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
31
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 Swamini Ambikamrita Prana, starting with group archana at 4PM CT. Swamini typically leads a gentle stretching session and/... more ›
Sunday
Jun
01
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 ›
Saturday
Jun
07
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
Jun
07
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
Jun
14
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
Jun
14
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
Jun
21
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
Jun
21
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
Jun
28
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
Jun
28
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