Houston Awaits “On a Quest” Screening

By Padmashree Rao

HOUSTON: There is eager anticipation in the air as May 30, the date for the premiere of “On a Quest” in Houston, approaches. The much-acclaimed biopic of Swami Chinmayananda, who is revered as Pujya Gurudev by Chinmaya Mission worldwide, promises to be an inspiring, introspective journey. It will be a nostalgic reminder for those who met and interacted with the spiritual Master. And, it promises to capture the minds and hearts of a great majority of people who know of His teachings only through the published vast legacy of his books, recordings, and video lectures.

As part of the global launch of the Chinmaya Birth Centenary Celebrations (2015-16), Chinmaya Mission Houston invites the greater Houston community for an unforgettable glimpse at the transformational journey of a revolutionary skeptic journalist who heralded a modern spiritual renaissance.

The movie is a beautiful and poignant depiction of a seeker who evolved through many different identities before he finally found himself; or, to be accurate, before he realized the Self. It is a story with many turning points in which a precocious Balakrishnan (PBK) Menon grows into a fierce and fashionable atheist youth drawn to literature and law, and becomes a passionate freedom-fighter in the struggle for India’s independence. Later, he emerges as a restless journalist, whose sharp mind and pen sets forth to expose “the bluff of the swamis.”

Arriving at Rishikesh, Himalayas, with relentless curiosity, PBK Menon is intrigued by the humble lifestyle of service and contemplation in the ashram of Swami Sivananda. Thereon begins a soul-stirring transformation which culminates in a memorable sanyasa deeksha, presenting to the world, Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati.

In search of the Highest Truth, Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda climbs higher and higher up the slope of Vedantic philosophy to learn from the great Master Swami Tapovanam, who lived in great austerity amid the splendor of the Himalayas.

One afternoon’s dream on the banks of Mother Ganga sets the revolutionary Swami Chinmayananda on yet another quest. Determined to reintroduce the wisdom of the Hindu scriptures to the anglicized educated people of free India, the energetic Swami undertakes a divine mission. Using his mastery of the English language, his unbeatable logic of spirituality, and tongue-in-cheek humor, the unconventional Swami begins to travel across India and the world, breaking tradition and bringing the Holy Gita and Upanishads directly to the masses. From a handful to later tens of thousands, people flock to the commanding presence in flaming orange whose booming voice and animated explanations systematically dispels their doubts, opening doors for maximum people toward maximum happiness for decades to follow.

‘On a Quest’ is not about preaching religion and but about a daring pursuit for Truth that transformed an ordinary man into a towering modern Sage. So, prepare to embark ‘On a Quest’ – a shared insight that will inspire our own inward journey.
Chinmaya Mission invites all to the special screenings of a biopic about Swami Chinmayananada, “On a Quest,” on May 30th and June 7th at 3:15pm at the AMC Dunvale. The movie portrays the unconventional life journey and an unforgettable glimpse of a great Master, Buy your tickets online at www.chinmayahouston.org/onaquest .Ticket availability is limited, so we encourage you to purchase soon.

For more information, please visit www.chinmayahouston.org or contact Jay Deshmukh 832-541-0059.