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, he studied the Upanishads, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Ramacharitramanasa, Sanskrit, Vedic chanting, and much more. Blessed to have joined the group of ‘Sandeepany’ graduates, Acharya Vivekji says now his only purpose in life is to make others aware of what is the purpose of life: to be unconditionally happy.
Through his innovative and passionate style, Vivekji makes the ancient wisdom of Vedanta relevant, reachable, and applicable. Inspired by the fact that he is a young adult, and that he was born and raised in Canada, Vivekji has been invited to share his insights, and conduct classes and camps, by Mission centers and other organizations throughout North America. In 2011, Vivekji was appointed as the Deputy Director of CHYK West.
Click to see Acharya Vivek’s schedule
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