IAM-35 Meditation Retreat

Saturday - Sunday, March 22nd - 23rd
Mar 22, 2025 6:00am to Mar 23, 2025 3:30pm 

Learn Amma's IAM®-35 at the Chicagoland Integrated Amrita Meditation Retreat
Experience inner peace through IAM-35, a transformative 35-minute daily meditation technique. Conceived by world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), the IAM-35 integrates gentle yoga, breath work, sound, and visualization to harmonize the body, mind, intellect, and heart. There is no fee for this IAM retreat, but you must register in advance. Click here to sign up. 

Swamini Ambikāmrita Prāna, one of Amma’s most senior meditation instructors, will begin the course with an auspicious Homa (sacred fire ceremony), which is open to all. Swamini will also give a talk on meditation and a Q&A session. The retreat will be led by long-time IAM instructors Radha Katz and Anand Kane.

The benefits of regularly practicing the IAM-35 include:

• Enhanced mental clarity
• Improved focus and self-confidence
• Reduced stress and tension
• Deepened compassion and feelings of harmony
• More stability in an ever-changing world

This technique is beneficial for beginners and experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their spiritual practice. Born from Amma's vision for universal spiritual growth, the IAM-35 helps practitioners navigate daily life while fostering inner transformation.

IAM-35 Weekend Retreat Schedule
The retreat schedule includes optional ashram activities open to all participants.

Early Arrivals: Friday, March 21
6:00 pm: White Flower Meditation (Satsang Hall)
6:30 – 7:30 pm: Bhajans (Satsang Hall)
7:30 pm: Dinner and informal gathering of early arrival course participants (Satsang Hall)

Day I: Saturday, March 22
6:00 – 8:00 am: Ganapathy & Planetary Homa by Swamini Ambikāmrita Prāna (hall to be announced)
8:00 – 9:00 am: Breakfast (Satsang Hall)
9:00 am –1:00 pm: Session 1, Orientation & IAM Instruction (Event Hall)
1:00 – 2:00 pm: Lunch (Satsang Hall)
2:00 – 4:00 pm: Session 2, IAM Instruction (Event Hall)
4:00 pm: Ashram Archana and Satsang with Swamini Ambikāmrita Prāna's Talk (Satsang Hall)
7:00 pm: Ashram Community Dinner (Satsang Hall)

Day II: Sunday, March 23
8:00 – 9:00 am: Breakfast (Satsang Hall)
9:00 – 11:00 am: Session 3, IAM Instruction & IAM-35 Refresher (Event Hall)
11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Q&A with Swamini Ambikāmrita Prāna (Event Hall)
12:30 – 1:30 pm: Light Lunch (Satsang Hall)
1:30 – 3:30 pm: Session 4, IAM Instruction & Closing (Event Hall)

Note: Full participation in all four IAM instruction sessions is required for course completion. Swamini's Q&A is open to course participants and to those who attend the 3/23 Refresher.

Additionally, there will be a Ganapathy & Planetary Homa on Saturday, March 22, from 6:00 – 8:00 am with Swamini Ambikāmrita Prāna: All are welcome to attend. You can also choose to register for a sankalpa (spiritual resolve) to be made during the Homa on your behalf or for a loved one. For more information, click here.

There will also be an IAM-35 Refresher on Sunday, March 23, from 9:00 – 11:00 am: Those who have previously completed the full IAM-35 course are welcome to join the class to review the IAM-35. To register, click here. All those who attend the Refresher are invited to stay and attend the Q&A with Swamini.

Saturday
Feb
08
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
Feb
08
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Amma says, "Bhajans are prayers in the form of songs, rich in meaning and full of devotional content." The MACC Bhajan Class meets virtually on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 2:30 to 3:45 pm. This class is offered for those who wish to learn bhajans and study devotional songs and... more ›
Saturday
Feb
08
3:00pm - 4:00pm
"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
Feb
08
4:00pm - 7:30pm
Amma says, "Satsang has the power to turn our minds towards good thoughts. Children, don't waste any opportunity to participate in satsang." Join us Saturday for a community satsang, starting with group archana at 4pm, followed by bhajans, arati, and meditation from 5pm onward. A wholesome... more ›
Sunday
Feb
09
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 ›
Sunday
Feb
09
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Join us for a group viewing of a Rama television series in the MA Center Chicago satsang hall on Sunday at 2 pm CT (except the first Sunday of every month, which is dedicated to... more ›
Sunday
Feb
09
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Join the MA Center Chicago knitting and crocheting group to help people in need of warm hats, scarves, and more. The group meets from 3PM to 5PM on the second and fourth Sunday of each month in the South Lodge Community Room.  All skill levels are welcome, and if you are unable to attend the... more ›
Saturday
Feb
15
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
Feb
15
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
Feb
15
3:00pm - 4:00pm
"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 ›

All are welcome to join the ashram residents for daily spiritual practices in the satsang hall:

WHITE FLOWER MEDITATION

Sunday through Friday at 5:50 pm (starts with 10-minute silent Ma Om meditation)

Amma requests everyone to regularly practice this meditation once or twice a day for the benefit of the entire world. Join us live or via Zoom: https://bit.ly/maccmed 

Meeting ID: 828 7832 9402

Passcode: 092753

One tap mobile

+13092053325,,82878329402#,,,,*092753# US
+13126266799,,82878329402#,,,,*092753# US (Chicago)

EVENING BHAJANS

Sunday-Friday at 6:30 pm (in-person only)

  • Guru Stotram chanting
  • Bhajans (devotional singing)
  • Closing prayers and arati