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
May
17
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 Saturdays for a community satsang, which starts with group archana at 4pm, and is typically followed by bhajans, arati, and meditation from 5pm onward... more ›
Friday
May
23
A Multi-Day Event
Weekend Silent Retreat with Swamiji & Swamini Ready to register for the retreat? Sign up here. We live in a world of turbulence and turmoil, constantly bombarded by the chatter of our gadgets and minds. Understanding our need to shut out this... more ›
Saturday
May
24
7:00am - 9:00am
Swamini Ambikamrita Prana will perform an auspicious Homa (sacred fire ceremony) on Sunday, May 24th, starting at 7:15 am at MA Center Chicago, in the brick building behind the darshan hall.  Homa, or Puja, is ceremonial worship of the Divine, performed to keep us in harmony with cosmic forces,... more ›
Saturday
May
24
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
24
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
May
24
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
May
24
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
May
24
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 ›
Saturday
May
31
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
31
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