Swami Amritaswarupananda at MA Center Chicago

Aug 7, 2026 6:30am to Aug 9, 2026 8:00pm 

Swami Amritaswarupananda will be conducting two retreats and a public program at MA Center Chicago Friday-Sunday, Aug 7-9, 2026. Join us as we gather to celebrate Amma’s message of love and service with Swamiji. 

Planning to attend? Preregistration is required for all programs:

  • Ready to register for the weekend retreat, Sat-Sun, August 8th and 9th? Click here.
  • RSVP for the free public program on Saturday, August 8th here.
  • To register for the one-day AYUDH Youth retreat on Friday, August 7th, click here.

Program Details:

Join us for a special one-day youth retreat, a two-day weekend retreat and a free public program with Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Amma’s most senior disciple, who has traveled the world sharing Amma’s message of love, compassion, and selfless service for nearly four decades. 

Through satsang, spiritual practices, devotional singing, meditation, and time with Swamiji, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Amma’s teachings and discover practical ways to navigate life’s challenges with strength, devotion, and inner clarity.

Retreat Theme: Across Waves to Wonders : The Hanuman Within

Whether material or spiritual, ‘moving forward' is essential. Major religious texts emphasize this. Stagnation hinders success. Flow is natural to creation. Living in harmony with nature promotes overall well-being. Life brings unexpected challenges. To face them without fear, depression, or anxiety, we need grace, the grace already inherent within us. Let’s explore our potential through Amma’s teachings, scriptures, and Swamiji's experiences with Amma, uncovering the invincible Hanuman within.

Venue for all programs:

MA Center Chicago
41W501 Keslinger Road
Elburn, IL 60119
na.amma.org/chicago
macenterchicago@ammagroups.org

AYUDH Youth Retreat Registration Fees
$25 per registrant
Children 12 and under are free

To register for the one-day AYUDH Youth retreat on Friday, August 7th, click here.

Weekend Retreat Registration Fees

Adult (18+): $150
Second Adult (18+): $100*
Students (18+): $50
Teens and Children (17 and under): Free
* One registration may include a maximum of two adults.
Late Registration Fee: A late registration fee of $20 per person will be added beginning at 12:01 AM on August 3, 2026.

To register for the weekend retreat, Sat-Sun, August 8th and 9th, click here.

Need accommodations? Email macclodging@macenters.org to request shared onsite accommodations at MA Center Chicago (for a separate nominal fee). Please note: space is very limited. Area hotel information and discounts can be found on our Local Guides page here. We highly recommend checking Booking.com, which has many options at great prices.

Public Program Details:

Saturday, August 9 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM - seating opens at 4:30 PM

This public program is open to everyone and will include:

  • Satsang (spiritual talk)
  • Bhajans (devotional singing)
  • Meditation
  • Light Dinner

Although the Saturday evening program is free, pre-registration is required. RSVP for the free public program on Saturday, August 8th here.

If you have any questions, please contact us at macc.retreats@macenters.org.
For more information about Swamiji's 2026 North America tour, click here.

We look forward to welcoming you to MA Center Chicago.

Saturday
Jul
18
8:00am - 9:00am
Location: MA Center Chicago Yoga Shala (underneath the satsang hall) Join us Tuesday and 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... more ›
Saturday
Jul
18
9:30am - 7:30pm
This is the big seva day to get MACC ready for Swamiji's programs, and we need everyone's help. Please plan to join us all day if possible for gardening, cleaning, and everything else needed as we lovingly prepare MA Center Chicago for Swamiji's upcoming programs. Lunch will be served to all... more ›
Saturday
Jul
18
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
Jul
18
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 ›
Sunday
Jul
19
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 when she is here), starting with archana in the MA Center Chicago satsang hall at 6am, followed by... more ›
Sunday
Jul
19
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Join the MA Center Chicago knit and crochet group to help people in need of warm hats, scarves, and more. The group meets from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm 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 ›
Tuesday
Jul
21
8:00am - 9:00am
Location: MA Center Chicago Yoga Shala (underneath the satsang hall) Join us Tuesday and 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... more ›
Tuesday
Jul
21
4:00pm - 5:00pm
The purpose of Yoga is for our inner well-being. It does not belong to any particular faith or religion. It was passed on to us by the ancient seers for the well-being of humanity.  Yoga helps us reconnect with nature and eventually become one with God. - Amma Please join us for gentle chair yoga... more ›
Saturday
Jul
25
8:00am - 9:00am
Location: MA Center Chicago Yoga Shala (underneath the satsang hall) Join us Tuesday and 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... more ›
Saturday
Jul
25
8:30am - 6:00pm
Note: Due to this Saturday being the 4th of July, we're planning to end by 6:00pm, which will allow people to depart in time to attend 4th of July celebrations. No dinner will be served this Saturday.
  Community Seva and Satsang "To receive the opportunity to do Seva (selfless service) and... more ›

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

WHITE FLOWER MEDITATION

Sunday through Friday at 6:00 pm

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