About Us

MA Center Chicago

MA Center Chicago is located in a far west suburb of Chicago, Elburn, Illinois. Situated on more than 140 serene acres, MA Center Chicago was inaugurated in 2012 and serves as the midwest hub of charitable, educational, and spiritual activities for Embracing the World, the collective of charitable and humanitarian initiatives inspired by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, affectionately known as Amma all over the world. MA Center Chicago regularly conducts spiritual programs including spiritual talks, yoga and scriptural classes, meditation sessions, and selfless service projects.

ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY
MA Center Chicago is home to a group of residents and the spiritual home for hundreds of people from the greater Chicagoland area. On Saturdays, the community comes together to participate in service projects and attend programs. The community also participates in special events throughout the year, including spiritual retreats, environmental projects, and holiday celebrations.

AMMA'S VISITS
The natural setting, facilities, and proximity to Chicago-area airports make MA Center Chicago an ideal place to meet Amma. Before Covid, visitors came from all over the United States and the world to attend Amma's summer programs at the Center. In the months before Amma's visit there is always much excitement as volunteers prepare to receive Amma. All of the preparations are done by volunteers.

CARING FOR NATURE
MA Center Chicago is home to organic herb and vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, waterways, and native prairie. The diversity of habitats surrounding the center supports a wide variety of plant and animal species. The center is committed to putting Amma's teachings on caring for nature into practice and strives to be a model of environmental sustainability. To that end, MA Center Chicago has a comprehensive recycling program, composts, and conducts regular environmental programs and projects throughout the year. 

GET INVOLVED
Saturday programs are the best way to experience all MA Center Chicago has to offer. Saturday mornings typically start with seva projects (selfless service) related to maintaining the lush ashram grounds or to prepare for upcoming programs. Contact macc.seva@macenters.org to learn more or view and sign up for seva here.

For those who would like to immerse themselves in ashram life, overnight stays can be arranged by contacting our accommodations team at macclodging@macenters.org. Service-oriented stays from 2 weeks to 2 months are available through our karma yoga program. To join our mailing list for weekly updates on our programs and events, email macenterchicago@ammagroups.org.

MA Center Chicago is approximately 45 minutes from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, about an hour from Chicago Midway International Airport, and just minutes by car from the La Fox and Elburn Metra train stations. For additional information, visit our Local Guides pages to learn more. For more information about year-round programs and activities at MA Center Chicago, including spiritual programs, scriptural classes, guided meditation sessions, youth programs, selfless service projects, and our restoring harmony in nature initiatives, visit our events page, follow us on Facebook or email us at macenterchicago@ammagroups.org.