Established in 1953 by individuals dedicated to His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda, the Chinmaya Mission West provides tools to realize that the key to life is wisdom. It does this through educational, charitable, and spiritual activities, reaching those in India and across the globe. With its headquarters in Mumbai, the organization currently has more than 300 centers worldwide.
Each year, the Chinmaya Mission West hosts events for members to gather, share ideas, and enlighten each other. From June 15 through 22, 2015, the Vedanta Camp occurs in Piercy, California, at the Krishnalaya Retreat. At this adults-only gathering, attendees study, reflect, and bask in solitude to achieve harmony among the redwood trees and rolling hills. They practice different types of yoga, including bhakti, jnana, and karma. For meals, only vegetarian fare is available.