IAM-35 Meditation Retreat

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

Learn Amma's IAM®-35 at MA Center Chicago
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, and there is a nominal fee for meals. Click here to sign up. 

Swamini Ambikāmrita Prāna, one of Amma’s most senior meditation instructors, will begin the course with archana (devotional chanting). Swamini will also give a talk on meditation and a Q&A session during the retreat. 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. There is a modest fee for meals. 

Early Arrivals: Friday, March 21
6:00 pm: White Flower Meditation (Satsang Hall)
6:30 – 7:30 pm: Bhajans (Satsang Hall)
7:45 pm: Dinner and informal gathering of early arrival course participants (Satsang Hall)

Day I: Saturday, March 22
7:00 – 8:00 am: Archana (devotional chanting) with Swamini Ambikāmrita Prāna (Satsang Hall)
8:00 – 9:00 am: Breakfast (Satsang Hall)
9:00 am –12:30 pm: Session 1, Orientation & IAM Instruction (Event Hall)
12:30 – 2:15 pm: Lunch (Satsang Hall)
2:15 – 3:30 pm: Session 2, IAM Instruction (Event Hall)
4:00 pm: Optional 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 – 12:00 pm: Q&A with Swamini Ambikāmrita Prāna (Event Hall)
12:00 – 12:30 pm: Walking Medidation, Nature Time 
12:30 – 1:15 pm: Light Lunch (Satsang Hall)  
1:15 - 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.

The Ganapathy & Planetary Homa originally scheduled for Saturday, March 22, from 6:00 – 8:00 am with Swamini Ambikāmrita Prāna has been rescheduled to May due to weather conditions anticipated this weekend. 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
Apr
26
10:00am - 12:00pm
A special Sarva Amriteswari Puja will be performed by Pujarini Vaju at MA Center Chicago on Saturday, April 26, at 10 am. Amriteshwari (Goddess of Immortality) symbolizes the Divine Mother as the source of eternal bliss and spiritual liberation. In the context of Amma, Amriteshwari reflects her... more ›
Saturday
Apr
26
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
Apr
26
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
Apr
26
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 for our weekly satsang with Swami Dayamritananda Puri, starting with group archana at 4PM CT, followed by meditation and bhajans with Swamjii, arati... more ›
Sunday
Apr
27
6:00am - 8:30am
"The silence that we acquire through prayer and meditation helps us find peace and true happiness in this noisy world." ~Amma Join us for a Silent Sunday Morning with Swamini Ambikamrita Prana, starting with archana in the MA Center Chicago satsang hall at 6am, followed by chanting the... more ›
Sunday
Apr
27
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
Apr
27
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
May
03
A Multi-Day Event
Register for our two-day Amrita Yoga retreat with Amrita Yoga instructors Jagruti, Devika, and Punita. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/tjod22ceNkAwJhreA Once you register, please pay your registration fee of $108 per participant ... more ›
Saturday
May
03
10:30am - 12:00pm
Location: South Lodge Community Room at MA Center Chicago Join us Saturday mornings for an open yoga class with simple, gentle Amrita Yoga postures/asanas. No prior experience or training in Amrita Yoga is necessary.  "The purpose of Yoga is for our inner well-being. It does not belong to any... more ›
Saturday
May
03
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 ›

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