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| Library At Chinmaya Maruti - A Precious Resource |
Shobha Ramapriya
07/19/2011
It all began when the Satsangs were taking place at the Lawrence Technical School during the time of construction of Chinmaya Mission Boston's second phase in the year 2009.
Lakshmi Durvasula, the facilities team leader approached a few volunteers to help her out set up the library.
Work began in sincere earnest. Volunteers got together and began clearing the area which was partly former Acharya's office and partly a storage area. Inventory of the existing books were taken a couple of times as books from all corners kept pouring in.
It was then that Julie Hawks, with an MLS on hand and working in computer software as a quality assurance engineer helped set up the entire system on line. “What made me volunteer at CM, I really can't say. I like to commune with God wherever I find him or her. When I visited CM, everyone was very warm and welcoming. So of course when the team was looking for help with the library I wanted to join in for the companionship."
Julie Hawks, is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Religious Studies at UNCC. “You all made me feel part of your family. And now, even though we are many miles apart, you all are in my heart.†Julie keeps in touch with the team and is always there to help out.
MISSION STATEMENT:
To provide to individuals, from any background, the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become positive contributors to society.
The Chinmaya Maurti Library offers a wonderful collection that promotes life-long learning. As a valued Cultural Center of the community, the Chinmaya Maurti Library grants access to a variety of literature and materials to satisfy the diverse educational and philosophical interests.
Library Hours: Sunday 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
We may open during week day evenings starting Sept. 2011.
How to Obtain Chinmaya Maruti Library Card:
• The Library will provide two cards per family (for adult members of the Chinmaya Mission Boston). Each parent should have an individual card for borrowing books.
• Non Chinmaya Mission members can become members of the Maruti Library with a nominal contribution or purchasing books and other items from the book store.
• Graduating students from Chinmaya Balvihar Program will be provided a library card with a note from their Balvihar teacher.
Library Card Usage:
• Each member is allowed to bring four books home.
• As of now the Library has a restricted section of media, including children’s books, CD’s and DVD’s that can be used only within the library. The Library has two TV’s with head phones.
• By Sept. there is a plan to checkout Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda's video tapes on the Gita.
People travelling from a long distance will be able to check out the items for four weeks.
A Library Book drop donated by Home Depot, Tewksbury, will be placed in the Lobby for patrons to drop off the books during the Temple hours when the Library is closed. This will enable more options to the patrons and helps the library to continue and provide services to the Greater Boston community.
Swami Shantananda, a direct disciple of S. Chinmayananda and currently in charge of the Tri-State has mentored the Team in the selection of the books.
The Library is looking forward for Donations of Books especially in different languages on Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavatam, Vedanta and Uanishads.
Lakshmi Durvasula, CM Library Team Leader expresses, “it is my privilege and honor to volunteer at Chinmaya Maruti library"
The very first Library card was given to Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, the current spiritual leader of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide. When he visited the CM Library during the inauguration of the 2nd phase of the building. Impressed by the functions of the Library, ‘Good, I can now check out my books,†he added in good humor.
"I like coming to the CM Library because it is always so quiet and peaceful; I can easily concentrate on whatever book I'm reading. Also, there are so many books and Amar Chitra kathas to choose from. The library is a great place." Sneha Rao, Age 13 – Lexington
I have always wanted to do my little part in being of some service to others. Luckily the library at Chinmaya mission is a great place to volunteer. I love to read and being in the library and help arrange the books make me happy as I feel I am doing my little part. " Soumya Ram, Age 12 - Lexington
"I like to help in the Library because I love books. I think helping in the Library is equal to helping all the people who use the Library" - Shreyas Mosurkal - Age 9 - Lowell
As the library continues to grow and become more established as a philosophical library, team members truly appreciate the work of all the volunteers who helped set up the library.
Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda in His letter dated 9th Sept 1985, wrote to Shobha Ramapriya, a Library Team Member:
"Get the books
1. Manual of Self Unfoldment
2. I Love You
3. Man Making
Study them thoroughly. Think for your self upon these ideas.â€
“How did Gurudev know that sometime a library like this would be set up in the New England Area to help many others? Miracles happen. Don’t you agree?â€
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A section of the Epics, Chants, Mananam (reflection) and books related to other Vedanta Missions.
Balavihar children, enjoying the CM Library.
The Children’s Section.
Sudershan Arora and his daughter Tina from Northborough, browsing through the Gita and the Vedanta books.
Julie Hawks, issuing a Library card to Sudhir and Niru Parikh of Georgetown, NH, associated with Chinmaya Mission Boston since early 1980’s.
Lakshmi Durvasula and Shobha Ramapriya with Swami Shantanandaji, of Tri-State Chinmaya Mission.
Swami Shantananda ji helping Shobha Ramapriya understand a paragraph from the Bhagavad Gita, A Ready Rreference Guide. Commentary by Swami Chinmayananda.
Shobha Ramapriya serving Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, Br. Pavitraji and others at Malathy and Gopal Sharma’s residence in Andover, circa 1985.