Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya
Resident Teacher
Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya currently serves as the resident Vedanta teacher for Chinmaya Mission New York. She has been greatly inspired by the life and teachings of Swami Chinmayananda.
She started her journey with Chinmaya Mission as a Bala Vihar child in Manila, Philippines, and later on as a CHYK (Chinmaya Yuva Kendra) when her family immigrated to New York. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and went on to work in the fashion industry for several years. Yearning to find her true calling, she decided to take a sabbatical and joined YEP (Youth Empowerment Program) where she applied her creative mind towards many projects, including supporting script-writing of a biopic on the life of Swami Chinmayananda, On a Quest. Her engagement in seva (selfless service) and satsang (wise company) inspired her to pursue the 2 year Vedanta Course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai. In 2016, she completed the course and was initiated as Brahmacharini Shubhani Chaitanya.
Shubhaniji brings a natural wisdom and compassion to her classes that touches the hearts of children, young professionals and families and seniors alike. She conducts classes on Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and other Vedantic texts, oversees Bala Vihar programs across the greater New York area, and leads seekers to deepen their sadhana (spiritual practice) through weekly Gayatri Japa sessions and weekend-long retreats. She currently serves as CHYK West coordinator for the East Coast, and continues to apply her creative mind to special projects, recently leading a team to publish The Woman Seeker, a book about the inspiring lives of women on the path to Enlightenment.
Shri George Romney
Resident Teacher
Shri George is a practicing psychotherapist in New York City who has been leading Vedanta study groups since he met Guru Dev, Swami Chimayananda ji in 1990- 1991.
He has the unique ability of explaining the concepts of Vedanta through Chinmaya Mission’s prescribed texts. He creates and sustains interest in his students from multi-cultural backgrounds to pursue sincere study of Vedanta for their self-improvement.
Shri George Romney conducts various study groups in and around New York.
Shri Jatin Kapadia
Resident Teacher
Dr. Jatin Kapadia is a pediatrician in Hempstead, New York and has been in practice for over four decades. A long time disciple of Acharya Krishna Moorthy, Dr. Kapadia has been conducting Vedanta study groups in various locations since past several years. He has also been giving talks at different temples on the Bhagavad Gita, Bhaja Govindam, Atma Bodha, and other topics such as ‘Effective Parenting through Vedanta.”
Sushri Lakshmi Kapadia
Resident Teacher
Sushri Lakshmi Kapadia is a retired physician. She has been an active member of the Chinmaya Mission for the last 25 years. Lakshmi ji is currently completing the 2 year Vedanta course in Trinidad. She will return to teach Bala Vihar and be a sevak for the Mission.
Late Br. Krishna Moorthy
Founding Teacher
Brahmachari Krishna Moorthy, lovingly called “Swami in White” by Revered Gurudev and his students, was an accomplished scholar of Advaita Vedanta (the highest knowledge of the Hindu Scriptures). He always inspired his audiences by his lectures on religious & cultural topics and successfully held several responsible executive positions under the Chinmaya Mission umbrella since 1963.
An ace executive engineer by background, Krishna Moorthy ji, was a pleasant and dynamic personality. He was a powerful, inspirational speaker who delivered all philosophical and spiritual topics in a simple, logical, and often humorous manner.
Krishna Moorthi ji successfully conducted numerous lecture series, seminars, workshops and meditation sessions for all age groups. Students enjoyed his presentations on the various Indian philosophy books, such as Prakarana Granthas (introductory text books), The Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. His devotional chanting was highly elevating.
Krishnamoorthi ji wrote many articles, drew several cartoons to communicate Vedanta to the masses. He was a regular and popular speaker on RBC radio addressing the listeners on religious, social and communal issues and problems.
He had represented Hinduism at the United Nations Interfaith Prayer meeting in 2004.
Krishna Moorthi ji conducted Vedanta classes at various locations. He also conducted private and public prayer and meditation services, and consuls on Indian rituals and pujas.
Krishna Moorthy ji was dedicated to serving the community. Our dear and respected Krishna Moorthy, passed away peacefully at 5.41 pm on Friday May 31st 2013, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.